Everton Rumours 27544

23 Jan 2015 18:23:02
I was sitting there today pondering the meaning of life and what it is to support the best football club in the world when I got to thinking about why we've done so well in the Europa League so far this season and so poorly in the Premier League.
My thoughts, for what they're worth, are that this season in Europe is like last season in the Premier League.
Last season (Martinez first season in charge) our new style of play was an unknown quantity. Teams didn't know how to set up against us until the last month or so and so didn't know how to combat us.
This season in Europe (Martinez first season in Europe) we have again been an unknown quantity with teams not knowing how to set up against us.
I'd like to think that Martinez style of play is suited to the continental game where it's more technical than the Premier League and you get more time on the ball but sadly I can't see that happening.
When we return to the Europa League shortly, we'll be up against more seasoned teams with plenty of European experience (assuming we can get past Young Boys first) who will have done their homework on us and realised we don't have a plan B or different style of play, just like the end of last season.
Don't get me wrong, I'd really love us to go all the way in Europe and bring the trophy to Goodison (one of two things would happen then, we give Martinez a life long contract or some mug in Europe poaches him from us) but sadly I just can't see it happening. Right now I'd settle for the season to end with us still in the Premier League, get rid of Martinez and start afresh for next season.
As I said at the start, what it is to support the best club in the world; blooming frustrating and anxious, that's what it is.

  Forever In Blue Gene

{Ed025's Note - count me in on that gene..

The OP might be right, but all clubs thoroughly scout their opponents - at matches and on video - so we shouldn't have been such a surprise. I think it's more a case that luck went for us more last season than it has this season AND I also think that it was the case that our players were content to go with the RM flow last season because they were getting good (albeit lucky) results and reviews. This season the players' confidence seems to have been majorly affected by poor results (whether due to refereeing decisons, injuries, poor form, or whatever) and compounded by the vicious circle of subsequent and continuing criticism from fans and pundits. The players now have a ready-made excuse - whether justified or not - to divert blame from themselves to RM's formation, tactics, and selections.
However, for me, the trouble is also that our players have a history of fragile self-belief - just look at how many time they've failed (bottled it?) in big occasion matches. No wonder so many top managers talk about how vital a winning attitude and strong mentality is for a club to be successful.
RM's positivity should help on that front, but whatever he might portray to the public, it's surely up to each individual player to show that self-belief on and off the field.

Cowpat Sid 2

I agree also

Keenone

And 23rd Jan, no fresh faces, no word from the Chairman, complacency from Roberto, good players being made to look like also rans because they are square pegged into a system Roberto knows fails more than it succeeds.

DuncsMum

It could be worse DM, I've just read that Wigan claim four premiership clubs have inquired about Callum McManaman, WBA and Hull being two, what's the betting we are one of the other two?

Wedgewood

{Ed025's Note - probably wedge..

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