Martinez: Kyiv win can provide a turning point
Seasons » 2014-15 » Everton News
by |
13/03/2015
Comments (44) jump
(Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Everton’s manager believes that last night’s win in the Europa League was a microcosm of the team’s domestic season and that it provided an “understanding of what has been going wrong in the League.”
The Blues recovered from a poor start and the concession of an early goal to fight back and beat Dynamo Kyiv 2-1 in the Round of 16 first leg at Goodison Park and Roberto Martinez admitted that the turnaround and the positive result could have big implications for the rest of the campaign.
“It’s had a huge, huge impact [on the squad] because it was a great European night,” he told the media at Finch Farm this afternoon. “I thought in 90 minutes we saw our season. In the first 20 mins we were a little bit fearful we were very slow in our possession, we got a frustrated with it and we conceded from a loss of concentration.
“[Then] we changed completely. We relaxed, and took control of the game, we played with freedom. All of a sudden there was a desire to win the football game and we had an hour where I thought we were fantastic to watch.
“For me it was a turning point in the season in terms of understanding of what’s been going wrong in this campaign, of why we haven’t been able to develop that momentum in the league. It’s [not necessarily anything] technically or tactically, it’s more about a right mental approach and having a real enjoyment and desire to win a football game.”
The 41 year-old was asked what he thought the inflection point was within the game and he pinpointed the increased tempo in his team’s play and a succession of corners after the first quarter of the game as the period of the contest in which Everton’s performance visibly changed.
It wasn’t just one action, it was a combination,” Martinez continued. “All of a sudden our play was quicker and really positive and I think the players started to develop a really strong communication … and that triggered a very strong finish to the first half. The second half allowed us to reset.”
As for how Everton take this result and use it to try and reverse their poor run of results in the Premier League, Martinez explained that the similarities with the game against Dynamo to some of the Blues’ league matches should stand them in good stead:
The games in Europe have been a real freedom from the start. They’ve provided a very different mindset, a completely different way of playing than in the League. I think last night it was very much a contrast where for the first 20 minutes [we were] going back to that fearful position and carrying a lot of responsibility on our shoulders trying to meet expectations. So it was a change during the game; that hasn’t happened before in Europe.
“What happened last night allowed us realise that that has been the problem this season. We don’t want to look back in the league. It’s an opportunity to look forward to the next 30 points that we have and there’s an immense responsibility and immense desire to get give everything we’ve got and to get as many points as we can, starting on Sunday.”
After last night’s audible dissatisfaction with the players performance at the start of the match and the subsequent debate over the role of the home crowd as it relates to the team’s display, the boss was asked how he goes about ensuring that Everton don’t start the Newcastle game as tentatively and slowly as they have other games in recent weeks.
“I think the crowd [ended the Kyiv] game with a real satisfaction and pride with the way we performed,” Martinez continued. “In the beginning we were trying very hard and it wasn’t happening because of our anxiety and I think we’re going to provide a different environment on Sunday. I think there’s a real understanding among our fans that we’re not far away in the league of showing what we’re capable of doing.
“The crowd understands that our dressing room is phenomenal in terms of characters. There is an understanding that we need to support each other. In the same way we know that when we get the crowd going and on their feet, our play increases and we get the benefit from it.
“We know that we have 10 finals and we need to help each other to get the rewards that we want.”
“It should be an advantage to play at home. We know that when we are brave and have a good intensity and tempo about our play then playing at Goodison is an incredible advantage and we need to use that in our favour.”
Though he again referred to the hugely negative impact that the first three games of the season had on the team’s collective morale, Martinez insisted that they’re only looking forward now to the season run-in and those “ten finals” that remain on the domestic calendar.
He also dismissed the notion that he had set a points target for the club, suggesting that if they get things right on the field they won’t have to worry about reaching a set goal or what other teams around them are doing.
“Our focus is now on what’s in front of us. The 10 games in front of us provide a real opportunity to show we can finish the season really strong and that starts with Newcastle. In terms of preparation, we have to recover physically and mentally but playing at home really helps.
It would be wrong to set a points tally. What We need to produce is the level of performance that is going to give us the results that we deserve. If you look at the game last night, if we perform like we did in the first 20 minutes, we’re not going to get the points we want. If we play in the way that we did for the next 60 minutes we’re going to get many strong performances and many points from that point on. So that’s the focus.”
Reader Comments
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
Listen to your players and fans pack the tippy tappy shit in and play like we did in the second half against Kyiv.
We will fly up the league if you would just stop the crappie slow, slow pass-back stuff, play to Lukaku’s strengths because he is unplayable if you do. I won’t hold my breath, though. COYB.
