Could Martinez take Toffees to new heights?

By David Lee Wheatley

Everton boss Roberto Martinez has already made a big impression at Goodison Park, while dismissing all of the doubts surrounding his appointment.

Some Toffees fans felt the signing of a manager who'd just suffered relegation with Wigan Athletic was a risky move, despite the fact Martinez had also captured the FA Cup against all odds during his final campaign at the DW Stadium.

However, Everton sit in fifth spot after 15 games of the Premier League and with only one defeat on their record thus far. Could this be the year that Everton finally break back into the top four some nine years on from the disappointment of losing during the preliminary stage of the Champions League against Spaniards Villarreal at the beginning of the 2005-06 season?

Martinez's task was always to keep the tight defensive shape enjoyed under predecessor David Moyes, while introducing a slicker attacking style to give Everton more of a threat going forward. The introduction of some exciting young talent, allied to the ability of the club to keep hold of the settled back four that served Moyes so well has given the Goodison faithful much to cheer about so far.

Excuberant stars such as Gerard Deulofeu, James McCarthy and Romelu Lukaku have been drafted in, while homegrown attacking midfielder Ross Barkley has become integral to the side. Also, Leighton Baines didn't follow Fellaini to Old Trafford despite strong interest from previous boss David Moyes and the result has been extraordinary.

Should Everton beat Fulham today, they could well be perched up in second place above local rivals Liverpool if the weekend's final scores go their way. The notoriously hard-to-beat Merseysiders have added a silky side to their game and it's paying spectacular dividends.

Many people scoffed at Jose Mourinho's summer claims that up to six teams were in the running for the Premier League title this time around, but his prediction doesn't look so wild now with the resurgence of the Toffees and, of course, the inconsistency of results at both Manchester clubs.

Realistically, Everton may not have enough to go all the way to championship glory, but it remains a distinct possibility that a Champions League qualifying position is on the cards for Martinez and his men.

Twitter: @davewh1980

Champions League challenge becomes greater for Gunners

 

By David Lee Wheatley

 

Arsenal's defeat at the hands of Rafa Benitez's Napoli plunged the Gunners into serious danger of receiving a perilous task in the last-16 of the competition when the draw takes place on Monday, but it could've been so much worse.

 

Arsene Wenger's men travelled to Naples full of hope that they'd capture top spot in the group and therefore avoid the biggest names in European football, but they failed spectacularly and could now face a tricky tie with one of the tournament favourites.

 

However, they will be thanking their lucky stars that the Italian side didn't manage to score just once more, as that would have seen the expulsion of Arsenal from this year's Champions League altogether.

 

Gonzalo Higuain and Jose Callejon put paid to a poor Arsenal last night, but they couldn't quite force a third goal that would've seen them advance in place of the Gunners. Now Wenger's chances of lifting the trophy look vastly more difficult when compared with that of eventual group winners Borussia Dortmund.

 

Spanish giants Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid all lie in wait, while European champions Bayern and French league leaders Paris Saint-Germain are both in the frame to meet the north Londoners. It's a frankly frightening scenario whichever team Arsenal find themselves paired with and that daunting thought does nothing for their ambitions of claiming Europe's premier trophy.

 

Many will argue that a club with designs on winning the Champions League must first negotiate matches against the very best our continent has to offer anyway, so what does it matter if the sternest test arrives at the last-16 stage?

 

However, there is the notoriously hard slog over Christmas domestically to battle beyond before the next European round begins and then it's about getting up to speed at that supreme continental level once again after more than two months away. Surely it would be preferable to meet a lesser side on resumption of the Champions League to ease your players back into the swing of the competition?

 

Elsewhere, fellow group victors Manchester United, Chelsea and Dortmund join the aforementioned illustrious names in the hat with the prospect of meeting runners-up such as Milan, Zenit, Schalke, Manchester City, Olympiakos, Galatasaray or Bayer Leverkusen (dependent on teams from the same country being kept apart).

