Everton: Will The New Era Take Its Toll?

2012/2013: 6th

Transfer(s) In: Antolin Alcaraz (Wigan Athletic, Free), Joel Robles (Atletico Madrid, Undisc), Arouna Kone (Wigan Athletic, Undisc), Gerard Deulofeu (Barcelona, Loan), Roberto Martinez (Wigan Athletic, Undisc), Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea, Loan), Gareth Barry (Manchester City, Loan), James McCarthy (Wigan Athletic, £12 Million)

Transfer(s) Out: Thomas Hitzlsperger, Jan Mucha (Both Released), Phil Neville (Retired), David Moyes (Manchester United, Undisc), Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United, £27.5 Million)

Transfers Review:

                                            Undoubtedly, the most important transfers that have occurred at Everton this season involve the managerial position rather than any on-field place. After over a decade of loyal support, David Moyes decided that the Manchester United job was too good to refuse. After his repeated heroics with Wigan, firstly keeping them up season after season, and culminating in their FA Cup triumph in May. These credentials attracted the attention of Bill Kenwright, who managed to settle a fee with Dave Whelan to bring the talented Spaniard to Goodison.

                                               Most of the signings that Roberto Martinez has made have, at one time or another, represented Wigan during his time in charge. Alcaraz will add to the already strong defence, with Distin and Heitinga highly competant defenders. Joel Robles, who played that FA Cup final a couple of months ago, having been on loan from Atletico, will also provide adequate cover for Tim Howard. Arouna Kone is a proven goalscorer in the Premier League, having made double figures in a relegated team last season, and will provide many valuable goals in attack. James McCarthy, though an expensive signing, will provide further steel and creativity in the centre of midfield. Both Barry and Lukaku are good loan signings, and will provide short-term gains, but I feel that longer term solutions will be required. Deulofeu is a promising youngster from Barcelona, and I feel will be used sparingly throughout the season to give him the experience. However, whilst these signings are good, the majority of them have come from a side that have were relegated last season, so one must wonder just how much they will add to a top half team. In comparison to my prediction from my Everton season review post, Callum McManaman is about the only member of that Wigan side that looks promising not to be snapped up by the ex-Wigan manager. And typically, he is the one I predicted would go!

                                                    What the Toffees have managed to do is keep their hands on the majority of their star names. Though Marouane Fellaini did make the journey over to join his old manager, Leighton Baines remaining at Everton is a major boost to their success. With old manager Moyes and Manchester United seemingly desperate to secure their signatures, throughout the window it was a real battle to keep hold of Baines until September 3rd. The call from their old manager seemed to be too much to resist for the big Belgian, though Martinez will be pleased to have got £27.5 Million, a full 4 more than the old release clause.

Pre-Season:

                                               Everton began their pre-season preparations on home soil, with games against lower-league opposition. A good opportunity to try and find some new youth prospects, and a chance to bed some of the new signings into the squad earlier. Two wins, against Accrington and Blackburn followed, before we moved into August, where the competition got considerably more impressive. In the International Champions Cup, Everton faced Juventus in San Francisco in their opening game. After 90 minutes, a Kwadjo Asamoah strike levelled Kevin Mirallas's effort on the hour mark, and the game went into penalties. After 13 successful spot kicks, the game was settled in Everton's favour after Peluso's kick was saved by Howard. This left the Liverpudlian side with a tie against Real Madrid in LA. After Ronaldo scored the opener, he created a second for Mesut Ozil before the break. Nikica Jelavic grabbed a consolation for the Toffees, but Madrid hung on to eliminate Everton. Considering the opposition, Everton will be heartened by their performance.

                                                Their final two games took place back on home soil, with the visit of two Spanish sides. Firstly, they entertained Valencia, where they suffered a chastening 1-0 reverse. This readied them for their final game of the pre-season warm up against Real Betis, where they performed much better, securing a promising 2-1 win. These games suggest that they have the personnel, and the ability, to secure a positive performance in the Premier League, however, there are aspects to Everton's form that may cause them trouble during the campaign.

