Friday, June 21

Everton under Roberto Martinez

"...we now play a system that is designed to get the best out of our players. It’s a system that has been made here to play the best we can with the players we have. Here we are now very well balanced. We are organised defensively and we are creating opportunities. It’s not a case of the players adapting to a system. It’s adapting to a system that suits our players..."   Roberto Martinez on his Wigan side in 2011

With the tactically astute Martinez installed as the Toffees new manager we expect him to push on from where he was headed with Wigan over the last few seasons, and Swansea before that. The 3-4-3 he pioneered at the Lactics is much talked about but let us remember this was a system he implemented to get the best out of his players at the time.

The Everton players he'll inherit do fit this system to some degree, particularly down the flanks where a Baines-Pienaar and Coleman-Mirallas will only need a modest tactical tweak to suit Martinez. It's central positions though that may need time to develop.  Everton fans won't be too encouraged to see defenders Jagielka or Distin attempting a short passing game. In central midfield Fellaini and Gibson are talented footballers but Goodison Park my wince a little to see them try and boss possession after years of a much more direct and risk-free approach under Moyes. 


A more lively centre forward than Jelavic may be needed too, a la Martinez's former employ Arouna Kone, and the central attacking midfield role would also need some consideration. Osman, Pienaar or the emerging Ross Barkley could enjoy some success but again the signing of someone like Shaun Maloney may be on the cards.


We would expect Martinez to start well but by building on Everton's current strengths and then, over time, develop the team into a more fluid, attacking side, with one or two signings along the way. 


Regardless of the exact formation and players though we fully expect Everton to be just as bountiful a side for your Fantasy Premier League team come 2013/14.  The key player from a FPL viewpoint will be out on the wings with the aforementioned Baines, Coleman, Pienaar and Mirallas the main candidates. A new signing in either the AMC or Centre Forward position would also be one to watch.




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