“Roberto had a dream, to build our football team”

Article by e-Everton Correspondent Kenneth Jarvis

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In the immediate aftermath of Wednesday's results there were a lot of passionate angry comments about Martinez about the changes he made and the tactics that he decided to pit against Pulis' Crystal Palace team. But he is building a football team, this was meant to be a transition period. In the days after, those comments turned to reflection in that in a season where if we lose all our remaining games, we've had the best season in the existence of the Premier League. Against Palace he got it wrong, it will happen. Against Man Utd, he got it right, it will happen more often.

“We had no money so we signed our players on loan”

Everton's loan players have got a lot of press this season but it's only been a part of what Martinez has managed to achieve this season. On Sunday it was the permanent players who rose to the occasion and delivered the vital victory. John Stones was again excellent. Baines and Coleman were back to their best. McCarthy showed why he was so missed for the bulk of the Palace game and Mirallas was centre stage in the convincing 2-0 win. Barry played very well but it would be a big surprise if he was to play anywhere else but Goodison Park next season. It seems we have the money to buy Lukaku but you feel him being here next season is massively influenced by Everton being in the Champions League. You feel he will want to stay if we are, and if Chelsea sign Diego Costa, they'd probably let him come. Deulofeu has played his part as well, and with the news that Mirallas is out for the rest of the season, you feel the little Spaniard could yet play a big role in who gets that 4th spot.

“We play from the back, with Ross in attack”

Ross Barkley was played out on the left on Sunday and you feel his assault on a starting place for England has lost a lot of momentum. He is however one of the pillars that Martinez will try and build his team around with McCarthy and Stones. He has had an immense season for someone so inexperienced and his improvement has been there for everyone to see. Someone younger than Barkley however plays like he has played in the league for 10 years. John Stones will make mistakes, when they do, they will be a lot more costly than Barkley's due to his position. This hasn't however stopped Martinez throwing him into every game to a point now where most Everton fans would prefer him to play than the centre back who will start for England at the World Cup. The lad is full of class and has the composure, passing ability and vision to be a top class midfielder. These qualities however are only an added bonus to his long list of defensive attributes that make Everton so excited about Stones being their star defender for many years to come. I hope he doesn't go the the World Cup as I think it would be too much too soon and feel Hodgson is far too conservative to take him anyway. If there is one thing you can do as an Everton centre back to endear yourself even more to your home fans, it's keep Wayne Rooney at bay for 90 minutes, and Stones certainly did that on Sunday.

“The School of Science, it's on it's way back”

The School of Science was a nickname given to Everton in 1928 due to their inventive and free flowing football. There was certainly a feeling amongst the Everton fans that it was in danger of never 'reopening'. The 90's Dogs of War certainly didn't embody the ethos as survival was the only care in those days. Martinez has bought a swagger back into Evertons play. There were signs in the last few years that Everton were playing better football under David Moyes but it has been taken to a whole new planet. Ironically enough the game in which this chant seemingly fully taken by Goodison Park was the game in which Martinez decided to put away his love of possession and bought out the counter attack in a more defensive approach. Sunday however seemed to be the most scientific win of the lot. Manchester United, like Arsenal, only had a clear cut chance when the game was won. Everton have so much potential in their manager, their players and if we get into the Champions League, their budget. Manchester United are having their worst season in the last 20 years, Everton are having the best. Roberto has a dream, and all Everton fans are dreaming right now, that the giant is finally reawakening.

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