Seasons » 2015-16 » Everton News
Martinez 'heartbroken' by missed call


The manager repeatedly used the word "heartbreaking" to describe the failure by either referee Martin Atkinson or his assistant on the far side to spot that Raheem Sterling had clearly taken the ball beyond the byline before crossing for Kevin De Bruyne to sweep home, level the tie at 3-3 on aggregate and confirm the shift in momentum towards the Citizens.
Sergio Aguero added an unchallenged header six minutes later to win the game 3-1 on the night and send Manuel Pellegrini's side through to a date in the final with Liverpool at Wembley next month, leaving Martinez to glumly face the cameras after the game.
"Goals are big calls, and the second goal is heartbreaking," Martinez told Sky Sports. "When you watch the replay it's incredible that you don't get that decision right. You can go into many aspects of the performance but goals today were going to be very important.
"We wanted to score that away goal - we did that. I thought the attitude and know-how to get into a major cup final was there – it's impossible to describe how you feel when you see a decision that is so clear and so big in how the game was developing. It's heartbreaking. I don't think anyone in the stadium would disagree that that goal was the major, major, change in the tie.
"It doesn't leave me with any doubt, the ball is clearly out. It's not one of those decisions where it's the judgement of the referee - it's clear out of play and City should have never been allowed to carry on and end up in the back of the net."
The defeat was only the second Everton have suffered away from home this term but it was the second of two damaging results in succession in two competitions and Martinez effectively has one competition left in which to salvage a season in which he has repeatedly said the club needs to achieve success.
His team travel to Carlisle in the FA Cup this weekend for an FA Cup fourth round tie and while Martinez didn't reference that last remaining avenue in his comments last night, he continued to insist that Everton are close to "reaching a really high level."
"We should take this as a real inspiration to achieve something special this season," the Catalan continued, "because the players don't deserve to get another huge call against us.
"I will never blame a referee for achieving or not achieving but that call cost us a goal and in this sort of tie it was essential to progress."
Reader Comments (97)
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3 Posted 28/01/2016 at 07:23:32
The substitutions you made were not needed at that time in the game. We weren't comfortable but we offered a threat. Despite being past his best Osman still has a goal in him and well changing Deulofeu for Kone... you it surrendered there and then.
I agree, Mr Martinez, the ball was out and so should you be!
4 Posted 28/01/2016 at 07:56:03
Hahaha..
Roberto the only thing most of us are heartbroken with is your mismanagement of this football team and his nicey nicey approach to everything.
We are so tired of it.
5 Posted 28/01/2016 at 07:57:04
6 Posted 28/01/2016 at 07:58:33
I was surprised Osman started. Osman didn't have the legs to track his man for the 1st goal.
Stones should have been dropped after the last game, he cost us the 3rd goal by giving the ball away then not reacting at all to Aguero's movement.
I know Delboy has stamina issues but he still looked our best outlet and should have stayed on longer.
7 Posted 28/01/2016 at 08:00:34
8 Posted 28/01/2016 at 08:01:33
Anyway. Moving on. More annoying is that some of the players in the box 'naturally' stopped when they thought the ball was over the line. I think, and apologies to him if it wasn't, that Barry stopped, had his arm in the air, appealing etc. If he had carried on covering back, he may have just about been in with a chance to cut out Sterling's pass.
He of course would have stumbled as he did so and planted a glorious og past Robles :)
As for taking this as a real inspiration. Of course. Why not. Plenty to play for!
Bring on Carlisle.
9 Posted 28/01/2016 at 08:03:05
10 Posted 28/01/2016 at 08:04:44
Is that why we lost nearly every single aerial duel last night, still can't get the image of David Silva beating our defenders in the air out my head, and at times looked completely all at sea, why there was no pressure on City players high up the pitch, and why second half we barely tested their weak looking goalkeeper or defence??
Seriously call that attitude and know-how??
This man would tell you the clouds were made of marshmallow...
11 Posted 28/01/2016 at 08:11:31
Is it also unfair to criticise a player earning 50 times more than most sinners, or to tell him to wake up and get his act together? Is it unfair to take a yellow for the team when in danger?
Is it not unfair to the fans to keep coming up with the same drool of excuses just because you're too stuck in your ways and too proud to listen to good advice?
