Who could replace Martinez ?

[Latchford78]

Really?

Coleman finally started to look a solid defender whist also becoming the most threatening attacking right back in the league.

Stones came from nowhere and with every passing game improved and grew in stature to the point his was on the cusp of a place in England's World Cup squad after only a handful of appearances.

Barry came in and finally we'd found someone to hold the midfield tother that we'd all thought Fellaini was bought for 5 years previous.

McCarthy arrived and immediately showed how lacking we've been for years in a dynamic all action midfield player who could grab a game by the scruff of the neck and dominate the opposition.

Deulfoeu turned up and provided us with the pace and trickery of a winger that we've probably not seen since Kanchelskis.

Barkley went from an kid in the reserves who wasn't trusted to a vital cog in how Martinez wanted to play the game.

Lukaku arrived and gave us the goal threat we've not had since Yakubu did his achilles 5 years ago.

Now none of them were Moyes players and they all arrived for less than than what we sold Fellaini for and all of them were vital players in us finishing with a record points total Moyes was never close to achieving. I liked Moyes, I still think he did a good job for us and we shouldn't hold any grudges against him, but there's no way he'd have done that last year and there's no way a team can manage itself.

Credit where credits due Martinez did a great job last year in his first season, he took over a good team and made it better in the way he managed it. He also had us playing the sort of football people were gushing over and we recieved plaudits from everyone, he won over a dubious fan base and brought a freshness and a positivity to the squad and club.

In short your talking bollocks.

So why are we so crap now then?

 

[mglennon]

4 of our starting XI last yr and past it now simples

Dustbin
jags
Barry
Howard

Inicidently all in defensive areas, weird that

 

[Dithering Dougie]

So why are we so crap now then?

Poor pres season meant we have never looked fit enough, which could also explain our injury crisis and which has clearly effected the teams confidence.

Getting players back and fit would be a big boost, and a couple of tough wins should see some confidence return. We're not the only team to suffer a poor run, Southampton and the RS have been on bad runs recently (and others will at some point) we just need to turn it around like they have and steadily start climbing the table.

 

[Moomin]

Poor pres season meant we have never looked fit enough, which could also explain our injury crisis and which has clearly effected the teams confidence.

Getting players back and fit would be a big boost, and a couple of tough wins should see some confidence return. We're not the only team to suffer a poor run, Southampton and the RS have been on bad runs recently (and others will at some point) we just need to turn it around like they have and steadily start climbing the table.

Correct, Southampton played a few decent teams and lost. Confidence was low and Burnley even beat them. Luckily enough though, we turned up for us to roll over and let them tickle our belly.

 

[PhilM]

4 of our starting XI last yr and past it now simples

Dustbin
jags
Barry
Howard

Inicidently all in defensive areas, weird that

I would argue that neither Jags or Howard are past it. They are (or were in Howard's case) struggling, but I see it as a result of other factors.

Namely, both being reliant on other players next / in front of tem to perform at an optimum level. Without suitable players they look short.

Jagielka has always flourished when he's had a suitable partner to assist him; he relies on a partnership to show his own merits.

Arguably his best season for the club was with Lescott, a player who would sweep up any errors for him. At this time he looked comfortable.

Equally the two previous seasons before this current term, Jagielka had Distin's legs as cover. Distin regularly swept up any errors with his pace.

Jagielka is a 'good' defender in his own rights, but I've always believed that he needed someone to cover his back with regards to pace.

Now Distin's has the legs of a paraplegic Phil is again starting to look shaky, yet with Stones next to him he seems far more comfortable.

It's not the sign of a great player in his own right if you require a certain player next to you, but with the right combination he performs.

Howard is the same. He's a great shot stopper, however he isn't a 'great' keeper: doesn't command his area; poor distribution; not very vocal.

When the defence are working well together, he often thrives (last season?). They sweep up and you're confident he'll make the save if needed.

Unfortunately, they're now all over the place and it shows him. Too many times the ball is getting into the area and it's overbearing him.

He should be commanding and cajoling his defence, providing some form of leadership and stability to the lads, but he isn't.

When the defence gains some stability, I think you'll 'miraculously' seen an improvement in Tim as well. Again, not a sign of a great player.

With regards to Barry, I'm still undecided what the root cause is. Is he missing McCarthy (as above)? Has he lost his passion? Is he past it?

It would be easy to label him with the two other categories, but his body movement during games tends to sway me towards his mentality.

He came he as he believed he could flourish in a team which is challenging on some fronts; something we're not really offering. Disappointment?

On the other hand, Distin is just past it. The day he lost his pace was the day his Premier League career should have ended.

 

[BernieWright13]

Poor pres season meant we have never looked fit enough, which could also explain our injury crisis and which has clearly effected the teams confidence.

Getting players back and fit would be a big boost, and a couple of tough wins should see some confidence return. We're not the only team to suffer a poor run, Southampton and the RS have been on bad runs recently (and others will at some point) we just need to turn it around like they have and steadily start climbing the table.

Pardon my ignorance here but what was the problem with our preseason? I've heard this quoted a few times as a supposed cause of current problems.

 

[Del]

Blame the players when the main culprit is the Manager

 

[PhilM]

We're not the only team to suffer a poor run, Southampton and the RS have been on bad runs recently (and others will at some point) we just need to turn it around like they have and steadily start climbing the table.

I agree that other teams have been on poor runs of form, so this offers some level of optimism. Hopefully we can start a good run.

However, our poor run has not been against the calibre of teams which Southampton faced, and Liverpool's was no where near as severe.

Our confidence and performances is very low. We've also got a fairly difficult run of games to come up when you consider new appointments etc.

I'm not saying we will not turn it round, as I am confident that eventually we shall, but being honest we have a much more difficult task.

I am trying to maintain my usually optimistic view on life and football, but the realism of the situation is casting a heavy shadow.

 

[mrb85]

Pardon my ignorance here but what was the problem with our preseason? I've heard this quoted a few times as a supposed cause of current problems.

Where were you over the summer......

 

[mrb85]

Loathe as I am to see another Scot in charge, how about Strachan?

 

[BernieWright13]

Where were you over the summer......

On a long holiday. Where were you?

 

[WA Toffee]

Conversely, how many of those still supporting Martinez on the back of his 'success' in the Europa League were at the start of the season saying we should ignore that competition to concentrate on PL performance?

Yep, temperamental bunch, aren't we

 

[Kev The Rat]

Loathe as I am to see another Scot in charge, how about Strachan?

At this point id take any experienced manager to get shot of Martinez.

 

[WA Toffee]

Do people seriously think we are going to get relegated? I'm willing to lay a wager that we won't. Loser of the bet has to have this picture as their avatar for a year. Any takers?

People talking relegation again. Any takers to this bet yet?

 

[Shagster]

Pardon my ignorance here but what was the problem with our preseason? I've heard this quoted a few times as a supposed cause of current problems.

I think some people were critical of Martinez swanning about in Brazil and suspected this may have distracted him from the task of planning pre season - although most of the bigger fixtures are planned by then. Added to that these mysterious extra behind closed doors games which added to the sense of under preparedness.

I distinctly remember some being concerned by the performance levels in pre season but being reassured by others that pre season games don't mean anything........