da betcris： Everton’s 7-2 aggregate demolition of Young Boys has left them in the last 16 of the Europa League, flying the flag for British teams in Europe.
da realbet： But closer to home they continue to struggle, still close enough to the relegation zone to not be able to relax. Why are Everton’s fortunes so different in Europe?
Roberto Martinez could scarcely have wished for a better first season on Merseyside, with a record points return and a fifth place finish. The Spaniard had built his side with flair, to go with the determination instilled by his predecessor David Moyes.
With Romelu Lukaku signed for a large transfer fee and Gareth Barry’s services retained, hopes were high for The Toffees to have a real go at finishing in the Champions League places for the first time in a decade. However, only 28 points from as many league games has left them in a precarious situation.
There is little doubt Martinez has encountered second season syndrome. He could do no wrong last season, but now he is in the midst of a crisis. Teams in England now seem to have worked out how to beat Everton and they have simply been found out good and proper.
Opposition teams are happy for the Merseysiders to dominate possession, happy to sit back and let Everton try to play through them and consistently they have been caught on the break. Their recent fixture against Stoke is a perfect example, 56% possession but no goals and no points.
In almost complete contrast to their Premier League form, they have been outstanding in Europe; beating high flying Wolfsburg twice and comfortably dispatching the highly rated Young Boys.
Where in the league, teams seem to have their number; European football appears to suit their style perfectly. Teams have come out and tried to attack and Everton have been able to play the high tempo football that served them so well last season.
They are quite rightly one of the favourites to win the whole tournament and, with that, qualify for next year’s Champions League. Martinez may be putting all his eggs in one UEFA branded basket. It’s a risky ploy.
Dynamo Kyiv await Everton in the last 16 and they will fancy their chances of at least making the quarter finals. But they are at an important crossroads in the Martinez project, are the fans at Goodison Park content to continue this difficult season in the hope of continuing in Europe?
The real answer to the current quandary Everton find themselves in is simple. Just as they have in Europe and just as they did last year, they need to find a way to win games. A club like Everton should not be looking over their shoulders with 10 games to go.
They have become a real Jekyll and Hyde and unless they can arrest their curiously poor League form, then the Hyde will be the dominating memory from this season. There are not yet safe and Martinez cannot feel fully secure in his position.
If he is a manager who is ready to be involved in elite football, he needs to come through this crisis. Europe may have been his saviour so far, but it won’t be there forever.
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