It's really wearing thin Roberto fair or not fair is not the issue. Doing a job to the best of your knowledge, showing leadership and a willingness to learn and knowing your limitations and then doing something about it is what a good manager is meant to do not whinge and whine and talk non stop about phenomenal potential and getting close and raw diamonds. Enough is enough.
12 Posted 28/01/2016 at 08:20:16
Until you're gone, I'm not putting another penny in this club I love. I hope other fans start doing the talking too by not turning up too then perhaps our gutless board may act before it's too late.
13 Posted 28/01/2016 at 08:22:09
Funes Mori & Barry were MotMs for me, and even the usual elegant Baines was showing signs of discomfort and stress. Now that is a warning sign!
14 Posted 28/01/2016 at 08:24:44
15 Posted 28/01/2016 at 08:32:46
16 Posted 28/01/2016 at 08:35:55
17 Posted 28/01/2016 at 08:38:42
19 Posted 28/01/2016 at 08:46:42
These are words from a manager trying to save his job by telling the chairman just a little bit longer please and I hope not.
Delusional Roberto and wrong choice of words.
21 Posted 28/01/2016 at 08:49:27
22 Posted 28/01/2016 at 08:50:28
Even better, you shouldn't have sold Naismith before our biggest game of the season. Go now.
24 Posted 28/01/2016 at 09:04:44
25 Posted 28/01/2016 at 09:11:14
We have had bad decisions go against us this season, but what about the other games where it has just been really poor defending?
He has blamed a young team err 8th youngest in the division I don't really see the younger teams making the same god dam mistakes every god dam week.
This Playing Brave football Crap he keeps saying.
I don't really rate Pellegrini because with Money and players he has any manager could win games, However last night they went 3-1 up. Pellegrini Takes Silva off and brings Fernando on attacker for defender. See what I am getting at? he is "Managing the Game" or "seeing the game out". Maybe "Closing Shop" you could even say "Parking the Bus"
Martinez has said in the past "You don't win games by changing the style." (From last season.)
After Chelsea "We want to be a brave team and win games by not running the clock down or playing with aspects that aren't what we want to be."
So it is good enough for Managers of teams like Citeh etc.. but not for Everton to "See a Game out" ????
P45 for Martinez please.
Oh finding those comments by Martinez took a while and there are so many more that you could add. I had my head in my hands the whole time. We all thought that Branda came out with some shit, Martinez makes Brenda sound like Yoda.
26 Posted 28/01/2016 at 09:15:28
I think I can see what Martinez is possibly trying to say, but along with all the other stuff he spouts, it just gets lost in translation and becomes meaningless drivel...
Of course, easier said than done. Whilst luck will always play a part in matches, ideally, teams should be able to negate any luck that the opposition get by being better, being more organised, taking the chances when offered and letting the rest take care of itself.
Yesterday, Del had a glorious opportunity to grab another on the break bearing down on the City goal, but perhaps instead of leathering it with his left and making it 4-1 on aggregate, well the rest is history....
Also, one observation and this is perhaps true of most of the good/better/best teams, is that whenever they get the ball, there always seems to be a player close by/in space to receive the ball almost as if they are playing with an extra player. Confidence and swagger is a great thing. Everton don't have it.
27 Posted 28/01/2016 at 09:20:58
28 Posted 28/01/2016 at 09:27:10
Yes of course it was out of play, but officials make mistakes all the time. Some result in goals, the vast majority don't. A goal doesn't make the wrong decisions any worse. The fact is that we concede too many goals. An indisputable fact.
29 Posted 28/01/2016 at 09:29:02
30 Posted 28/01/2016 at 09:36:49
31 Posted 28/01/2016 at 09:40:19
32 Posted 28/01/2016 at 09:42:30
I'm starting to despair about the standard of refereeing, that's three times in as many games, and I can recall a few other dodgy decisions that have gone against us this season. But these refs never have anything go against them, it's so frustrating.
33 Posted 28/01/2016 at 10:03:56
Winners look at problems, change them as they are not scared to change in order to succeed and move on. This guy does nothing other than talk utter shit about "incredible moments", "reaching higher levels" and being "phenomenal", totally and utterly sick of him.
I didn't want him in the job when he was appointed, and certainly haven't wanted him in the job for the last two seasons!!!
34 Posted 28/01/2016 at 10:11:15
35 Posted 28/01/2016 at 10:27:36
Close the door on your way out!
