Can we all stop underrating Everton? Discounted in the press, and rarely mentioned as a threat by rival managers, Roberto Martinez’s team could be the one to upset the established order at the top of the Premier League this season.
Yes, I’m as blue-nosed as they come, but we Everton fans are generally notoriously cautious in our hopes for the season.
However, on the back of going so close to the Champions’ League spots last season, and having shored up our squad by converting loans to permanent deals, players coming back from long-term injuries and the promise of a couple more signings before the close of the transfer window, I feel like we deserve a bit more credit.
I don’t know how many articles I have read with quotes from the likes of Mourinho, Pellegrini, Van Gaal, Wenger and Rodgers, where Everton is the name left out of the conversation when it comes to the fight for Champions League football. Hell, even Tottenham get a mention from most.
The press haven’t been much better. A recent example was Sachin Nakrani, a football journalist for whom I have a lot of respect, commenting on Arsenal’s record against the top six teams last seasons where he mentioned their inability to beat Chelsea either home or away and their losses away to both Merseyside clubs.
His unfortunate oversight was that not only did Everton dominate Arsenal in a 3-0 victory at Goodison Park, but that they also came away with a creditable 1-1 draw at the Emirates, putting them in the same category as Chelsea in this regard. It is maybe nit-picking, but it is not the only occasion on which Everton have been discounted by the press.
All of this would not feel as jarring but for the inclusion of Tottenham as a contender for the top four in Everton’s stead.
That a team who are chronic underperformers, containing a number of high-profile, high-cost flops, and exhibiting a complete lack of managerial continuity under Daniel Levy – now on their eleventh manager in less than 15 years – are rated more highly than a team with a clear football philosophy, quality squad and, above all else, a extremely healthy team culture, is just a little perplexing.
Yes, there is the issue of finances, but Everton have shown financial muscle in the permanent signing of Romelu Lukaku, and last year’s loan signings of Lukaku, Gareth Barry and Gerard Deulofeu have shown that Martinez is as astute in playing the loan market as he is in implementing attractive and effective football.
However, what I feel is key to Everton’s challenge on the Champions League spots is the team’s culture.
Roberto Martinez has a way with players. Those that buy into his methods will always feel valued, and while Nikica Jelavic has gone on to perform well for Hull, you can’t help but think that moving him on was a good worth it, considering his reluctance to buy into Martinez’s team work ethic.
Squad harmony is paramount to Martinez’s plans, and how he manages a team rotation policy while balancing the demands of the league, cups and European football will be a further test of his man-management credentials.
He has taken steps to secure, and boost the confidence of, his younger players, recognising Ross Barkley’s, John Stones’ and Seamus Coleman’s growing importance to the first team with new improved contracts, with James McCarthy looking likely to also be offered improved terms.
He is lucky to have in his squad the elder statesmen of Leon Osman and Tony Hibbert, both one-club men who, while not certain starters anymore, provide a positive influence for the younger players around them. Add to that the commanding presence of Phil Jagielka, Sylvain Distin and Gareth Barry and our exciting youngsters have some seriously cool, experienced heads around to ground them.
Our squad depth is often cited as a worry. However the same could be said for Manchester United. Van Gaal’s favoured 3-5-2 requires the signing of at least one experienced centre back with Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Johnny Evans the only recognised centre-halves, and none of them having shown the ability to maintain consistency for a whole season.
Where they are lacking in defensive options, we are probably least well stocked up front. The return of Arouna Kone provides some cover for Lukaku, and while he’s got a fair bit of stick from the fans, he is ready, willing and Martinez has previously brought out the best in him during their time together at Wigan.
Steven Naismith is another make-shift option, though he is probably better operating in behind. Putting aside the position of striker, Everton are looking better stocked than last year in most positions. There is the prospect of another winger, and possibly another forward, being signed before the window is out.
We have four capable centre-backs, with Stones and Shane Duffy deputising for Jagielka and Distin, and with the return of Darron Gibson and the signings of Barry and Muhamed Besic we’re now well stocked in central midfield.
Baines and Coleman have able deputies in Bryan Oviedo and Hibbert, with Oviedo also able to provide cover on the left wing if needed. Barkley, Naismith, Mirallas and Osman are all capable in the No. 10 position. Overall, it looks like the most well-rounded Everton squad in recent memory.
So why are we being discounted as challengers for the top four? Spurs have not strengthened greatly and neither have Manchester United, who have lost three of their most experienced defenders in Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra.
Managerial upheavals at both clubs may be positive steps considering their performance last season, but no one stops to consider that now, with a season of Martinez’s methods under their belts, Everton’s squad will be ready to push on.
Other than Besic, everyone is now very familiar with the team’s style and feels comfortable with the Martinez’s philosophies. Liverpool have lost their talismanic front-man, and while they have strengthened in midfield and defence there is little to suggest they will be any stronger than last year.
This season has the potential to provide one of the tightest races for the title and for the Champions League places in Premier League history. The managerial merry-go-round has yielded a situation where the top seven teams from last season have men at the helm known for their tactical acumen.
Van Gaal, Wenger, Mourinho and Pellegrini have all been labelled world class, while Rodgers, Martinez and Pochettino can reasonably be described as some of the most exciting young managers in Europe. That a team that finished fifth last term, in their first season with a new manager, and has consolidated their position by making important signings and providing established first-teamers with new contracts is left out of the equation seems naive at best.
Overachievement was the mantra under David Moyes, but really, the appointment of Martinez has shown what Everton are really capable of under a more tactically astute manager. Gone are the fears of our luck finally running out, now replaced with optimism that this grand old team will rise again.
Everton fans have taken notice and given credit where credit is due – even to the man we love to hate, Everton’s owner Bill Kenwright. It is time the footballing community and press did likewise.
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