No need for Martinez to change style to get it right

THIS time last year, Roberto Martinez was hailed for playing a fast, slick brand of football that almost took Everton into the Champions League. He could do no wrong. Suddenly, however, he’s the subject of an increasingly heated debate. The argument? He needs to get Everton playing the more solid and direct style favoured by David Moyes. Maybe some watched Real Sociedad’s backs-to-thewall victory against Barcelona and were reminded of similar big wins their former boss had inspired. Today’s match against Manchester City would have suited Moyes perfectly. A persistent thorn in their side, he drilled his players to stay in two banks of four before pouncing on the break. But talk of Martinez needing to change is baffling. He’ll never try to grind out a win. He has principles and got the Everton job on the back of hatching the plan that toppled City in the 2013 FA Cup Final. These same people 12 months ago were saying Moyes should have been more open and dynamic like Martinez. But why should he change? Had Martinez felt ‘defence first’ was the way forward, he’d have done it since day one. I’m not trying to sugarcoat a sequence of four consecutive league losses, but to suggest his position might be vulnerable is madness. It should not be about him changing or copying what Moyes did: it is about being better at what he does. Martinez knows performances haven’t been good enough. Confidence is a problem. Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines and Tim Howard haven’t been at their best. Is that down to the lingering effects of the World Cup, or because they are another year older? Everton have a lot of players ageing in the same area of the pitch. Is that why, after 20 games, they have conceded 33 goals compared to 19 at this stage last season — or is it because Martinez hasn’t tweaked things to make them less exposed? Then there is the Europa League effect. Everton have taken just seven points from a possible 18 in games immediately following Euro assignments. Factor in the injuries to John Stones and James McCarthy and you can see why they are in the bottom half. However, I don’t see them fighting relegation. In January 1997, Everton had a run of four straight defeats and parted company with Joe Royle. It set them back years. Only when Bill Kenwright brought in Moyes did they move forward again. When I was a kid watching the 1987 title-winning side, nobody would have believed only one more trophy would follow in 28 years. That’s the only thing Martinez should be worried about changing.