Four key areas Roberto Martinez and Everton must improve

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Everton must start performing defensively again

Under David Moyes, Everton’s strength lay in its defence. If the Toffee’s could sneak a goal, then they could largely be confident that they would be able to see it out. Everton’s current back four is unchanged from the one inherited from the Scot, but the performances are worlds apart.

The Toffees are leaky at the back, and December (against Bournemouth, Stoke, etc…) epitomised the Blues season as a whole. Everton’s poor defensive performance saw victories slip and vital 3 points lost. It is perahps unfair to blame either Martinez or the players fully for this: Both Jagielka and Baines have spent lengthy spells on the side-line, leaving an inexperienced, new and youthful back four in charge.

Do not be surprised if the reappearance of Baines and imminent re-arrival of Jagielka coincides with a revival in defensive fortune. Yet an excerpt of Osman’s autobiography revealed that Everton do not practice defending set pieces as it is deemed unimportant by both Martinez and Jones; astonishing for a Premier League side, and especially one which has conceded as many goals from set pieces as Everton has.

It seems that Martinez’s hand has been forced by players in recent weeks to begin practicing and this has shown on match day, but it must be made sure there is no return to the Spaniard’s old ways.