Key Players:

                                                I think that this will prove to be a massive season for Kevin Mirallas. The winger had a good initial season at Goodison Park, scoring a couple of memorable goals, and I think that he may have to take a more central role this time around. With Steven Naismith and Nikica Jelavic both out of form, this is when the Belgian will have to stand up and be counted.

                                                  Seamus Coleman could also be forced into a key player role this year. The young Irishman seems in that Baines-esque mould, and will often be seen bombing down either side. More commonly known as a right-back, he may have to transfer to the opposite side, and take the role of instigator of many attacks.

Key Fixture Dates:

03/11/2013: Everton vs Tottenham
23/11/2013: Everton vs Liverpool
03/12/2013: Manchester United vs Everton
07/12/2013: Arsenal vs Everton
28/01/2014: Liverpool vs Everton
08/02/2014: Tottenham vs Everton
05/04/2014: Everton vs Arsenal
19/04/2014: Everton vs Manchester United

Top Goalscorer:


                                                   If Kevin Mirallas takes to his more central role quickly, I feel he may well have a claim for this position. However, with the ability and pace that Arouna Kone has, coupled with the clinical finishing which led him to the top goalscorer for Wigan last time around, I feel that he may well pip the Belgian to the post. Since Roberto Martinez can get the best out of the Ivorian, it would be silly to assume that that partnership would stop working at Goodison Park.

Prediction:

                                                     I think that Roberto Martinez will do well at Everton, but he, like every other new manager in the field, will take time to adjust to his new role. His teams' mentalities of not playing until the clocks go forward will not do at a side like Everton. He can ill-afford the kind of start that Wigan were so accustomed to, as he has not only the European places to consider, but their standing within their own city. As things stand, unfortunately for the Toffees, the re-adjustment period will be too long to secure either of their objectives, and they will finish away from the European places and behind Liverpool. But they will be building for the future, especially if Martinez is given the amount of time that Moyes was.

Everton 2013/2014: 7th

                                                

Wigan Athletic: The Brighter Side Of Relegation

2012/2013 Season Review:

                After the inevitable ‘Great Escape’ we have come to expect from Roberto Martinez’s Wigan last season, he once again strengthened to attempt to ensure that Wigan avoid the last weeks’ scramble for points. Signing Arouna Kone, to provide some pace and clinical finishing, along with Ivan Ramis, James McCarthy and James McArthur (providing commentators with a nightmare few months working out which was which!), he watched his Wigan side start with a 0-2 home defeat against Chelsea. More promising, and perhaps representative, was the 2-0 away win the following game at St. Mary’s. September proved a more testing month in the league, with the Latics collecting only one point, and slipping into the relegation places by the end. Two thumping 4-1 victories in the Capital One Cup gave them something to save, and this saw their form eventually improve.

                October began in a much better fashion, with a home draw against Everton, before picking up their first win in 7 league games at home to West Ham. However, a poor defeat on penalties to League 2 side Bradford ended Wigan’s Capital One Cup good results. This type of form is comparable to early season forms of previous seasons, where they have needed their traditional ‘Great Escape’ when we get into spring. November also mirrored this form, with the Latics taking only three points out of their five league games in the month. Relegation form in anyone’s book, and one that Wigan would need to improve if they wanted to avoid the drop. This season, more so than many before it, seemed to have an air of inevitability about Wigan’s relegation, and there was widespread belief that Wigan’s upturn in form would come too late.

                December, the busiest month of the season, is essential to a successful season. Without a consistent string of results, a side will invariably fall short of their objectives for the season. Wigan, unfortunately for them, failed to significantly improve their recent form, picking up only four points during the month. Particularly disappointing was that the games were mostly against sides around them in the table, making it even more imperative they achieve results. However, the month, and year, did end on a positive note, with a convincing 3-0 away victory at Aston Villa, giving them hope for better fortune in 2013.