If it really is going to be the turning point of the season Martinez needs to change his style or start selecting strong line-ups and dropping those not performing.
It’s no good playing two defensive mid fielders who can’t get the ball up the pitch quick enough and no good playing with no width if we’re to dominate possession, the centre of the pitch gets clogged up by Barkley, Naismith, Mirallas and Lukaku, and the full backs can’t link up with a winger and end up going backwards or they have to try and do it on there own.
I normally switch him off, so I don’t have to listen to his delusional clap trap.
But I hope this might be his ‘Damascus Moment.’ I don’t care about his fate, but if a change of tactics benefits our club, then that is okay with me.
Let us hope he is ready to ditch his sterile tactic of possession at all costs. This team need to attack, and defend with the same intensity!
Has anyone else seen his pre-match press conference for Newcastle?
At the end of the conference he was asked about what was up with Baines; he walked away still answering. For a man very comfortable with the media (although he normally talks shite) it seemed a strange thing to do. It made me wonder as well if there has been some discussion over Baines’s comments on ITV?
Not normally a conspiracy theorist, but in an interview where he spoke a lot of sense for the first time in ages, and seemed in a very good mood; something seemed to cross his face at the question.
Any one else see this? For the record as well, I hope that he is able to sort it out so do not wish him gone unless we really have no other option. So, I am not trying to sow discord!
I find myself softening towards Roberto and I don’t really know why? Maybe it’s the beer.
I don’t believe that he turned things round last night, but I want to believe that the penny’s dropped. I like Phil’s, ‘The season starts NOW,’ mantra.
I’m going to try and forget that he’s been utterly useless for the past 12 months and see if he can win me over during these last 10 games. He did it once, maybe he can do it again.
Phill Jagielka played like a captain should last night: no messing, strong in the tackle and decisive. Lukaku led from the front last night as we all know he can. Both inspired the rest of the team to up their game.
Start the game on Sunday in same manner and Goodison will be behind the team! Not only that, we will also win the game! High tempo, high tempo, high tempo!
I’d love it if we won three on the bounce and we’re able to give the man 10 games next season to prove which of his seasons was the fluke. But, and it’s Kardashian sized but, I haven’t seen one indicator in almost a year that he’s the man to turn it around.
Someone said on the live forum that Peter Reid could motivate the players. I’m biased because he was a childhood hero but I’d love to see him given a chance to prove his worth. Evertonian, Everton achiever, Everton legend.
Crap manager, Reid, spent three years at Maine Road as player-manager, and guided them to two fifth-place finishes in the First Division, the first of which saw them finish above their city rivals Manchester United.
He returned to management with Sunderland in 1995. He won promotion to the Premier League with the club on two occasions and achieved two seventh-place finishes in the top division. He combined his role at the Stadium of Light with the job as manager of the England U21 for a brief spell in 1999. His seven-year association with Sunderland ended in 2002
#16 Phil
Bit harsh on Reid that.
Absurdly harsh sacking by Man City after doing a good job. Did great for Sunderland but a bad phase in the transfer market led to problems. Ended badly no doubt.
Latter part of his managerial career seemed to consist of taking jobs he should have steered well clear of (Leeds, Coventry, Plymouth) as the clubs were disaster areas at the time.
But he couldn’t stay away, as he just loves footy. I KNEW he was going to be sacked by Coventry, the club was unmanageable.
Why he left a great job back in the Prem as Pulis assistant to join whoever as manager I don’t know. He should have stuck with that.
Still think he would make a cracking first team coach for someone.
Chris 21
One word -Desperation!
I can not believe that he mentioned the first three games as a negative impact on their season again. Their defensive failings was there for all to see in these games, but he has never done one thing to change it .He has consistently stated over the rest of the season that there was nothing wrong with his tactics, and he would continue with his philosophy regardless of the outcome. And now with three quarters of the season gone he suddenly says he has an understanding of what has gone wrong in the league.
His statement of it’s (not necessarily anything ) technical or tactically its more of having the right mental approach. I m o he is just stating that his tactics are right but the players are not doing it correctly.
Mr Martinez ‘s is suddenly realizing after the crowd and the players suddenly realized that something had to be done, as the season was going down the tubes, that his tactics were wrong from the start and is now jumping on the bandwagon with a statement , that this positive result could have big implications for the rest of the season.
The only way that this result could have positive results for the rest of the season is if you stop being so stubborn in your tactics, and negative team selections and take note of the difference, when the ball is moved forward quickly , have people in the box that are not frightened to shoot at the goal and, start providing defensive cover at free kicks and corners.
