Everton FC: The Smiling Assasin

Article by Everton Correspondent Kenneth Jarvis

In June 2013 when Everton appointed Roberto Martinez it was greeted with cautious optimism by the fans, could the man who just saw Wigan relegated really take Everton to the next level? However the FA Cup win, style of play and Dave Whelan's rhetoric about how good a manger he was gave reason for hope.

Follow e-Football on Twitter here!

Four games into the season and pessimism was creeping in. Three frustrating draws against lower ranked opposition in the league and a lacklustre display against Stevenage in the League Cup wasn't the start Everton fans, nor Martinez, was looking for. This was made worse by a series of underwhelming signings. Alcaraz and Robles were signed as back-up to the first team and Kone was seen as a waste of Everton's preciously rare money. However the signing of wonder kid Deulofeu did show the pulling power Martinez had.

After these games came transfer deadline day, a day where Everton fans usually sit watching other teams make the last minute deals. This time it was Everton in the thick of the action. Five players came and went in total. Out went Fellaini and Anichebe for a combined 32.5m and in came McCarthy for 13m and Lukaku and Barry through the loan system. All three players have made a significant contribution to the season so far, and Felliani and Anichebe haven't been missed.

Three wins out of three in September and the garden was all of a sudden looking a lot more rosy. Frequently the downfall of Wigan last year, Everton have looked very strong at the back (with 4 of the back 5 recently being voted into the premierleague.com users team of 2013). Howard is arguably having his best season at Everton and the same could be said for Distin and Coleman added to the ever reliable Baines and Jagielka and it's fair to say Martinez didn't have this calibre of player at Wigan.

On the back of this solid foundation, the midfield has been a joy to watch. The trio of Barry, McCarthy and Barkley work perfectly together. Barry putting out the fires and rotating possession, McCarthy controlling the game and Barkley to add the magic. This central midfield has hid the disappointing seasons so far for Pienaar and Mirallas who, with the signing of Aiden McGeady, will do well to keep their place. Especially with the near return from injury of Deulofeu which adds further optimism to the remainder of the season.

The injuries have been hardly noticed as Martinez hasn't mentioned it due to the results that keep coming. Jagielka, Distin, Hibbert, Baines, Alcaraz, Barkley, Gibson, Deulofeu, Pienaar and Kone have recently been injured but Martinez has been able to cope with it, giving playing time to the likes of John Stones who is an immense, precocious talent.

The continuing development of Ross Barkley has been a massive factor in Martinez' success. Denied playing time under Moyes in favour of Leon Osman, Barkley has thrived under the confidence given to him by the manger. Very much a rough diamond still, Martinez has played him in a position where he can make mistakes and doesn't criticise him for it. This has allowed Barkley to improve and keep improving to a point where many are calling for him to start games for England. Most importantly the faith shown in him has won Everton, and Martinez, football matches.

Everton are playing the best football they have in the premier league and adds a genuine excitement every time that you watch them play. Playing out from the back initially looked alien to Howard, Distin and Jagielka but they have adapted quickly which shows the coaching pedigree of Martinez and his backroom staff.

Martinez has as well adapted very quickly. He has become a fan favourite with his positive approach, affable manner and stylish dress sense! Time will tell of course weather his approach can bring long-term Champions League football or a trophy to the club starved of silverware since 1995, but the signs are positive so far. Fans are notoriously fickle and it's important not to get too carried away with what has been a fantastic season to this point. I was cautiously optimistic when he look over that he could continue Moyes' work, now I'm cautiously optimistic he can take Everton to the next level.

© e-Football 2013 All rights reserved no part of this document or this website may be reproduced without consent of e-Football