22 Nov 2015 22:03:27
I think we've got one of the best sides in the league this season, 3 class left backs (including garbutt) , best centre half in the league, Mori looking class, one of the best right backs, mcarthy's getting back to his best, got to give barry credit this season, lukaku's on fire, deulofeu is unplayable, barkleys doing his bit, Miralles can't get a game.
We need to qualify for Champions League this season so we can keep this team together, otherwise we lose Stones and Lukaku and back to square one. It's now or never.
{Ed033's Note - Unfortunately, Martinez isn't the man to have as manager to get 4th place. Maybe Everton fans should ask for Claudio Ranieri to be Everton manager at the end of this season?
22 Nov 2015 23:02:31
You may have spoken too soon Ed033. Leicester are doing brilliant now. Still along time till May. Leaking too many goals to sustain the momentum till the end of season for me.
Still at the same time fair play to them. Who would of thought it in August? Chelsea sixth from bottom and Leicester top of the league at the end of Nov. The world has turned upside down.
God knows how this season will end. Especially with the way its developing at the moment.
{Ed033's Note - What i'm really saying is that Claudio Ranieri could of possibly got Everton into the top 4 this season but Martinez won't.
23 Nov 2015 06:33:16
I wanted rid of Martinez last season because he was stubborn and wouldn't change his tactics, now that he's got a grip and realized we're better suited playing direct footy, don't see why he can't lead us to top 4.
23 Nov 2015 09:36:41
Looks like he has as good a chance as anyone to do just that. Round Christmas I can only see us higher up the league with the opposition we are playing.
Can't see us slipping. We've too many of the top teams played. So hopefully its onwards and upwards from here.
23 Nov 2015 10:53:07
I hate it when we are all optimistic ha ha, usually comes and bites us in the backside.
23 Nov 2015 10:58:12
Players such as Del Boy, Mirallas, Lennon and Barkley need to be running at the opposition, seems Martinez has finally realised this. The more cynical amongst us would think Roberto and/or his advisors read these pages.
23 Nov 2015 14:09:52
I know Murf1000 I rather the expectation that comes with being underdogs. It is no means guaranteed we'll get top 4. Very competitive this year. If Everton finish 5th it wouldn't be a bad finish.
Obviously hoping top 4 but 5th would be a lot better than last season. Look at Spurs yesterday. They along with Utd, City, and Arsenal would be big contenders for top 4.
23 Nov 2015 15:05:33
I'm still unsure about Martinez but we have to give him credit when it's deserved, god knows we give him stick when things haven't been going well. Considering the teams we had to play in the first ten games, we have been ticking along nicely I'd say.
Between now and the turn of the year, we have plenty of winnable games so if we get a decent run together then there is no reason why we can't compete for the top four. As others have stated, the stubbornness of RM has not reared its head and he has got us playing some decent stuff with some of the leagues young and exciting players. Ed033, there is certainly no reason why we can't aim for top four, even with RM at the helm.
{Ed033's Note - Sure, keep aiming at top 4 all you like with RM. This year top 4 was up for grabs for half the premier league as all teams have been playing particularly poorly for one reason or another most matches.
23 Nov 2015 17:20:41
Well its kind of a given that City, Utd and Arsenal will finish top 4. That leaves one champions league spot and one Europa for 5th.
You have Spurs, Reds, Southampton, West Ham and even Leicester competing for 4th and 5th. Wouldn't even be surprised if Chelsea make a last surge to nip in. Once they start winning there will be no stopping them.
Imo we are as good if not a better squad than any of them. Can't really see anyone else challenging other than them. Maybe Crystal Palace, Stoke or Swansea but I don't think so.
We have as strong and good depth to our squad as we have had in a long time. I know some people won't want us to get into Europa league but I hope we do. We need to keep improving and it would be a step in right direction for me.
Not fully convinced by Martinez either but is doing very well so far this season in my opinion. 2 or 3 games he might of been able to do better but that's max. He done brilliantly with his approach to all the other games.
4th or 5th this season? Very much a possibility if you ask me.
{Ed025's Note - spurs look good for that 4th spot at the moment NBTB, but im not ruling us out just yet mate..
23 Nov 2015 19:07:19
Maybe I'm missing something here ed033 but your reply kind of contradicted itself for me. To say we won't get top four with RM in charge but then agree a top four place is up for grabs because most teams are playing poorly? Every team in the top half will aim for top four, some have more chance of attaining it than others. We have a young and, at times, exciting team with a bit of depth for the first time in a while. It would be daft to rule us out at this stage but there is obviously a lot of points to play for.
{Ed033's Note - What i'm saying is, "Martinez isn't the man to have as manager to get 4th place."
23 Nov 2015 23:01:32
You may be right Ed033. We won't know till May. Imo we have good chance of finishing in top 5. Be disappointed if we finish any lower.