Breaching Roberto Martinez's philosophy

[hjperdeath 2,226]

Roberto Martinez’s Everton are set to welcome Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea to Goodison park. Roberto Martinez’s philosophy led Wigan to an FA Cup win against Manchester City, but he was still looking for fresher pastures. With David Moyes’s move to Manchester United, Martinez took the hot seat.

To get down to the basics, Everton are a team that dominate possession. They had 67.5% possession against Norwich, and 62% against West Bromwich Albion. This is how their lineup has looked -

Since their philosophy is based on possession, triangles are obvious and you might have guessed it right. Without forming those triangles they fail to keep possession. They have however done a much better job than Chelsea at this strategy. They keep the play moving and smoothly move from one shape to another.

A back 4 of Baines, Distin, Jagielka and Coleman are solid at the back, while remaining a threat upfront. Distin and Jagielka play static roles, while Coleman and Baines bombard forward, though it is quite obvious. In the pivot we have Osman and Fellaini. Osman’s the typical holding midfielder, that drops deep to prevent counter-attacks and break up play. In front we have a rotating system of Mirallas, Barkley and Pienaar. They can easily take up each other’s roles. Upfront we have Jelavic, who can be replaced by Kone. Jelavic has the ability to drift wide, fall deep and burst forward with intelligence. One of the few EPL players, who rely on smartness rather than ability to score goals.

Now lets look at transitions -

The team defends deep and as a unit. They press high, but in a unique fashion. They have phases of pressing. When the ball approaches the middle third, the front three (encircled in light red), compact the pitch and press together, while roaming out of position. If the ball manages to get past it, then the second phase begins with the middle three (encircled in black), pressing. However they have a more disciplined way of pressing which involves not moving out your positions. If they do move, then they leave holes to be exploited.

The full-backs are catalyst’s for counter-attacks. The moment the ball is won they bombard forward, without looking at what’s happening. If the ball is lost, they come back in time again. Pace is a key attribute.

The midfield needs to play smart. If Chelsea are to cut down their movement, and put in some key interceptions, they can get Everton at their throats. Press on Osman and Barkley, and you can dominate possession

While attacking, Everton remind you of Bayern Munich. The full-backs push high up the pitch, with Osman falling back to form a 3 man defense, akin to that Martinez had at Wigan. Fellaini is crucial due to his ability to read a play well and fall back when necessary. When he does, they are able to form a 4 man defense again. Pienaar and Jelavic have an interesting combination of switching roles. However the winger can also cut inside and act as a second striker, supporting Jelavic and dragging defenders.

Belgium’s Mirallas, is the one with the higher work-rate. He can cut in and get back to defend.

The #10 area, has seen many users. Fellaini drops in fast into the hole, Mirallas and Pienaar cut inside there when the full-backs are high up the pitch, and Jelavic drops deep to bring the wingers into play.

Another interesting philosophy that Everton seem to apply is cornering the full-backs. It’s something that I’ve heard about rather than observed. Basically it is when the Everton full-backs push forward with the ball against an oncoming opposition full-back while Mirallas and Pienaar come across to receive a pass with Fellaini acting as the third connector. This pressurizes the full-backs and corners them. To reveal them of this pressure, another opposition player joins in, opening up a hole that can be exploited. Quick passes, with smooth movement, and Everton look dangerous.

The problem they have faced is converting their possession into goals, something Jose is suffering with as well. Everton are a strong side, and with the game being played at Goodison Park, expect them to be a strong force.

EDIT: This article was written prior to Fellaini's departure to united. He is likely to be replaced by Gareth Barry.

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[CHOULO19 24,332]

They've looked incredible solid at the back (bar the Norwich game), but they have struggled to create much going forward. Not sure how that would change with McCarthy and Barry. Distin has been excellent for them in defense and Barkley is finally proving why he was so highly rated at the youth level. Will definitely be another tough cagey game, imo. But I think we can nick a 1-0 win with the quality we have in attack.

[NishC300 1,865]

Another amazing article!

Do you think with the pace of Willian and Hazard out wide, we could exploit the fact that their full backs push so high up the pitch?

[hjperdeath 2,226]

Another amazing article!

Do you think with the pace of Willian and Hazard out wide, we could exploit the fact that their full backs push so high up the pitch?

Hazard has to play. His defensive work-rate will be needed. Either KDB or Willian, both are equally good, but yeah I would definitely tend more towards Willian. Also me thinks, Oscar will be rested. Mata will get the nod.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Hazard has to play. His defensive work-rate will be needed. Either KDB or Willian, both are equally good, but yeah I would definitely tend more towards Willian. Also me thinks, Oscar will be rested. Mata will get the nod.

Hazard will play on the left, but on the right I'd rather Schurrle starts to snuff out the danger of Baines. Everything at Everton seems to go through him and when Bellamy man marked him at the weekend Everton struggled to create anything and Baines was terrible throughout the match.

[hjperdeath 2,226]

Hazard will play on the left, but on the right I'd rather Schurrle starts to snuff out the danger of Baines. Everything at Everton seems to go through him and when Bellamy man marked him at the weekend Everton struggled to create anything and Baines was terrible throughout the match.

Agreed, but depends on whether Jose want's to stop them or do his own thing so that they worry about us. Can't believe how Baines ended up getting MOTM though.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Agreed, but depends on whether Jose want's to stop them or do his own thing so that they worry about us. Can't believe how Baines ended up getting MOTM though.

