Roberto Martinez’s success story at the blue half of Merseyside is now beginning to take shape. Since taking over the reins from the then outgoing David Moyes, Martinez has revolutionized the Everton style of play to his own perusal and satisfaction. The Toffees have now been transformed into a hard-working unit, who always seem to want the ball more than the opposition they’re up against. They carry a substantial amount of threat when surging forward, and their defensive organization is equally commendable. They make use of every outlet possible to carve out openings and that’s just become a trademark of the philosophy Roberto Martinez’s carries.
Meanwhile in North London, Spurs are undergoing yet another transition period, this time under Mauricio Pochetinno. Gareth Bale’s exit a season ago signaled the advent of another transition period and in addition to that, it also signaled the beginning of the end of ‘good’ times. During those ‘good’ times, White Hart Lane had acquired the form of a fortress. It was never an easy place to commute to and other big clubs found it tough to come away with a result. Much like Manchester United’s Old Trafford, but to a lesser degree, a trip to North London was dreaded if a club was undergoing tough times. But recently, defensive frailties have pulverized any such conception of White Hart Lane being a ‘fortress’.
But, times change and so do teams. White Hart Lane still isn’t an easy place to go but Roberto Martinez’s first season at the helm has made Goodison Park a foreboding place for other teams, or so I think. The Toffees lost just 3 of their total 19 home games and that rounded figure of 3 comprised of losses at the hands of Crystal Palace, Sunderland and the would be Champions Manchester City. While Spurs lost 5 of their 19 White Hart Lane outings, which includes losses to Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City, West Ham and Newcastle United. This is clearly indicative of the fact that Tottenham are not right up there to compete in the Super- 7 mini league of England. Big clubs come in and run rings around the Spurs defenders.
Everton’s more than decent run of form at home has propelled them higher than Spurs in the EPL’s 2014-15 predictions. And of course, Tim Sherwood’s men in Lily whites finished 3 points adrift of Everton last season. Despite of having immense potential in their ranks, Spurs were subjected to 4-0 , 5-0 , 3-0 and 6-0 hidings clearly bringing to the fore their defensive frailties. It was a leaky faucet, arguably. They lost the ball cheaply in areas a defender would hate to and the tempo and speed in their passing was hardly visible.
Flashback into the 2012-13 season, a messiah known as Gareth Bale toiled hard day in day out to help Spurs finish 4th. Although, he failed but the world witnessed, once again the potential Spurs have and their ability to bloom talents who can later raise the eyebrows of all football maniacs. With Bale in their team, Spurs had that cutting edge to rip apart defenses in one go and leave their oppositions flat on the ground. After Bale’s fairy tale season drew on to a conclusion, it seemed Spurs would be ever closer to the title than they’ve ever been before, provided that Gareth Bale stayed. And much like what came of hopes pertaining to holding on to Dimitar Berbatov and Luka Modric , these hopes too came crashing down in a bundle.
And a transition period followed, in which came horrendous defeats to fellow elite clubs and the sacking of Andre Villas Boas followed. Earlier, teams knew they had a tough job on their hands when they visited White Hart Lane but it seems that fear factor has now migrated to the Blue half of Merseyside. The passionate Evertonians at Goodison have placed a considerable amount of belief in their players, acting as one propelling force for Roberto Martinez’s men in blue. They’ve now become a more hard working, resolute side who defend hard and close down the spaces for their opposition and get as many men behind the ball as they want to. Under David Moyes, the left side of their attack was a more than obvious outlet to launch attacks and to maraud the box and Leighton Baines played a vital part in this strategy. And with Roberto Martinez at the helm, the Everton attack has assumed completeness and reliability and the evolution of Seamus Coleman and Steve Naismith and the purchase of Romelu Lukaku has added further dimension to their play. The ability of Kevin Mirallas to cut inside and create openings has helped them add some spark down the middle and the additions of Aiden Mcgeady and Ross Barkley has added vigor to attacks which originate down the middle. Seamus Coleman has arguably emerged as the best right back of the Premier League and his tireless up and down running on the pitch testify this. He has started to act as someone who’s very mature and knows what he’s doing when he’s on the football pitch. And all of these above mentioned players know how to run at defenders with the ball, and the men at the back know how not to budge.
James McCarthy is another indispensable part of Martinez’s armory. Since making a £13 million move from Wigan last summer, McCarthy has become a fan favorite at Goodison Park. His performances have been consistently sublime, providing the classic determination and engine of a central defensive midfielder for the Blues. This has become a vital position in the modern game, with most of the worlds best teams employing a player to protect the back four. The capture of veteran midfielder Gareth Barry has helped James a lot in his bid to become a better all round player. He’s a lot younger, quicker and of course, talented than any other defensive midfielder Everton have in their ranks. His hunger to win the ball back from charging opposition forwards and his ability to hold up play are probably writings on the wall for something good to happen in his career. His average passing accuracy exceeds 85 percent, and his best tackles per game (3.3) ratio.
Goodison Park, as a result has become a place where teams can come and gauge where exactly they stand in their league. If you’re good enough, you’ve to commute to Goodison thinking that a grueling encounter awaits you and it’d be tough to battle away in order to get 3 points. You’ve got to spare a thought for the aggressive and flowing playing style of the side you’ll play and if you’re not up for it, get set for a battering of some sorts.
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