36 Posted 28/01/2016 at 10:30:32
I didn't think I would say this but bring back David Moyes!! Or bring him in as an assistant to sort out our defense!
37 Posted 28/01/2016 at 10:44:54
Welcome to the club.
38 Posted 28/01/2016 at 11:41:18
However, we were battered by City, who created loads of chances and hit the post a couple of times. Sob stories and hard luck tales does not take away the fact City were the much better side on the day and deserved to win.
Overall, I was gutted with the result at the end but even if the ball had been called out for the second goal, they would have scored and won the tie anyway. We wimply were not good enough on the day. We played okay but they were/are simply a better side.
39 Posted 28/01/2016 at 12:01:49
Take note of the City players after they went in front they harried us and tackled like demons to win the ball back whereas we just all go back into our half when we lose the ball. All this achieved was handed the initiative to City to attack us constantly.
Too many Everton players did not look to me to be playing like it was a semi and putting everything on the line. Martinez is clueless and has to go NOW.
40 Posted 28/01/2016 at 12:13:00
Not sure if Everton can report something like this to the FA but the main worry is Martinez has turned us into a laughing stock.
Even refs are waiting for us to concede 3 goals a game and it's going to be even tougher to have decisions go our way.
Once again yesterday a substitution by the opposing manager left Martinez standing helpless... Navas was brought on instead of Delph because they saw Osman was off the pace on the left wing. He doesn't even try to address it by switching Cleverley with Osman to try and counteract it... If it doesn't work then bring on McCarthy for Osman. His solution bring on McCarthy and Kone and remove our only counterattacking threat Del.
Stones selected at RB again when he had a nightmare last game he was there. I will be shocked if Stones is here on Feb 2nd. Real Madrid's transfer ban in the next 2 windows might trigger a bidding war for Stones next week.
Something has affected his play the last few weeks and I imagine he's been told something by his agent. Lukaku is also going through the motions now and if he decides to coast till May then the game against Newcastle is our first '6 pointer' of the season.
We couldn't have just beaten Wigan in that QF and our club's fate would have taken a different road...
41 Posted 28/01/2016 at 12:13:27
The whole team needs a rev-up but has the management team got the balls to do it? I fear not.
Team and manager must be in sync or Manager and team need to be in sync. If not, change manager or change team. Same diff.
Board make decisions and let's move on!
42 Posted 28/01/2016 at 12:16:01
43 Posted 28/01/2016 at 12:24:21
I have been saying it for a year, Martinez Out... ASAP.
44 Posted 28/01/2016 at 12:27:52
He is the only player who seems to actually care about his performance and he was getting players to move about.
Too many of them just wonder about aimlessly and this is the least fit side I have seen in 4 decades and that included side who were out on the piss after every game and smokers.
45 Posted 28/01/2016 at 12:37:17
46 Posted 28/01/2016 at 13:02:43
* The ref's decision killed the game but why are we still not using goal-line technology for these black-or-white decisions
* Deulofeu may not have been having his greatest game but why take off the only provider we had?
* Osman did not have the legs for this game, why were we not playing Mirallas?
* Stones needs to spend a few games on the bench while he contemplates the meaning of life.
* Why was Funes Mori the only player capable of heading the ball?
* Lukaku's first touches were bad as was his ability to win the ball in the air.
* Why did we not press Man City in their own half and give them that degree of possession.
* Robles should be our No 1 goalie.
* Why could we not take advantage of City's poor central defenders?
* Why is Martinez still in the job?
47 Posted 28/01/2016 at 13:06:17
48 Posted 28/01/2016 at 13:06:17
49 Posted 28/01/2016 at 13:09:56
50 Posted 28/01/2016 at 13:10:10
Taking Deulofeu off what a joke if the lad can't last 90 plus mins then get rid I want someone who is fit for purpose. Please don't get me started on Kone... what is all that about?
The bottom line is this we had a chance to win last night and you messed it up I don't want to hear bad luck stories cause Man City should have had a pen and a disallowed goal at Goodison.
You messed up... get out.
51 Posted 28/01/2016 at 13:11:51
52 Posted 28/01/2016 at 13:18:45
Dont see how anyone can criticize the team for effort, I thought Jags, Funes Mori and Barkley were excellent last night and I feel sorry for the lads.
