The Roberto Martinez revolution at Everton had certainly won over the fans last season. It was never going to be easy for Martinez to succeed David Moyes, who had done a wonderful job at Goodison Park during his 11-year spell, but the Spaniard swooped in and instantly forged his own identity at the club.
Deploying an attractive free flowing style of football at Goodison Park which the fans had been starved of under the previous regime, Martinez won the backing of the supporters early on and more importantly, was able to integrate the beautiful brand of play along with the desired results.
Consequently, Everton maintained their style as well as substance throughout the course of the campaign and finished in 5th position ahead of the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.
In a bid to consolidate on their fine campaign heading into the new season, Martinez has recruited the services of a couple of major players in the form of Romelu Lukaku, Gareth Barry and Muhamed Besic, and the level of optimism surrounding the Everton fans at the moment is through the roof – with many even expecting a top four finish.
However, Martinez has now gone on to keep the Everton’s fans’ expectations under check by stating that it will be very tough for Everton to finish in the top four during the upcoming campaign.
While Martinez maintained that he is looking to guide the Toffees to a top four finish, the Spaniard stated that with the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur likely to improve this season and last year’s top four Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal all getting stronger – Everton will have to do very well in order to finish in the Champions League positions.
Martinez said, “I think the Premier League this season will be quite unique because of the number of teams fighting to get into the top four. Manchester United will be a force, 100 per cent, the top four of last season [Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal] will be stronger and I think Spurs will benefit from all the investment of a year ago.
“But I would like to believe we will benefit from being together for 12 months and we will be stronger. I will never shy away from trying to get Champions League football because that has to be where we’re trying to get to. When it’s going to be, I don’t know, but it shouldn’t be down to just money to get into the top four positions.”
Everton kick off their Premier League campaign with a clash against new boys Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