                January started with a 0-4 home demolition by Manchester United, sweeping away all momentum. The start of the FA Cup then signalled a chance to escape their weak league form, and start again on an even keel.  Unconvincing 3^rd and 4^th Round successes against Bournemouth and Macclesfield did little to quash the nerves around the side, and no league win in the month further exacerbated an already hopeless looking situation. After the two busy months, Wigan seemed to re-find themselves. February saw Wigan really find their cup form, dominating Huddersfield on their own patch, winning 4-1, and following that up with a 3-0 success at Reading in the league. This led pundits to conclude that the club’s cup form could be the key to the preservation of their league status in the coming months.

                March, if we ignore the 0-4 hammering at home to Liverpool, was an exceptionally successful month. A shock win at Goodison Park in the FA Cup 6^th Round, meaning a trip to Wembley, started things off well, with three goals in four first half minutes to put the home side on the ropes. Successive wins against both Newcastle and Norwich then gave the Latics genuine hope of another ‘Great Escape’. Including these games, Wigan went on a five game unbeaten run, including a victory against Millwall in the FA Cup Semi. Whilst the game was unfortunately marred by violence in the Millwall end, Wigan thoroughly outplayed their Championship opponents, winning the game 2-0. Two successive league defeats followed the euphoria of achieving an FA Cup final, which severely dented their survival hopes, but a draw at home to Tottenham, followed by an away win at West Brom once again reignited the Wigan fans’ hope of survival, leaving them just three points adrift. However, a 2-3 defeat at home to Swansea left their Premier League status hanging by a thread, and it was not the best preparation for arguably their biggest game in their short history.

                The FA Cup Final against Manchester City, in which Wigan were the 9/1 long shots, started with City on the front foot, forcing Wigan keeper Joel into a number of good saves. However, as the game went on, it became more and more obvious that Roberto Martinez had got his tactics spot-on, with Callum McManaman in particular standing out. The second half continued in the same vein, with the Latics dominating both possession and chances, and once Pablo Zabaleta had been sent off for City, the inevitable occurred. Ben Watson’s 91^st minute header sent the Wigan end into delirium and left many rubbing their eyes in disbelief. The final whistle sparked scenes of jubilation on the touchline and in the stands. A first major trophy in their history, and a thoroughly deserved win.

                Unfortunately, they were unable to celebrate their FA Cup victory for long, before being plunged into despair at the Emirates. A 4-1 defeat just four days after their Wembley heroics meant their relegation was confirmed. Some may say it is about three seasons too late, however I genuinely think the Premier League will miss Wigan’s indescribable late season form each season. Pundits have said that Wigan only play well ‘when the clocks go forward’. They cannot afford to do that next year, or they will be finding it very hard to stay in the highly competitive Championship.

                Overall, if you had offered the FA Cup to the Wigan side at the start of the season in exchange for relegation, they probably would have taken it. Promotions occur every year, but a cup final is probably a once in a career opportunity for these Wigan players. As for their manager, they may face a struggle to keep him, as he is too good to ply his trade in the second tier. I fear for Wigan, as the Championship is notoriously competitive, and getting back up is not easy.

 

Player of the Season: Arouna Kone – Based on the FA Cup run, I would say McManaman. However, based on the overall season, I have to go with the big Ivorian. Eleven goals in your first season is a good return, especially when you consider the position of the club. His pace and finishing ability will leave him in demand from other Premier League clubs next season, perhaps the promoted sides.

 

Game of the Season: Manchester City 0-1 Wigan – Perhaps the easiest selection I have had to make. An historic day for the club and the city, and the best illustration that you should never underestimate the underdog. Bringing back shades of Sunderland vs Leeds, and the Crazy Gang’s heroics against Liverpool a decade or so later, Wigan’s success will live long in the memory, and shows us just why the FA Cup is so revered.

 

Summer Transfer Targets (What I Think They Need): Keeping Roberto Martinez, whilst a huge challenge, is their most important aim of this pre-season. I fully expect that this will be a summer of more exits than entrances for Wigan Athletic, with many of the club’s FA Cup heroes in demand. This makes it impossible to judge exactly will be needed, but they need to retain a core from the current squad to build a Championship equivalent around.

