Everything's relative mate, but it was a definite failure for us given the quality at his disposal last year (and the year before)
Understand completely. As I mentioned earlier, my best mate is a Toffee so I follow your club closer than most. Martinez isn't a bad shout for a club like ours though.
Personally I think he'd be a terrible appointment for you. As he'll try and get your side to play tiki taka, irrespective of the ability level of the players at his disposal.
Exactly. It's going to be an impossible job for anybody who comes in. That said, it could be a big opportunity for a number of people. A manager could come in and do what Allardyce has done at Sunderland and it could lead to a number of the junior players making a statement.
He'll have a job tinkering, we're down to the bare bones with seemingly no money for recruitment. I guess he maybe sees it as a no lose option? We seen doomed anyway, so even "doing a Derby" would be seen as a success by some, as it would increase the chances of a change in ownership.
Worked out ok for Wigan for a couple of seasons. Say what you want about the man, but you don't finish 5th by fluke. He may have got progressively worse, but at this point any sort of positive boost to start his tenure would be welcome. Let's be honest, there aren't many Cup winning, Top 5 finishing managers out of a job who would come to us. When it's him or Steve Evans, I know who I'd rather.
Thanks for coming on here It does seem that certain managers somehow, inconceivably, have a strong reputation outside of the club that they work at, and only those who have to suffer it week in week out are aware of the reality. I really don't know how Martinez, like Redknapp, has managed to cultivate this but fair play to them, it's a genuine skill.
Thoughts from my mate are: - Wouldn't be after a huge pay day as he got decent compensation from Everton which could work in our favour. - Is a slick talking salesman so would be able to woo the Allams in an interview - Would be happy to keep his family in the UK, and relatively speaking Liverpool isn't far from Hull (compared to say, Swansea or Bournemouth) - Might be able to uncover a few good youth prospects But... - Has hopefully learned his lessons after his last job - Get used to 'phenomenal' being bandied around - Look forward to Cleverly and Kone signing (at this stage I'd take anyone!)
When you say 'ok' do you mean by making them finish lower in the league every single season during his tenure than Steve Bruce ever did?
When I say ok I mean they didn't get relegated until he finally won them a piece of silverware, which I suspect most wouldn't trade for staying up. I'm trying my hardest not to turn this into an argument, please appreciate that! Everyone has their different views, and I would prefer Martinez to almost anyone else we've been linked with.
At which point he won them silverware. I'd take two seasons in the PL followed by a relegation with an FA Cup!!
He took over a Moyes side that was very solid defensively, added some more attacking flair to it and in his first season the combination worked brilliantly and we came 5th with 72 points that in virtually any other season would have got us CL. However, come the start of season 2 his complete lack of defensive focus started to hurt us, the Moyes effect wore off and we were left with a side that didn't even practice defending set pieces ffs, that was as brittle as hell and shipping soft goals seemingly every week. He didn't learn from his mistakes in this regard and last season saw it get even worse, we were truly awful defensively. He did the same at Wigan.
What did you and others make of his football style? For me the ultra patient, sideways passing, keep the ball but do a grand total of frig all with it is hell on earth but would appreciate the thoughts of someone who watched his team week in week out.
Particularly compared to Bruce's style, if you can. Although a Wigan supporter would be better placed to compare the two I suppose.
Well I know one Wigan season ticket holder - just one admittedly - who refused to go again after Martinez's first season in charge cos it was so bad to watch.
I found it ****ing boring at times tbh. Possession for possessions sake, sideways and backwards. However, in fairness to him he did change that a bit last season after the players urged him to allow them to get the ball forwards quicker and use the pace of Lukaku and Lennon. His default style is tiki taka, split CB's, both full backs playing virtually as wingers, 2 holding CM's, and 3 behind a central striker. He never wavers from it. There is no 'plan B' with Bobby Brown Shoes ( he does sport a very nice pair of tan brogues) Phenomenal.
