This week we welcome Labour councillor for Tooting, and Everton fan, Ben Johnson to LFW for his opinions on the Toffees’ below-par season to date.
Everton seem to have regressed a little from the heights of last season, what's gone wrong or changed?
Ben: We're finding it harder to win games and I think it's a combination of a few things, including a bit of a lack of tactical adaptability, poor defensive performances and injuries. A lot of teams we beat comfortably last year are pressing us high up the pitch and closing down our creativity. We don't seem to find enough alternatives when the space isn't there; you don't see us quickly switch to a more direct or counter-attacking style when it might work. Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin just aren't the pairing they were last season, and I think most Blues would agree that Distin's age is finally catching up with him.
Any blame being apportioned by supporters just yet? Any unrest?
Ben: No, not really. It's been a frustrating few months in the league, but we've sailed through the Europa League group stage, and I think most Evertonians are still pretty positive about the direction in which we're heading with Roberto Martinez.
What do you make of the job Martinez has done overall? He seems to be getting questioned a bit now for the first time given your indifferent form.
Ben: He's improved the side that he inherited, no doubt. And he's got us playing great football, generally. But like I said, it'd be nice to see him show a bit of adaptability, tell the lads not to be afraid to move the ball forward a bit more quickly when moving it around isn't working, to go for goal a bit more.
Is the Europa League at the root of the problems here? Everton haven't made Europe often of late, what is your attitude to a competition that it seems universally agreed damages your league form.
Ben: Probably a bit, we do have more depth these days but there's been a slightly troubling spate of hamstring injuries, and with both Alcaraz and Kone looking like they're made of balsa wood I think it's going to take a few more reinforcements before we can realistically compete in Europe and at home to the same level. But it's great being back in Europe - the recent trips to Wolfsburg and Lille were great for the fans (dangerously bad policing in Lille aside) - and I don't know many Blues who aren't happy to be involved in that.
Where is the team strong and where is it weak?
We've got a really strong core through the middle. Gareth Barry and James McCarthy are formidable and Besic looks like being a great long term replacement for Barry. Ross Barkley is only going to get better, as is Romelu Lukaku (once he learns to control the ball and play with his back to goal a little better), and it's a real treat to watch Samuel Eto'o play for us. Sreven Naismith is brilliant on his day as an alternative to Barkley behind Lukaku or Eto'o. The main weakness is in the centre of defence as mentioned above. John Stones is already looking like first choice when he's fit, ahead of Distin, but we can't just rely on him and Jags - Alacaraz is never fit, Brendan Galloway not quite ready.
Who or what do you need in January? Any names being mentioned?
A quality, experienced centre-half, and ideally another wide player - Steven Pienaar, who's been brilliant for us over the years, is fading and in particular we need a bit of competition on the left.
Short, medium and long term aims for the club?
I think we can progress a long way in the Europa Cup, and really we should be finishing top six again this season though we're struggling a bit at the moment. Medium term to invest in the squad to bring the depth that'll allow us to compete in Europe while pushing the top four. Long term to break into the top four, with either a new stadium or (even better) a redeveloped Goodison.
The Twitter @loftforwords, @CllrBenJohnson
Pictures — Action Images