 

Nobody will fancy the prospect of butting heads with City after their heroics in Munich on Tuesday and dark horses Galatasaray pose a threat with superstars Sneijder and Drogba within their ranks. The draw will make for very interesting viewing next week when the Champions League finally reaches the nitty-gritty of the knockout stages.

 

Twitter: @davewh1980    

 

 

Uwe Rosler: Big gamble or stroke of genius?

By David Lee Wheatley

Wigan Athletic's swift appointment of Brentford boss Uwe Rosler as their new manager caught many off-guard, with the expectation largely centered around a more experienced and perhaps high-profile figure being handed the job.

Latics owner Dave Whelan conceded a mistake had been made in his decision to install former Bolton and Burnley man Owen Coyle as the man charged with leading the club back to the Premier League following the disappointment of relegation last May. Coyle and Whelan failed to see eye-to-eye and the rift grew wider as the season progressed, eventually leading to the sacking of the ex-Ireland international striker.

Whelan publicly questioned Coyle's team selection and tactics towards the end of his reign, something the proud Lancastrian never felt the need to do in the past with any of his previous managers. However, the clash of personalities between himself and Coyle led to an outburst that signalled the end of the Glasgow-born supremo's time at the club and heralded the second search for a new man within six months.

Relative stability had been key to Wigan's eight-year stay in the top-flight under the likes of Paul Jewell, Steve Bruce and Roberto Martinez before the latter left for Everton with the FA Cup safely tucked away in the trophy cabinet at the DW Stadium. Now, outspoken owner Whelan will be desperate to see Rosler develop his own dynasty in the north-west after a surprise switch from Brentford this week.

The German took Brentford to the League One play-off final last term, before putting them in a handy fourth spot so far this season as they attempted to make the difficult leap to the Championship despite missing out in agonising fashion last time. His work didn't go unnoticed in the higher divisions and now he's been handed a golden opportunity to show what he can do at a better level.

Rosler watched on from the stands yesterday afternoon, as his new players fell 2-1 away to Millwall at the New Den leaving them lagging in mid-table obscurity. Matters could become precarious should Rosler fail to spark an instant upturn in fortunes, with a run of good results desperately required in order to avoid hurtling towards the drop zone. Athletic sit six points clear of the relegation spots, while there is currently a nine-point gap up to sixth and a prized play-off place.

Omens appear good in that Rosler has galvanised his Bees squad for another promotion charge after losing out at Wembley. It's not an easy task to motivate your players once more following such a blow, but the former Manchester City forward found a way to do so and will be searching for the same winning formula at Wigan. They too require a boost after the wind got sucked from their sails somewhat due to an ultimately sickening elimination from the Premier League.

Of course, Martinez preached an attractive passing style of football while at the Wigan helm and Rosler looks set to continue with that basic ideology. However, a lack of confidence is a major hindrance to those plans and he shall need to address that mental blockage as soon as possible. If he can quickly instil some belief in his squad, then his chances of success will increase greatly.

Jordi Gomez and Callum McManaman, both subs against Millwall, are the type of footballers that Rosler will look to in an attempt to reintroduce that flair and flowing football so long associated with the club. Workmanlike players will no doubt find themselves on the periphery as the German puts his own stamp on the outlook of his new side.

The 45-year-old did reasonably well while earning a grounding in the coaching arena with Lillestrom, Viking and Molde in Norway before finally returning to England to manage Brentford. There, he showed great resolve and determination to succeed in the face of certain setbacks and has forged a fine reputation on the League One stage.

All the signs are very encouraging for his imminent rise up a notch when beginning to lead a Championship club that have serious designs on at least a play-off slot this year and promotion within two campaigns. Rosler is well-liked and highly thought of across the football world and his stock will jump considerably should he haul Wigan back to the promised land in the near future.

Follow me on Twitter: @davewh1980