 

Transfer Gossip Links:

In:

None

Out:

Franco Di Santo (Lazio, Bologna, West Brom, ST), James McCarthy (Newcastle, CM), Maynor Figueroa (West Ham United, CB), Callum McManaman (Everton, RW), Roberto Martinez (Manager, Everton)

Manchester City: Settling for Second Best

2012/2013 Season Review:

                After the euphoric, Sergio Aguero inspired, end to the previous season, Manchester City had a slow pre-season, with manager Roberto Mancini complaining frequently at the club’s lack of movement in the transfer targets. This allowed primary targets, such as Robin van Persie and Eden Hazard, to slip through their fingers, instead settling for the likes of Scott Sinclair and Jack Rodwell. Despite this disappointment, City had a positive start, beating Chelsea in the curtain raiser at Villa Park to achieve an early ‘trophy’. The start of the Premier League season was less encouraging, having to come from behind to beat Southampton at home on the opening day, before a less than impressive performance in a draw at Liverpool.

                September saw more tribulations for the Mancunians. The Champions League draw was most unkind to the reigning English champions, pairing them with the champions of Spain (Real Madrid), Germany (Borussia Dortmund) and Holland (Ajax), in a ‘group of death’. In their first game away to Real Madrid, City produced a splendid defensive effort, leading both 1-0 and then 2-1 with 5 minutes to go, only to capitulate and lose 3-2. A first defeat at the Etihad Stadium followed, putting City out of the Capital One Cup at the hands of Aston Villa. This, and the draw against Arsenal in the league, illustrated that City’s perceived invincibility at home had ended.

                City’s early league form promised much, winning games that the previous season they had drawn, such as away at West Brom. Despite this form, they were abject in Europe, with an abysmal defeat in Amsterdam following the fortunate 1-1 draw at home to Borussia Dortmund, where Joe Hart had one of the best goalkeeping performances in recent memory to keep his side in it. City’s second consecutive group stage exit of the Champions League was practically confirmed with the 2-2 home draw against Ajax. City finished the group stages without a win to their name, and with the lowest points total of any British club. Bearing in mind the funds pumped into the club in recent years, this represents a significant failure for the club and, in particular, the manager.

                After the failure in Europe, City’s league form wavered. Two poor results at home severely damaged morale and their position in the title race. An unconvincing 1-1 draw with Everton was closely followed by a dramatic 2-3 defeat by local and title rivals Manchester United, where midfielder Samir Nasri later received death threats after his decision to turn away from the ball, leading to United’s winner. The game was also marred by scenes where a City fan invaded the pitch, attempting to attack Rio Ferdinand, who had already been hit with a missile from the crowd, drawing blood from above his eye. Horrendous scenes at the end of what had been a highly entertaining game.

                City regrouped after the derby defeat, winning 8 of 9 games after that point, including away wins against Arsenal and Stoke in the FA Cup. Two draws dented their title aspirations further, firstly a drab 0-0 draw at QPR, before a Sergio Aguero goal from an impossible angle rescued a point for the Citizens at home to Liverpool. More decisive blows were dealt to City’s title defence with poor performances in away defeats against Southampton and Everton, leaving City to conclude that their most likely chance of silverware lay in the FA Cup. An emphatic 5-0 victory over Barnsley took City to Wembley for the 2^nd time in 3 years, to face Chelsea. A dominant first half performance saw City take a 2-0 lead early in the 2^nd half, when only Costel Pantilimon prevented Demba Ba from levelling the game. City hung on, aided by several controversial decisions by the referee to eliminate the holders and progress to the Final.

