Finishing in a below average 11th position in their league campaign and failing to progress past the third round of both the FA and Capital One Cup, the 2014/15 season was hugely underwhelming for Everton Football Club.
One of the only positives to come out of it was reaching the Europa League for the first time since 2010, which also came to an early end after losing to Dynamo Kiev in the round of 16.
The fans were dissatisfied and called for improvement; some persisting with the continuous ‘new owners’ argument, others questioning the position of Roberto Martinez, despite only being in charge for two seasons – but such is the way of Premier League management nowadays.
Toffees tend to give manager's time
Everton, however, are renowned for giving their managers a chance, with an average manager tenure of 1,957 days, so it looked unlikely that the Catalonian would be leaving Goodison Park any time soon. However, skip ahead to December 2015, and Everton have only acquired five points from a possible 15; two draws against Crystal Palace and Norwich City followed the draw against Bournemouth at the end of November – all games the toffees should have won on paper, frustrating losses to Leicester City and Stoke City (both due to penalty kicks), and only one narrow win against Newcastle United.
Now there are growing calls for Everton’s manager to part ways with their club, as they sit 10th in the Premier League table. But, can Martinez’s team’s problems be fixed to compliment the attractive attacking play on display?
Magical attack not getting the support it needs
If your team scores 35 goals yet only wins six games out of 19 thus far, there is clearly something wrong defensively. One of the main reasons Everton are shaky at the back is due to the absence of captain Phil Jagielka. The England international picked up a long term injury in late October, and is set to return in the new year. Jagielka’s professionalism and leadership qualities have seen him play for Everton 252 times, captaining the club for three seasons.
Jagielka is one of few over 30 year olds that are considered valuable first team members at Everton, all of who’s experience is pivotal for teaching and developing the young, talented squad that the toffees posses.
John Stones has built a strong partnership with the captain over the past two seasons, with Jagielka’s compatriot undoubtedly learning and adapting to Everton’s style of play from playing alongside him. With Jagielka out, the Summer signing from River Plate, Ramiro Funes Mori has taken his spot, which has proved damaging for Martinez’s side.
In a new country with no Premier League experience, the Argentine had some acclimatising to do – and despite some good individual performances, the lack of experienced defenders with the void left by injured Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines left the 24 year old the oldest defender in the back four – a huge burden for a new player.
Howard must come under scrutiny
With one injured player out causing one problem, one available player causes another. The American veteran Tim Howard has, reasonably, been Everton’s first choice goalkeeper for years, producing some immaculate performances to save Everton from potential worse fates. However, after an eye-catching World Cup in Brazil last year – in which he broke a record for most saves in a game with 15 – Howard has been inconsistent at club level.
Individual errors including ‘star jumping’ over the ball, letting the ball beat him at his near post, missing punches/catches and not commanding his area have lead to a number of avoidable goals, costing valuable points in the tightest season in years – one in which Everton, on paper, should be challenging for a top four position.
Patching up their problems would shift Toffees up a gear
Once patched up however, Everton can be an immaculate side, as demonstrated by their attacking play, spearheaded by the young Romelu Lukaku. The 22 year old has improved his game massively this season, building on what he lacked in the previous couple of years for Everton. Looking at the 6’3 striker, it is clear to see the strength he possesses, giving him the capability of holding up play (which he struggled with last season), outstrengthening defenders, great aerial prowess, and even winning the ball back for his team.
However, the Belgian doesn’t lack pace, skill or agility either; agile one-two’s with team mates followed by spellbinding step overs and topped off with clinical finishing have become a customary sight for Everton fans. The introduction of Gerard Deulofeu has been beneficial for Lukaku; his stupendous footwork leaves the opposing defenders futile, before he can dispatch an enticing cross for Lukaku, who has scored 15 so far this season in the Premier League (joint top scorer). A combination of these two alongside Ross Barkley, who has been equally fantastic, is lethal for their opposition, as the three of them together have 26 goals.
In the grand scheme of things, Everton are underperforming – but it’s not the whole team; the promising attack that Everton have has proven that it is to be feared through clinical finishing, quick passing and great understanding. Yet the team’s great potential – arguably the best Everton team for many years – is currently being wasted through a number of injuries, off form players and weakness at set pieces. The ‘Martinez out’ shouts seem somewhat unrealistic, considering Everton’s attitude towards their managers, but one thing is for sure – Roberto Martinez needs to work on his squad’s defensive duties, whether that is from open play or set pieces. The arrogance shown by the Spaniard is perhaps his downfall, and the Everton faithful are aware of it.