I hope that Everton noticed the positive effect that came with the introduction of Osman,and make a real effort in the close season to get in a quality midfielder, who is not passed his prime.
I always hoped we could persuade Peer Reid to manage us in the dark days of the late 90’s, and we were linked to him but it seemed he was very loyal to Sunderland – Another quality Reidy has. I don’t know about him being a premier league manager now, but he would still be a great number 2.
We seem to have lots of ex-players involved in the coaching these days. Perhaps this is partly because Roberto wants to align himself with the clubs history and traditions. I’m not sure about all of them but I would love Reidy to be sitting on the bench next to Dunc. One thing you can guarantee with him is motivation, enthusiasm and someone who voices his opinion, which might not be the type of ex-player, Roberto wants coaching the team.
I can’t believe people are actually falling for his bullshit…AGAIN.
The goalkeeper, the two defensive mids, the one winger…he won’t change any of it. He’s had so many chances now and he will not budge.
25 minutes into that game I said ‘I don’t care if we come back and win this 5-1, the man has to go.’ Im sticking with it. Get him out of the club now.
Those comments read to me as someone who has maintained “we stay calm, hold possession, and the stats will win out” and just seen exactly what happens when we don’t. Heart and passion isn’t something that can be trained. It certainly doesn’t happen when the tactic is to be moving at 2 miles an hour.
From his comments I think he wants us to play with more spirit but doesn’t have a clue how to make it happen.
Play quickly, encourage players to keep it in their half, the noise will come from the stands Roberto.
One thing that never gets mentioned is Peter Reid auctioned his medals to save Plymouth.
My motto in life is “choose your heroes”, I got this motto around the time the sun was calling Gary glitter a national treasure.
Peter Reid is Everton through and through. We’ve given chances to unproved managers and promising managers. Why not give him a go? He gets us and is there a single fan who doesn’t love him?
Barry Horne in his Echo Column says that he watched Wigan a lot during Martinez’s tenure and he sees similarities.
Their games would almost always follow a similar pattern. They’d start off looking to keep the ball in their own half, playing quite defensively and sitting back. Then they’d go a goal behind, usually through a defensive error or a set-piece, and only then would they come out and start attacking.
Sound familiar? I bet it does to a lot of Evertonians.
Let’s see what unfolds on Sunday…
Ground Hog day again – as the saying goes, actions speak louder than words and those actions need to come on Sunday. We’ve had this ‘turning point’ about 4 times already this season.
Barcodes have nothing much to play for and have their top striker out. Time to finally get 3 points.
Anyone else think Robertos beginning to show the strain? He looks a few years older than he did a couple of weeks ago.
So far none of our EL wins have led to any kind of improvement in our PL form at all. If anything we just look worn out after putting so much effort into getting a good EL result. I don’t see why this result will lead to any “turning point” at all.
Maybe if he just kept his pie hole shut and wait until afer the Newcastle game before he starts spouting off about turning points.
As it is if we just look knackered, play for a point and get beaten again he’ll just look like a useless twat once more and the clamour giving him his taxi fare will be ratcheted up another notch.
Tell you what though he’s looking rough in the pic at the top. A few sleepless nights on that face. He knows if he fucks this up and gets a second PL club relegated, especially one as long standing as Everton, he won’t be managing another PL club for the next 10 years, if at all.
As always any credit migrates to towards the top just as blame tends to filter down.
No mention of the crowd. Seems Ken B and everybody else imagined a noise related improvement or maybe it was just a coincidence.
Something has happened. I watch Roberto’s pre-match interviews every week. He’s a changed man.
Loved the question at the end, “What’s Leighton’s problem with you?’
Last night I watched Jags, Lukaku, McCarthy and Gaz Baz impose themselves on the game. Nice to see Leon back.
What joy to see Lukaku’s found his touch. It’s nice to see it, shows what a player we have.
I thought Barkley did okay with some sublime passes, he wasn’t careless with the ball and didn’t lose it much as others.
Naismith did his usual, however he should not try to play anyone in, he hasn’t got that in his locker, he should pass to someone who can.
Mirallas, Oh Kevin Mirallas. What is your position in our team? You appear everywhere over the front line, often running into the same space as the other attackers, you don’t play Coleman in enough, you give the ball away cheaply and if I’m honest you don’t look good enough.
Get Robles back in goal. Stones slots straight back in, I imagine Alacarz at the top of his game is some player. I’d play Baines if he’s fit. Garbutt improved with the game, he’ll learn loads from this and I have to say I love his corners. I’d rest him for the return leg.
If Martinez can survive this then it bodes well for the future. We can play better football and I’m sure we will before the season is out.
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
» Log in now
Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it’s free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.