Martinez has his detractors but a top side needs developing and time, he has brought in some excellent young talent, Lukaku and Delofeau would not be at Everton without his selling of the club, plus others bought who may break through.
I have decided to relax and lets see how the season pans out, there is still a lot to play for and a lot of chang to drink, then hopefully our luck and results will turn
53 Posted 28/01/2016 at 13:51:43
Most fans now would chip in to pay Howard's fare home. I think the way he has persisted with Stones after his series of calamities is criminal. The boy looks and plays as if shell-shocked.
Martinez has to go.
55 Posted 28/01/2016 at 14:16:48
Yes, we all know what an arrogant prick Atkinson is. Does he think we've forgotten Rodwell's sending off? But he wasn't to blame. No, our manager is tactically brain-dead. And as Helen superbly pointed out if Deulofeu can't play 90 mins what's the point of him being here?
Get rid and get someone who can last the game. It's not rocket science. I badly want this clown out now but I don't think it'll happen.
56 Posted 28/01/2016 at 14:22:08
Osman has never really had any influence on a game let alone staying the pace for 90 minutes so why start him at all these days.
RM keeps up with the excuses whilst the team flounders and we all know he is not up to the task.
The goals keep flowing in with too much regularity even before Jags got injured way back and despite all the shouting about Stones he is a very cavalier player who like Funes Moriis very prone to silly errors.
The rest of the season is going to be very tough as the team's defensive confidence is waning and needs shaking up by a new man with a strong arm.
I can see a very difficult game at Carlisle.
57 Posted 28/01/2016 at 14:44:28
Yes, the goal should have disallowed but that alone did not determine the inevitable outcome last night. In a very short period of time, we have witnessed the systemic and utter deconstruction of any confidence and pride left in this squad.
We are a laughing stock to the point that even an crooked and inept official like Atkinson is comfortable enough to take a pot shot at our woeful defending.
Is this rock bottom? Tell me it's rock bottom..
58 Posted 28/01/2016 at 14:55:09
It's an affair with Everton for him; for us Blues it's a marriage. How does he think we feel?
59 Posted 28/01/2016 at 15:10:50
Stones (the new Osman, for some) shepherded Sterling across the penalty area very well, forced him to play the ball off the pitch and behind the goal line. His alternative was jumping in and either giving away a penalty (we'd seen enough diving to be sure about that), or to give away a corner (not disastrous but undesirable). Instead he did exactly what a defender should do, he got the attacker to take the ball off the pitch.
Unfortunately given the crap officials (and the corrupt FIFA I don't suppose there could be any connection between the lack of technology making "dubious calls" much easier to make and say, betting syndicates), failed to do a proper job being too old slow and blind (I am being generous now, because the alternative is "bent") to give the proper reward to an excellent piece of defending.
Stones actually did everything correctly and with the least possible risk. His reward was the same as against Ratboy whose squealing dive yards had a similar effect on the match.
I have no sympathy with Martinez for his failures of organisation or coaching, but last night was a shitty and grossly wrong outcome and he does not deserve criticism for it.
60 Posted 28/01/2016 at 15:37:36
As for your description of Stones defending, I would call it getting skinned but if you want to call it good defending then you clearly can't be as out of touch with Martinez tactics as you claim.
61 Posted 28/01/2016 at 15:43:36
Its true that the goal should not have been allowed and that it turned the game. (combined with the fact they could bring a £54,000,000 player off the bench.)
But I get the frustration that we seem so poor defending as a team under Martinez.
We can look to the chances we missed that were under OUR control as to why we lost the tie. And that is equally painful right now. Mirallas had a one on one, Delboy had a one and one. Lukaku had a few chances etc
62 Posted 28/01/2016 at 15:51:42
63 Posted 28/01/2016 at 16:04:18
As Carlisle were relegated, we never ever got the chance to put the record straight. So be warned for this weekend lads, they're a bit of a bogey team.
64 Posted 28/01/2016 at 16:24:07
The ball is out of play when: it has wholly crossed the goal line or touch line whether on the ground or in the air and play has been stopped by the referee.
The game is restarted with a throw in, a goal kick or a corner.
Unless Martin Atkinson is refereeing, then the game is allowed to continue. Sadly, he had not told the six Everton players about this local change to the rules.
