Labour councillor for Tooting, Warrington exile and Evertonian Ben Johnson gives us his latest thoughts on the state of the Toffees ahead of their visit to Loftus Road on Sunday.
What's gone wrong this season?
BJ: Quite a lot, but mainly it’s been our tactical inflexibility. Last season, we played nice, passing football, and ran rings round even the best teams in the league (though occasionally struggled against some of the less glamourous sides). This season, it seems everyone has figured out that by pressing us high up the pitch and not giving us space to play, we struggle to get the ball forward and can be pressured into mistakes. Despite this, Roberto Martinez has steadfastly refused to adapt, to the frustration of fans — most of whom have been crying out for a more flexible approach. Pretty passing yes, but every so often you need to get a ball forward to Romelu Lukaku or the wide players to run on to, rather than waiting until the top end of the pitch is congested before launching an attack.
Martinez seems to be copping a lot of stick from Everton fans, do the majority want him gone? Is this his fault? What has he got wrong? Do you want him gone?
BJ: I think it all depends on the league run in, how much further we get in Europe (I’m writing this ahead of our second leg against Dynamo Kiev). Evertonians will stick by a manager longer than most Premier League fans I think. Up until the Newcastle game last Sunday, I think quite a lot of fans, myself included, had started believing that things may not get better as long as Martinez is in charge. But, he put two strikers on the pitch, played a slightly more direct attacking game, used Lukaku to his strengths, and we walloped them. It’s frustrating that this has been the kind of change that most fans have wanted to see for the last few months, yet the manager only now seems to have accepted that breaking away from his ‘philosophy’ a little bit can pay dividends. If he stays adaptable and we keep winning, then he’s fine. And it’s worth remembering that Howard Kendall was close to the sack in the 83/84 season, before he turned things around and went on to win us the FA Cup, two league titles and our only European trophy. Clutching at straws…
What sort of names are being mentioned as potential alternatives?
BJ: I genuinely couldn’t say I’ve heard any serious alternatives being touted.
Would a Europa League semi-final or final appearance make up for the poor league position and form?
BJ: This splits opinion, but for me, getting to the final would. It’s still about winning trophies isn’t it? I’d rather see us win the UEFA Cup than the fourth place cup any day. And the away trips in Europe (I made it to Wolfsburg and Lille) are always the highlight of any season when we’re in it.
Who have been the stand out performers?
BJ: Kevin Mirallas has continued to show his quality, although his attitude has been questioned (insisting on taking the penalty — unsuccessfully — against WBA was a particular low point). Some fans have questioned whether Lukaku was worth £28m, but at 21 years old, he’s scored 17 goals so far this season, which is good enough for me. And Muhamed Besic, while not quite an automatic first choice yet, is a quality player and a fine long term replacement for Barry alongside James McCarthy. And John Stones continues to get better and better — now a firm first choice in defence alongside Jagielka.
Who have been the weak links?
BJ: I don’t think you’ll find a blue who wouldn’t say Tim Howard has not been good enough, to the point that many were dumbfounded when, after a run of games in which stand-in Joel Robles showed increasing confidence and ability (and kept several clean sheets), Martinez put the American straight back in on his return from injury. This season should be his last at Everton. The same is true of Sylvan Distin — a great servant to the club, but no longer capable of performing at the top level. A new keeper, and a quality centre half to back up Jagielka and Stones should be top of the transfer hit list this summer.
The Twitter @CllrBenJohnson
Pictures — Action Images