14 Mar 2016 14:22:39
Well I am so pleased with the result yesterday, I am especially pleased for Martinez. Here is why.

1. He drops Stones, when he feels the young centre half is not prioritising defending he puts him on the bench. This takes courage and shows excellent man management to keep the lad content and hungry and what a find in F-M. Gives us the first gutsy EFC performance since 0-0 at City.

2. He maintains a positive approach. OK so this drives some fans and journalists to despair, however what he does not do is point fingers at players and drag everyone down. It is far easier to get angry, annoyed and hand out fines, punishments and laps than stick to your beliefs amongst adversity.

3. He wins the next two Wembley outings and we are in Europa League and have our first trophy in 20 years, judge him after that. It seems an easier (but still terribly difficult) task that with DM against Chelsea.

4. The obsession in the media that we are 'underperforming in the league', so what we are 5 places below 'where we should be'!, we have put together 2 excellent cup runs and if it isn't about striving for cup glory then what is it about, especially for clubs like ours. How much different do we get in terms of cash for 7th vs 12th.?

5. It seems that fans only wanted to see a strong and credible push for 4th spot, only that would avoid finger pointing and unrest. Even if we got it we couldn't guarantee RL/ JS would stay (see Suarez 2013) , and 4th spot still requires qualification as we know all too well.

6. We've got new investors, so let's have a bit of stability to go with that. Which manager do fans want? Mourinho, McClaren?, Allardyce,? Rodgers? . Moyes? Pearson? . Howe? Van Gaal, its no bed of roses out there so be careful what you wish for

Cheltonian Blue.

1.) 14 Mar 2016
14 Mar 2016 15:40:11
Clubs like ours?! I agree with some of what you are saying and don't get me wrong I'd love it if we won a cup, but the league should be the priority and clubs like ours with the squad we have should be challenging for top four, especially the way this season has gone with the so called big four's monopoly seemingly coming to an end. Cup runs do not paper over the cracks of what has been a massively under whelming season in the league. Don't get me wrong credit where it is due he actually got it right on Saturday but he has got it wrong far too many times.

2.) 14 Mar 2016
14 Mar 2016 16:02:28
Also Jak, some name that mate, where did that pop up from.

3.) 14 Mar 2016
14 Mar 2016 17:57:11
At last there are pro-RM fans actually giving reasons instead of sniping at those who aren't happy with his managerial skills, at least it is giving us something to debate between each other. As pleased as I am with the result and a trip to Wembley, let's not get ahead of ourselves before the draw is even made! I'll attempt to address your points
1) He kept JS in the limelight for far too long when it was obvious to us all that he needed time on the sideline. For me, that's not good man management, he was too stubborn to make changes until he was backed into the corner and had to make the change.
2) His positive attitude is a good attribute to have and makes the man quite likeable. However, his ability to answer a question without actually making sense is what some fans and journo's dislike. The man gives Brendan Rodgers a run for his money with the BS count in interviews. On the point of discipline, there will always be members of the squad who act up at times and need sorting out. I hope that he is dealing with such things behind closed doors and I'm also happy that these things aren't being leaked from the locker rooms.
3) We are through to a semi-final and, as great as that is, we haven't won anything yet. Let's see the draw before we get swept away! But credit where it is due, he's done well to get us through. But judging him after winning our first trophy in 21 years would be silly, he's won this cup before but got his team relegated in the same month. How do you think Wigan fans judged him? A trophy is a step in the right direction obviously but that doesn't make him the best in the business does it?
4) There is no obsession, we are simply under performing in the league. Are you happy being 12th? Again? 5 places is worth a couple of quid and is the difference between finishing in the top or bottom half of the league. The latter would mean two bottom half finishes in succession, that is not good enough for a club like ours. Nil satis nisi optimum is ingrained in the clubs DNA after all.
5) Of course we wanted to see a push for 4th spot, every fan of every team want to be a part of the champions league gravy train. The squad we have, on their day, is more than capable of doing so. Plus, with the way the league has gone this season, there hasn't been a better chance to break into that elite group. And we've blown it, big time. That brings finger pointing and unrest and rightly so, the buck stops with the manager imo.
6) The new investor will not want us to be mid-table also rans and, eventually, will bring stability throughout all facets of the club. He didn't make his money by being kind and polite, somewhere inside him will be a ruthless streak, he's no doubt got the minerals to make the tough calls. RM is auditioning for his job right now and has the rest of the season to prove he is the man to move us forward. In regards to who we would like as replacement, I'm not so sure to be honest, a lot would be down to who is available. I think the right man would need experience of Europe to take us to the next level. Time will tell I suppose.
My final thought is that two semi-finals, one possible final, is papering over the cracks. We are a good cup team, our style is well suited to knock out games, but the league is of far more importance. If we don't improve the league form, finish 10th or below and win the cup, that would not be good enough for me.

4.) 14 Mar 2016
14 Mar 2016 18:55:32
Good post that Jak, I agree with a lot mate, just wish we were consistent as its a roller coaster ride every Saturday, we just start to have faith in the guy then he kills that off with his decisions i.e. West Ham, its a hard one this and I wanted him out even if we won but yet again i'm swaying towards him, probably want him out again at the weekend.

I'm going with the flow and see what happens, one for sure though, Mr Moshiri won't be fooled and if RM isn't performing to his liking he will be gone, just look at the extra lengths/approach he went through when investing in us.

goo.gl/B8kc9t

Even though I may not have faith in RM, I have 100% faith in Mr Moshiri, we are about to embark on a new phase in our club.

5.) 14 Mar 2016
14 Mar 2016 18:49:33
Great response spudv

I agree with you on the point of this season being a watershed one.

When the players are almost too good for us to hold on to, there is a small window when the player quality is slightly greater than the current stature of the club or what the club can afford to pay them . This season is that window I agree, and the key thing is that the players will not have the patience that is required to stay and cement next year.

I've no doubt that if they all stayed, with the TV money and a bit from the new investors we could strengthen. Forget fan patience, we ain't going anywhere, its the players that will jump ship.

If RM can persuade the players - with all that optimistic, glinty eyed bravado - to stay, then we owe him at least another season. RM's greatest asset might be his ability to keep together this squad.

{Ed025's Note - a couple of great posts there jak and spud, both with differing views but quality penmanship, its nice to see and very rare that people with a common goal can debate without getting tetchy or abusive, you do yourselves great credit and are an example to others...again well done..

6.) 14 Mar 2016
14 Mar 2016 18:50:12
Love Everton, always will and I am more than happy and will look forward. Problem is because we reached wembley people starting to think rm has changed. The league is more important and always will be. It's papering over the cracks. He has proved he can win, so why has he chosen bad team management and tactics in league.
For me he needs a very strong finish and to win cup, then I think we see what happens afterwards.

{Ed025's Note - i have said before pb that i will sit back and enjoy the rest of the season before calling for heads to roll, im just going to roll with it mate and look forward to wembley and hopefully a trophy..

7.) 14 Mar 2016
14 Mar 2016 19:55:42
Cheers ed and jaka, it's good to see things from a different perspective without histrionics! We all wants best for the club at the end of the day.

{Ed025's Note - thats right spud mate..