This isn't a 'sob story'. Rather, it ranks alongside Thierry Henri's handball in to the goal for France vs Ireland, and was a disgusting and disgraceful piece of play, which tarnished his reputation forever, resulted in a case of bribery (to get the Irish FA off the backs of FIFA, no surprise there, though I might have expected better from the Irish FA).
I'd expect no better from an ex-RS, certainly nothing like the decency of Paulo di Canio, but then his "previous" was for shoving a referee, something a few of the Everton players might have done last night. Of course, it is perfectly reasonable to expect a much higher standard of decency from a fascist than an RS.
65 Posted 28/01/2016 at 16:30:21
Lots of people were taken in by his ability to talk the talk though and the decline of our club which had risen considerably under Moyes, started.
He must be removed immediately before even further damage is done. He inherited a fine squad, yet his ludicrous style of play, which was there for all to see if they could be bothered just to do the slightest research of his past teams, has drastically reduced the winning capabilities of our team.
Let's hope that when he goes lessons will be learnt.
66 Posted 28/01/2016 at 17:11:32
I don't think anyone gives a shit about Carlisle or the FA Cup right now.
We just want this fraud out of our club.
67 Posted 28/01/2016 at 17:20:58
Everton v Carlisle
68 Posted 28/01/2016 at 17:28:09
Martinez's response? Well he took Ossie off for Macca, which was absolutely the right thing to do, however he also swapped Deulofeu for Kone at the same time why? 56 minutes on the clock at the time and he takes off our supply line to Lukaku to bring on Kone who does hold the ball up well. Problem is, that wasn't what the game needed that early.
He made the wrong change IMO and it changed how we played from then on. Man City were well on top and we lost all our impetus on the break when Deulofeu went off.
He's a weird manager at times, and his continued inability to defend a lead is starting to even wind me up.
69 Posted 28/01/2016 at 17:28:53
Jay, sorry but I was just trying to lighten the mood. My own suicide attempt failed last night so I'm trying to think positive!
70 Posted 28/01/2016 at 17:36:25
I just wish I could enjoy some humour right now but the last 2 games have put a nail in my coffin.
I have a bottle of aspirin in front of me and I'm very tempted.
Cant wait for this alleged takeover to take place as long as there isn't a clause retaining this manager.
71 Posted 28/01/2016 at 17:47:09
72 Posted 28/01/2016 at 18:19:13
74 Posted 28/01/2016 at 18:24:14
But.
We were rotten in the second half and Martinez has to carry the can for that. He refuses to criticise or allow criticism of his players and consistently praises players like Howard and Stones who everyone can see are playing woefully.
If that's how you work Roberto fair enough but then you must take and accept all criticism that comes your way.
This season, just like last has been disgraceful and he has learnt nothing.
With the board in control however he has more chance of being offered a new contract than the sack. BK will never sack him....He won't pay out.
75 Posted 28/01/2016 at 18:48:33
We got lucky with the no penalty against City in the League, but I can think of several more that have screwed us and cost us 3 or 4 places.
Roberto is definitely the reason why we are trophyless... Oh wait, what did we win in the 17 years previously!
76 Posted 28/01/2016 at 19:08:16
Can anyone imagine a major (albeit scumbag) daily doing this to a Liverpool player, or to a Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United or Manchester City player? This is typical of the gutter press in this country when it comes to putting young players on pedestals and then knocking seven kinds of shite out of them!! And if this player comes from one of their so-called "middling" then they do it with even more glee.
I hope Stonesy fucks off to a major European team as he's not appreciated here, as the prototype English player is scared shitless to use their iota of talent, and the golden rule here is 'get rid ASAP'. A once-in-a-generation player is being hauled over the coals because, god forbid, this 21-year-old makes mistakes.
77 Posted 28/01/2016 at 19:09:52
I'm sick to death of all the drivel, the excuses and all the bullshit which Martinez spouts every damn time he is asked why his team have failed to win again. I'm done with it now until he's gone from my beloved football club.
Get out Martinez, take your stupid, arrogant naivety with you. Oh and please, please ask "Luvvie" Bill if he will follow just 45 seconds behind you.
78 Posted 28/01/2016 at 19:13:30
I always thought that a referee could book a player for ungentlemanly conduct, so why don't they do just that? City would have been down to nine men before half-time if that had have been the case.
79 Posted 28/01/2016 at 19:19:41
In all the years I've followed football I've never seen that until last night? Can the refs make up rules as they go or is this in fact a rule?