                A chance to re-establish some pride was taken at the beginning of April, when City went to United, already 15 points ahead in the title race, and won 2-1, courtesy of an individual Aguero goal. Nevertheless, a second half demolition inflicted by Tottenham, handed United the title in late April, leaving the rest of City’s season resting on the FA Cup Final against Wigan. With rumours rife about the future of Mancini, City were tactically outplayed by Roberto Martinez’s Wigan, who deservedly claimed their first trophy in their 81 year history courtesy of an injury time Ben Watson goal. City’s owners decided that enough was enough, removing Mancini from his post and placing Brian Kidd in temporary charge. A controversial decision, as Mancini had led City to their first trophy in decades, before their first title in 44 years the previous May. A poor final day saw City slump to a 3-2 home defeat against Norwich, ironically the exact opposite scoreline of the dramatic final day of the previous year.

                Overall, an extremely frustrating season for all City fans. Starting the season with the expectation of either defending their title, or challenging very closely, and competing well in Europe, City achieved none of these objectives, being second best in both the league and cup. It cost Roberto Mancini his job, and one wonders how his successor will cope with the increasing expectations of both the board and the fans next year.

 

Player of the Season: Pablo Zabaleta – In a season of lows, Zabaleta has been the one shining light in the City team. The picture of consistency, the Argentinean ensured that City finished the season with the greatest amount of clean sheets of any side in the League, and with the best defensive record.

 

Game of the Season: Manchester United 1-2 Manchester City – In terms of overall performance, this is the only game in which I saw City perform to their potential. Whilst, as a City fan, I am pre-designed to select derby victories, but I can genuinely say that in no game this season was I ever blown away in the same way as the previous campaign.

 

Summer Transfer Targets (What I Think They Need): Not signing good enough players at the beginning of the season is ultimately where the blame lies for this campaign. Matija Nastasic is the only one that has managed to hold down a permanent position this year. Defensively, City look relatively strong, but failing to replace Nigel de Jong has had an impact. Tactically, there have also been issues, with a noticeable lack of a Plan B. A bit of width would be useful to provide this. Similarly, a lack of goals has characterised the campaign, and I expect a big name striker in this summer. In terms of names, Daniele de Rossi, Edinson Cavani, Jesus Navas and Radamel Falcao could be possible targets.

 

Transfer Gossip Links:

In:

Edinson Cavani (Napoli, ST), Fernandinho (Shakhtar Donetsk, CAM), Inigo Martinez (Real Sociedad, CM), Ben Davies (Swansea City, LB), Neymar (Santos, ST), Manuel Pellegrini (Malaga, Manager), Jesus Navas (Sevilla, RW), Pepe (Real Madrid, CB)

Out:

Joleon Lescott (Everton, CB), Scott Sinclair (Swansea City, LW), Roberto Mancini (???, Manager), Costel Pantilimon (Fiorentina, GK), Carlos Tevez (Juventus, PSG, AS Monaco, ST)

Jumping the Gun? Manchester City Manager Roberto Mancini is Sacked

             Today’s announcement that Roberto Mancini has been relieved of his Manchester City managerial duties comes as no surprise to anyone who has been following sports news over the weekend, and especially after the events of Saturday evening. I must admit, when the news of his ‘imminent sacking’ hit the headlines on Saturday morning, I thought it could have been a ploy by Wigan and Manchester United fans to de-stabilise the team before the cup final. If it was, it worked, and in the most spectacular fashion. Not only did City lose the FA Cup final, they proceeded to sack Mancini two days later! That explanation now appears to be a tad too coincidental for me. When we consider the earlier, unexplained, meetings with Malaga officials, and the reluctance of the Manchester City board to deny the rumours after the news broke, Mancini’s sacking should come as no great surprise.

