Ahead of our midweek match against Everton at Selhurst Park, we asked life-long fan of the Toffees Charlie Magee-Wood a handful of questions on the season so far, thoughts on the match, the futures of Romelu Lukaku and Roberto Martinez along with what the new investment could mean for the club.
Q. How has Everton’s season been since we last met in the Premier League?
Everton have been very disappointing since we last played you. This has been much of a surprise considering the depth and quality in the squad with the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Ross Barkley and Gerard Deulofeu to name a few. Unfortunately, Martinez’s tactical awareness has let us down and we have let many leads slip due to our defence. Also, many teams like Leicester City, West Ham United and Watford have stepped up to the challenge this time around making it even tougher to gain all three points in matches especially for Everton.
Q. What were your opinions of the reverse fixture at Goodison Park where two late goals shared the points?
Well that sums up the season for us. We have conceded far too many goals at home with I believe only three wins at Goodison Park all season. Palace are a quality side and attacked us on the break through Wilfried Zaha and Yannick Bolasie which is where our weaknesses lay. The bitter fact is that Everton’s defensive tactics simply have not worked and that is an area that seriously has to improve if we are to have better success next season.
Q. I believe it is safe to say that a large percentage of Everton fans want Roberto Martinez out of Goodison Park. Should he go? If so, who would you like to replace him?
I have kept my patience with Martinez all season. However, the loss at home to West Bromwich Albion and the irritating West Ham game where we let a two goal lead slip with twenty minutes which we ended up losing 3-2 loss have proved that Martinez has lost trust in the players and the fans. Even more so after Leighton Baines had to apologise for his remark against Martinez’s tactics. With Everton sitting twelfth in the table behind West Brom I would have to say farewell to him. A manager I would love to bring in is Manuel Pellegrini because with the new investment we will be able to afford him. I believe he could bring more confidence and experience into the squad and maybe keep some vital players such as Lukaku and Barkley.
Q. There are rumours I am sure you are aware of that Romelu Lukaku is eyeing a move away from Everton in search of Champions League football. How do you feel about this and what would it mean to Everton’s chances of a higher finish next season?
Lukaku has been a vital player this season in keeping our team as high as we are. He is phenomenal and I can absolutely understand that he would want Champions League football from the quality he brings to a team. I hope Niasse can build confidence as he will be very important for our chances next season, if Lukaku was to move onto greener pastures.
Q. With Farhad Moshiri investing in Everton and rumoured to gain full control of the club over time, what are your opinions of the boardroom makeover?
Personally, I am very excited as we have been looking for investors over the last ten years. From his shareholding experience at Arsenal I believe he is a loyal, trustworthy and safe individual to have in the boardroom. I feel that good times are ahead if managed appropriately and I hope we can invest money in bigger and better signings so we can try push for a higher finish next season.
Q. If you could sign one player now in an attempt to save your season, who would it be and why?
I would sign a defensive coach to help Martinez as he does not have a clue how to defend and hold on to a lead. Take the recent draw against Watford as an example, going a goal up on in first half injury time then loosing that lead within the next two minutes before the break simply is not good enough in the Premier League.
Q. Can Everton win the FA Cup?
Yes. I believe the players and the fans know that the cup is the most important thing left for Everton this season and winning it will give this run something to cherish and remember apart from the disappointing low finish in the league.
Q. What are your thoughts on Palace this season?
At the start of the season I thought Palace were going to finish in a high position but I have been surprised, like many others, to see your dramatic slump in form without much of an explanation. I do not believe you will be relegated as you have too much quality in the squad and there are a handful of teams far worse than Palace. I still believe it is the prolific and less injury prone striker you are missing, having one like Lukaku, Harry Kane or Jamie Vardy would be worth their weight in gold.
Q. Name a player from each side that the opposition should be concerned about.
For Everton it has to be Lukaku because of his clinical eye for goal. As for Palace, I will have to say Zaha due to his pace and skill, something our defenders always struggle against.
Q. Your prediction?
My heart says an Everton 2-1 win but realistically I think it will be 1-1 because of our slumps in form. Plus, we like a good draw!
Q. Tell us how you became an Everton fan and are there any fan blogs you can recommend?
I became an Everton fan from my father who is from the blue half of Merseyside and always supported the Toffees. All my other relatives are Liverpool fans so the rivalry is strong in the family! I full recommend Everton fan site ‘Blue Heart Blue Soul’ which I often check out.
