Before PDC and Poyet arrived there were many Sunderland supporters who'd have liked Martinez at Sunderland., many others disagreed. I was one, who wanted him here, and remember being very impressed by a long Sunday Times article, during his relegation season at Wigan, where he outlined his methods. One of the most impressive aspects, in particular, was how Wigan always seemed to come good in the second half of the season. The carefully planned and staggered training regimes culminated in taking advantage of teams who'd build up suspensions, injuries and endemic fatigue. It obviously faltered when he kept losing his best players who weren't adequately replaced, but it'll be interesting to see how he fares at Everton. He makes MON look like a bloke who won a competition to try managing a Premier League club. I truly hope that Poyet is as meticulous, deep thinking and calculated as he appears. If that's the case then we may have genuine cause for optimism and a 'Martinez' of our own.
I'm 100% convinced we have the right man in the hot seat. OK he's not having the best of luck at the minute but he will come good and not only that, he'll do it playing attractive passing football as well.
100% with you Smug. I've often touted Martinez, a classy gent, plays lovely stuff, and people had me flumoxed saying 'he just about survived every year, he's a fraud'. Keeping Wigan up was miraculous every time, keeping them up playing football was even more so, they were always gonna go eventually, but he left them their first ever trophy, not too shabby. 'He's a fraud and he'll be a flop at Everton'. Erm, no, actually, he is proving what a capable manager he is. That said, delighted with Gus, and think he's the one, at long last, regardless of survival this season. Even if we drop, I'd want him to remain, as it stands.
On Sunday Supplement one of the pundits was saying that Gus was very lucky to have got this job. He said Brighton gave him a lot to spend and that Holloway beat him tactically in the play offs. He reckons we're down and Gus will be sacked at the end of the season and he won't get another prem club after him. He also said he likes Sunderland and wishes them (us) well but..... Prove him wrong Gus!
Poyet has transformed the way we play to a point where it's unrecognisable. Was able to catch the first half of the stoke game on tv in Thailand (before a storm ended the signal) and watched us put 20+ passes together and left stoke chasing shadows. Haven't seen us play with this style and confidence since Reidy's days. I agree with Paulos specs, if we do go down (really hope we don't!!) I'd like to see Poyet stay and bring us back up in style as Reid once did.
I know exactly the period you mean and there were 30+ passes around the 23rd minute and not just across the backline. There were probing passes looking for a weakness rather than the usual hoof it up and hope of the MON and Bruce eras. Once we're organised at the back we'll be able to play higher up the pitch and bring the players closer together in better areas.
Was a few i'd be happy with. Martinez was right down my pecking order to be honest. I craved the philosophy Poyet has brung and was prepared to risk the the sudden change to get us playing my kind of football. I always had a feeling Martinez would drag his heels in installing his new philosophy bringing it in more gradually. I Knew that managers were available that suited my style so I wanted them. Not to say Martinez would do a bad job, but he hardly walked into chaos at Everton.