Got absolutely shredded by Bellamy. I also think Azpi should start ahead of Iva to actually stop crosses from coming into the box.

I think their pivot can be prone to making mistakes if we apply high pressure like we did in the first half against Hull and to some extent against Villa. Osman, if he starts, is excellent at making great recoveries and tackles but can sometimes be out-muscled off the balled (not that any of our front four is particularly good at out-muscling opponents).

[TrippingStep 336]

Benitez had Martinez system in his pocket.

The way we neutralized them and countered Wigan last year was great.

[Heisenberg 1,824]

Everton had a brilliant summer signings, they still need time however, I feel we are more prepared than them for this match, we had big tests in this start of the season and mentally we are ready to go to war, and Goodison Park is a very good battlefield.Mourinho is just what we need for such difficult but most-win games, he'll prepare the team to counter-attack when needed, and to press/keep the ball, depends of the score and the game time, I dont think he'll change much of the team that played against Bayern, we'll need a good spirit to win this match.Eden and Schurrle on the wings to stop Baines & Coleman in every sense, van Ginkel IMO needs to play, his energy and defensive work-rate are much more needed than Lampard's passing and attacking aptitudes, I hope Mourinho will only make one change, a difficult match it will be.

[zolayes 14,489]

we often find Everton difficult to break down but confident about this game ..UNLESS we pick up injuries in these DAMNED internationals

[hjperdeath 2,226]

we often find Everton difficult to break down but confident about this game ..UNLESS we pick up injuries in these DAMNED internationals

Agreed, it'll be much different this time around. Hopefully Eden comes back safe and sound.

[zolayes 14,489]

Agreed, it'll be much different this time around. Hopefully Eden comes back safe and sound.

I want them ALL back safe and sound except Moses perhaps

[The Skipper 20,593]

Replace Osman with Barry, and replace Fellaini with McCarthy and the system already works a lot better for them (genuinely think McCarthy is better for Martinez's system than Fellaini is).

Add in the fact that Lukaku will most likely replace Jelavic and they're really a threatening side.

We must bring our A game here and challenge Everton for possession. Mata and Luiz can provide us with the edge to control possession. Hazard and Willian must play to exploit the spaces Coleman and Baines will leave when they transition into attack, where we will be able to counter attack effectively.

It'll be a very tough game because Everton have signed well. Bring it on though!

[hjperdeath 2,226]

Replace Osman with Barry, and replace Fellaini with McCarthy and the system already works a lot better for them (genuinely think McCarthy is better for Martinez's system than Fellaini is).

Add in the fact that Lukaku will most likely replace Jelavic and they're really a threatening side.

We must bring our A game here and challenge Everton for possession. Mata and Luiz can provide us with the edge to control possession. Hazard and Willian must play to exploit the spaces Coleman and Baines will leave when they transition into attack, where we will be able to counter attack effectively.

It'll be a very tough game because Everton have signed well. Bring it on though!

I don't see Osman leaving though. He's been quite good in that defensive hole. Read's well, defends well. If Barry impresses in training then he might start. Even I wanted Willian to start, but I think most would say Schurrle has proved himself with his defensive work-rate, so that's debatable too.

[OneMoSalah 8,785]

Typical Martinez side, nice on the eye but will struggle defensively due to their full backs being so far up the park.

[The Skipper 20,593]

I don't see Osman leaving though. He's been quite good in that defensive hole. Read's well, defends well. If Barry impresses in training then he might start. Even I wanted Willian to start, but I think most would say Schurrle has proved himself with his defensive work-rate, so that's debatable too.

Osman has definitely done pretty well but Barry is a specialist in that role, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him starting over Osman.

Regarding Willian/Schurrle, I wouldn't mind either. Schurrle probably has the edge defensively but offensively Willian is better, more creative, however Willian is also pretty good defensively, he works very hard and has the right positional sense, but Schurrle is slowly catching form so I wouldn't mind either playing. That's the beauty of having great options in your squad.

[hjperdeath 2,226]

Typical Martinez side, nice on the eye but will struggle defensively due to their full backs being so far up the park.

True with Wigan, but this time he has Baines and Coleman. If we don't penetrate their flanks, and instead concentrate on the center, then we might have problems.

Osman has definitely done pretty well but Barry is a specialist in that role, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him starting over Osman.

Regarding Willian/Schurrle, I wouldn't mind either. Schurrle probably has the edge defensively but offensively Willian is better, more creative, however Willian is also pretty good defensively, he works very hard and has the right positional sense, but Schurrle is slowly catching form so I wouldn't mind either playing. That's the beauty of having great options in your squad.

The last line, people need to see this .

[OneMoSalah 8,785]

True with Wigan, but this time he has Baines and Coleman. If we don't penetrate their flanks, and instead concentrate on the center, then we might have problems.

The last line, people need to see this .

I feel that Everton don't have enough quality players in the center to hurt us bar Osman and Barkley (depending on how he plays). They will attack through the wings, from what I've seen they seem to prefer to play through the channels as opposed to wide areas.

We can do two things I feel:

1) we can look to counter against them (typical Jose)

2) take control of the game and make them do all the hard work (which I'd prefer to see us do)

Since we are away from home I'd expect to see us go and play on the counter which will suit us due to how high they get their fullbacks and that their wingers usually come inside making them very vulnerable in wide areas defensively.

We should be looking to pick up all 3 points here though, no matter who they play or who we play.