High time for Roberto Martinez to realise Everton's potential

Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s Capital One Cup semi-final second leg at Manchester City, Everton boss Roberto Martinez gave his full backing to one of the club’s leading lights.

After a high-profile error led to Swansea’s first goal in their 2-1 win at Goodison Park on Sunday, John Stones’ poor form has attracted much criticism.

But in typical fashion, the former Wigan manager leapt to the defender’s defence on Tuesday, telling the press:

Martinez has never been far from hyperbole when speaking about members of his exciting, if flawed, Everton side.

In October 2014 he said of midfielder Ross Barkley: “There is no doubt in my mind he will be the best player England has ever had.”

Even earlier this month he had nothing but glowing, if over-the-top, praise for Gareth Barry, saying: "For me, he is one of the best English players ever.”

On the eve of one of the club’s biggest games in 21 years and a shot at their first silverware since the FA Cup in 1995, Martinez has stayed true to the positivity that has defined his two-and-a-half years at the helm of the Toffees. But the weight of the club’s recent history hangs over the tie at the Etihad stadium, with Everton 2-1 up from the first leg.

David Moyes oversaw a period of great stability at the club, where Everton continually punched above their weight in the league, but failed to ever land a meaningful knock-out blow.

The sense that the Scot operated underneath a glass ceiling was evident from their failure to win away at a top-four Premier League club in the entirety of his 11-year reign and their failure to succeed during big-pressure moments.

Louis Saha scored the fastest goal in FA Cup final history in the 2009 final, before Chelsea powered over the line in the second-half. Nikica Jelavic had given Everton a deserved half-time lead in the 2012 FA Cup semi-final, before Moyes’ men set back and let Liverpool back into the game.

In his first season in charge Martinez smashed the perception of that glass ceiling. The irony that a 1-0 win at Old Trafford in December of that year – their first in 21 years – came against their former boss was not lost on many Evertonians.

A progressive style of play saw them leap beyond the expectations that Moyes often set, but with a top-four place in full sight Everton fell away despite registering their highest ever Premier League points tally.

Martinez has failed to kick on, and well into his third year in charge, the Spaniard is still finding it hard to shake the underdog mentality that gripped the club under his predecessor. Chairman Bill Kenwright famously said that Martinez's first words on being offered the job were, "I'll get you in the Champions League."

While he has brought a sense of footballing bravado to Goodison Park, the Toffees look further away from football's top table despite the inarguable improvements to the squad. They remain the nearly club that they have been ever since their glory days in the 1980s ended.

Everton can play with a vim and intensity that backs up Martinez’s optimism. At their relentless best they are a match for any Premier League side, as Manchester City and Tottenham have both found out this month. But over a long period they have been significantly under-performing.

In Romelu Lukaku, Gerard Deulofeu, Ross Barkley and John Stones they have an exceptionally talented young spine. But youth brings possibility, not guarantees, and Everton’s 12th place standing in the league reflects that fact. Capable of occasional brilliance but lacking in ruthlessness and consistency, they are draw specialists.

There is no hiding from the concerning numbers:

Has Martinez hit the glass ceiling that Moyes could not break? Or are these the inevitable teething problems that come with youth? Everton are easy on the eye and the potential to grow is obvious, but that does not mean Martinez should be absolved for a season that is in danger of quickly becoming a lost opportunity.

With the league season petering out, attention naturally falls on the cups and the chance for Martinez to dispel the notion that he is a nearly man.

The thirst for silverware amongst the Goodison Park faithful is palpable. Martinez, after all, has that trophy-winning experience following Wigan’s unlikely FA Cup triumph in 2013. But the defensive shambles that he oversaw in four years at the DW Stadium has continued with him to Everton.

Despite seven years as a Premier League manager he is only 42, and he shares the same naivety that cost Brendan Rodgers his job at neighbours Liverpool. Rodgers oversaw two semi-final defeats in his final full season at Anfield as his reign slowly unravelled.

Martinez is from the same school of positive young coaches who preach an attacking style and an emphasis on possession. Everton are built in his image, they draw plaudits for their attractive style and their young spine, but in a season of rampant unpredictability they have fallen woefully short of supplying their own sub-plot.

Failing to beat Manchester City over two legs should not necessarily sound the death knell, but it is exactly the result Martinez needs to turn around his Everton reign and a club in dire need of the inspiration that a cup triumph can bring.