 

                However, the reasons behind Mancini’s sacking are not particularly usual. It was recently confirmed what I had previously considered to be true: that Mancini was not sacked for his lack of results. An FA Cup and a Premier League title is hardly a poor return for a side that had not seen the like for 3 decades previously. And yes, some fans may be saying, with the amount of money he had to spend it is unsurprising, but as I mentioned in the United title-winning blog, the trick is to gel players, not merely to buy them. The very fact that Mancini prevented Mario Balotelli from killing anyone during his tumultuous 3 years at City is impressive in itself! It is also worth noting that both Sven Goran Eriksson (under Thaksin Shinawatra’s ownership) and Mark Hughes (under both Shinawatra’s and Sheikh Mansoor’s ownership) had failed to provide any glimmer of a trophy whilst at City. His overall statistics also provide further ammunition for those claiming he was hard done by. In his 133 Premier League matches as City boss, he had a win percentage of 61.65%, a rate only bettered by Jose Mourinho, Sir Alex Ferguson and Carlo Ancelotti. A rather illustrious group to be involved in, I think most would agree. However, there is one area where he has seen to have failed: Europe. Whilst I would argue that I cannot recall a pair of groups harder than the ones City have faced in their two years in the competition (bearing in mind that City have certainly had at least one winner and one runner up in the last two years, no matter who the winner of the final), the results this season in the Champions League have been poor. To not get out of the group last year with 10 points was understandable but highly unfortunate, but the abject displays this season, especially against Ajax, have clearly played on the board’s collective minds. Success in Europe seems everything these days, and that is why it is unsurprising Mancini has gone.

 

                I do not believe that was the primary reason, however. Mancini has had a rather unfortunate habit of criticising board members, and even the owner himself, particularly this season. His comments immediately after the Wigan game may only have been the final nail in the coffin, as he has complained on more than one occasion of the board not being quick enough to secure his transfer targets. This is especially true of the missed signings of Robin van Persie and Eden Hazard last summer, both of whom were top of his summer shopping list. However, complaining about a man who has recently invested over a billion pounds in the squad, training grounds and the community surrounding Manchester City is probably ill-advised, especially when you consider that City were a top 10 team at best before his investment. You can hardly accuse the owner of not ‘putting his money where his mouth is’! Also, with regard to my title, I believe that Mancini has also been given plenty of time to achieve results by the owners, especially when comparing City to recently taken-over clubs like Chelsea (3 managers in 2 seasons) and Blackburn (4 managers in 1 season). Whilst, as a City fan, I believe his results are sufficient, even with the cup final aberration, to keep him in a job, his outspoken comments about the owner and the board is probably justification for his dismissal.

 

                As for his replacement, much has been said about current Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini. His European pedigree is certainly something that will attract the Manchester City board, and I wouldn’t be too surprised to hear about his appointment at some point in the next few days. However, his recent comments claiming that he has no agreement with City and he has an agreement with Malaga not to talk to other clubs, whilst it makes Malaga look like the equivalent of a controlling spouse, certainly throws doubt onto the appointment. As I said with Ferguson’s retirement, it has come too late to secure the services of Pep Guardiola, and quite possibly too late to secure Jose Mourinho, as he appears certain to return to his spiritual home of Chelsea. Jurgen Klopp, the other man linked with United, certainly has sufficient European pedigree to attract the City board, with his Dortmund team in this season’s final. However, his recent comments that he will not be leaving Dortmund appear to close that particular door. It seems as though City have picked a rather inconvenient time to sack their manager, as most of the talent around Europe appear to have been snapped up. Other than those mentioned above, inexperienced but talented managers such as Roberto Martinez and Michael Laudrup are alternative options, though I believe they will be considered too inexperienced to take the helm. I still believe that one of these two will fill the recently vacant spot at Everton. As for City, Pellegrini looks the preferred option, but his recent comments suggest that a deal is far from being complete.

 

                Roberto Mancini, based solely on domestic results, can certainly consider himself highly unfortunate to have been sacked. His FA Cup victory in 2011, followed by the League title 12 months later, have led Mancini to be guaranteed a place in Manchester City folklore, and the fans will continue to love him and sing his name heartily at games for many months to come. Whether he will be so revered by fans only because he delivered City’s first trophies in decades, and therefore would not have been had City been more accustomed to winning, is impossible to tell. Based on Mancini’s European results, and his outspokenness, he should not be surprised to have been relieved of his duties. Whoever follows Mancini will have to deliver in both domestic and European competition, and quickly. Otherwise I fear that City may be scouring the job applications again fairly soon.