Anyway, I'm still disgusted about the outrageous article in the Daily 'Hurrah for the Blackshirts' Mail.
80 Posted 28/01/2016 at 19:27:27
81 Posted 28/01/2016 at 19:36:57
Man City (a) 3
Swansea (h) 2
Chelsea (a) 3
Man City (a) 0
Dag & Red (h) 0
Spurs (h) 1
Stoke (h) 4
Newcastle (a) 0
Leicester (h) 3
Norwich (a) 1
Palace (h) 1
Boro (a) 0
Bournmouth (a) 3
Villa (h) 0
West Ham (a) 1
Sunderland (h) 2
Norwich (h) 1
Arsenal (a) 2
Man Utd (a) 3
Liverpool (h) 1
WBA (a) 2
Reading (a) 1
Swansea (a) 0
Chelsea (h) 1
Spurs (a) 0
Barnsley (a) 3
Man City (h) 2
Southampton (a) 0
Watford (h) 2
Thats 43 goals concended in 29 games meaning 1.5 goals a game on average.
And this manager still says things like "My philosophy and my way of working is not to keep clean sheets, my philosophy is to win games." Despite having won only 11 of those 29 games (38%).
Considering 4 of those wins are against lower diversion teams, Against top division teams his win record this season is 28%.
I'm lost for words...
82 Posted 28/01/2016 at 20:01:20
We get a manager in who stifled with cash (as the rest had) but managed to build a formidable squad got us into Europe albeit briefly but it got the fans excited to a point then he left leaving us with a decent squad in a decent position. 11 years and no trophies, knives to gunfights and capitulating against the sky four was enough.
Fast forward three years and we employ a manager who had on his CV an FA Cup Final win and the same team relegated. He has recorded the lowest points in 10 years believes it's not essential to keep clean sheets, thinks the sun shines out of Howard and Kone's arse and is turning on the fans. He is tactically inept, naive stubborn and spouts more shite than a field full of cows and has dragged the team down and still has a job.
Smith and Walker walked for less. But some fans think he should be given another season. Well fuck off and go and support a Championship club... Oh wait we could soon be there with this clown in charge.
84 Posted 28/01/2016 at 20:18:50
85 Posted 28/01/2016 at 20:19:38
"... the attitude and know-how to get into a major cup final was there"
I couldn't believe him coming out with that immediately after demonstrating that they...err...don't know how to get to a major cup final and it still irritates the fuck out of me just typing the words now.
I'm half expecting to see him stood out on the sidelines at Wembley for the final, arms folded, staring blankly into the distance with his wet look, blue, wide boy jacket zipped up over his chin, wondering exactly what it is that's different about 'his boys' today because he can't quite put his finger on it.
The failure to see the plain obvious, right in front of his face, even though it's been going "Oy! Oy! Bobby!! OYYY!!!" for the best part of 18 months has long gone past the point of being a joke and is now driving me mad.
We've basically had the same glaring problems slapping us all in the face since self-destructing when 2-0 up against Arsenal at the start of last season. Yet, the manager has seemingly taken no steps whatsoever to remedy the situation.
Add to that the continual blowing of smoke up the arse of a set of players who have consistently proven that they cannot be relied on to see games out (which is of no benefit to anyone, especially coming on the back of a string of results the entire squad and coaching set up should be thoroughly ashamed of) and it's like he's totally blind to what is actually playing out in front of him week after week.
If he'd at least opened his eyes... even just a little...and shown some willingness to work on areas of glaring weakness, then I could maybe understand where those advocating persisting with him a little longer were coming from but, for me, that option should be well and truly off the board by now.
86 Posted 28/01/2016 at 20:22:56
87 Posted 28/01/2016 at 20:48:15
As others have said, Martinez and his tactics cost us again... why play Stones at right-back when Coleman is sat on the bench? If Coleman was only fit enough for the bench, what would have he done if Stones picked up an injury in the first minute?
The team was totally unbalanced again, it should have been Coleman and Deulofeu on the right with Banies and Pienaar on the left, that's the way to stop Man City on the wings. As for taking off Deulofeu and bringing on Kone, I despair...
Then taking off Stones for Coleman.... When we went 3-1 down, instead of swapping Coleman for Stones, he should have gone three at the back and brought on Lennon as a wing back and pushed Baines forward on the left.
