Everton are currently experiencing somewhat of a superb revival under recently appointed manager Roberto Martinez, who has changed the clubs fortunes over recent weeks.
The Spaniard has since continued, and built upon the impressive structure built by former manager David Moyes, who of course replaced Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in the summer, with Martinez swapping the DW Stadium….for Goodison Park.
Martinez, who enjoyed a four year spell in charge of Wigan Athletic, after joining the Latics from Swansea in the summer of 2009, and guiding the Latics to several seasons of continued Barclays Premier League campaign.
Martinez also won plenty of plaudits during his time at Wigan, with an attacking brand of free flowing football, and the bubbly character Martinez lead Wigan to an historic FA Cup Final victory at Wembley Stadium, as Ben Watson’s last minute header saw the Latics beat Manchester City 1-0 in the end of season showpiece.
But just three days later Wigan Athletic were relegated to the Championship, after an eight year stay.
Despite Martinez suffering relegation, Toffees chairman Bill Kenwright saw Martinez as an ideal replacement for the outgoing Moyes, and Kenwright will feel his decision to employ Martinez has been justified.
Martinez’s appointment was seen as an odd one by many supporters, but the Spanish manager has brought his attacking brand from Wigan Athletic, to Merseyside, were his Everton side have enjoyed have enjoyed a superb start to the season.
Martinez was backed well by Kenwright in the summer, and couldn’t hang on to midfielder Maroune Fellani, who submitted a transfer request, and subsequently joined his former manager David Moyes at Manchester United.
In Fellaini’s place, Ross Barkley has stepped up, and has been a sensation after a superb start to his personal campaign, with the Liverpool born central midfielder has been a key part for his sides impressive start.
Along with Barkley, Everton have been backed in midfield by new recruits James McCarthy and Gareth Barry, who have also enjoyed superb starts.
Romelu Lukaku was also drafted in from Chelsea, and the loanee has been in a real rich run of form, with his goals putting the side right in the mix for a European place.
And after impressive results on the pitch, including wins against Chelsea, Newcastle United, and a superb away win at Manchester United have proved Everton’s recent crudentials.
Barkley himself has played himself called up to the England national team squad, having impressed Hodgson, and many England supporters.
Put the form of the spine of the squad, and add a defensive trio of home grown talent of Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines, and the brilliant Seamus Coleman, and the Blues have a perfect melting pot of players, which could see them qualify for Europe’s top tier competition for the first time since 2005.
Liverpool and Manchester United would appear more likely contenders for a Champions League place.
The Toffees have lost just two League games in the current campaign, and following Sunday’s win at home to Southampton puts Martinez’ side in a Champions League spot at the turn on the year.
Roberto Martinez has set his high-flying Everton team a 71-point target to gatecrash the Champions League elite.
Martinez recently stated…..
“You need to be in a position where you can get around 70 points and, if we get 71, we will be in the Champions League,”
he explained.
“To make the Champions League, I can guarantee you now, what you need to do is get an average of 1.94 points from the last 11 games. It doesn’t matter if we are 10th or 15th now – that’s the way it happens.
“That is what we are working towards – getting into that position to be able to reach 71 points. Winning at Old Trafford or not is not going to affect being in that position.”
Everton have most certainly been a real surprise package this year, and under Martinez, the sky is the limit, having been a joy to watch this season.
Martinez also has a superb working relationship with Kenwright, with nearly all of his signings coming on ever free’s or loan’s, as Everton are still financially sound.
By Ben Reardon
@BenReardon1