Yes, Roberto, my heart is broken... broken that you are still in charge of my Club! City are a horrible club with horrible fans all those below us in Level 1 were more interested in 'baiting us' rather than watching the match and as for the stewards when it kicked off below us, that was a disgrace! Everton fans thrown out for celebrating Ross's goal, one of the cast of Shameless who threw all the punches sat back down and never got spoken to by either a steward or the Police.
88 Posted 28/01/2016 at 20:50:53
If he thought he was hated at Chelsea, that would be nothing compared to what would happen if he should ever be considered to manage our great club!
89 Posted 28/01/2016 at 20:55:21
It won't happen, therefore I really want to see the back of Martinez now. We are a laughing stock and no, it's not going to be a special season, so fuck off.
90 Posted 28/01/2016 at 22:47:32
91 Posted 28/01/2016 at 23:21:02
What did the stewards do? Escort the Blue out of the stadium (possibly for his own safety sake) but leave the cretin Manc to calmly re-take his seat as if nothing had happened.
He must be easily identifiable on video, by seat number etc. Scumbag. Almost makes me want to cheer the Reds on at Wembley.
92 Posted 28/01/2016 at 23:52:17
93 Posted 29/01/2016 at 01:42:58
If you look at the replay it looks like he is suggesting it was a foul throw due to Stones feet following through but I thought the whole night was typical Atkinson giving us nothing and favouring City with all the big decisions.
94 Posted 29/01/2016 at 02:25:15
95 Posted 29/01/2016 at 02:42:10
Deflections are not unlucky if they don't end up in the net however the defender sticking his foot out in the vain hope of clearing is fundamentally flawed.
As a defender I want to win the ball and have a say where its going. Defensively we are a shambles and it does not matter who you have in goal unless the basics are there then your wasting your time.
96 Posted 29/01/2016 at 02:42:23
But our Board (what Board?) will let things amble on because there is no leadership anywhere in the club.
Players sold and not replaced is a recipe for disaster.
97 Posted 29/01/2016 at 13:17:54
98 Posted 29/01/2016 at 13:28:37
The blind leading the blind.
99 Posted 29/01/2016 at 13:32:23
The trouble is Roberto, it is never today it's always tomorrow with you and it's blatantly a ruse to keep you in a job that you absolutely do not deserve in any professional top league in Europe with your negligent comments about keeping clean sheets and your arrogant and mystifying refusal to "learn" also.
Actually it's not funny and the only people who are laughing are the opposition managers who know they will score a minimum of 2 goals against your moribund philosophy. Have an ounce of credibility and fuck off with your talentless bunch of relegation coaches for the good of our club.
100 Posted 29/01/2016 at 16:29:34
According to Reberto our future is great, brilliant, and great things are just around the corner. What does he see!!
101 Posted 29/01/2016 at 18:50:45
If the Terry goal hadn't stood, then a win away against one of the usual top four would have been lauded. We used to have a go at Moyes for not going for it.
And yes we may have been under the cosh in the second half on Wednesday... but we were defending well, and I don't remember lots of City chances. I certainly wasn't biting my fingernails.
All 4 goals (including ours) were as a result of poor decisions by the officials, or poor luck with the deflection. So in my view Martinez was not to blame, and we were unlucky as a team, rather than poor.
102 Posted 29/01/2016 at 20:03:01
103 Posted 29/01/2016 at 20:09:31
Ian 96, I admire your royal blue specs, but that really is pushing it! They hit the woodwork at least twice, Robles made a point-blank save (more like it hit him) and numerous other close shaves. We were battered.
104 Posted 29/01/2016 at 23:12:31
Definitely not Royal Blue Specs. I was referring to the second half. And up to the second goal. Others on toffee web are saying City would have scored anyway. We can talk about ifs, buts and maybes. But at that point you are correct, they were battering us, but we were defending well.
The change in momentum came initially from Navas, but more from De Bruyne for Toure. All of a sudden Stirling came into the game, because they were playing at a faster pace. We were just keeping our head above water. Then we got the kick in the teeth of that goal. You could see the effect it had on the players.
As said in original comment. Martinez does need to change his philosophy when we get ahead in games. He has been guilty numerous times of the gung ho approach. Wednesday wasn't like that.
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1 Posted 28/01/2016 at 07:11:52