Why Everton are destined for disappointment

With Everton’s convincing 3-1 victory over champions Chelsea, two things occurred: Mourinho’s title hopes were – somewhat prematurely – written off by many observers, and there was talk that Roberto Martinez’s men could be this year’s surprise Premier League package. Both of these claims highlight the fickle nature of today’s football world.

Less than impressive starts for Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea have created opportunities further up the table. Every year there is always a team that exceeds expectations. The 2011-12 season being the most graphic example of this. Tottenham Hotspur qualified for the Champions League and below them in fifth, Newcastle United had threatened to break into the elite pack all season. In the end the Toon Army missed out by four points, but did finish above Chelsea.

At first glance the claim that Everton have the potential to be a surprise team appears valid, after all, they did flounder to an eleventh place finish last year. We only need to rewind the clock one more season to see, under Martinez, with fifteen goals from Lukaku, they finished in a solid fifth and qualified for the Europa League.

The curse of Thursday night football affected last season’s domestic performance, as it does with many of the smaller clubs that can’t afford to operate with a squad large enough to cope with the extra workload European football brings. Free from this distraction, it should be expected that the blue half of Merseyside rise again.

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What shouldn’t be overlooked is why they’ll fail to make the steps forward some think are now possible. Firstly, the teams that are currently struggling for form will re-emerge. The impotent Tottenham won’t spend a whole season looking toothless. It’s an absolute given that Chelsea will return to a top four position before long. And Everton’s cross-city neighbours have a squad more likely to produce over a long, thirty-eight game campaign.

Even if Everton feel up to the task of fending off the aforementioned teams, they suffer from one inherent problem: their manager. Roberto Martinez is often revered for his style of play, his approach to the game, his ethics, and even avoids derision for filming training sessions with a drone. It appears he has become a symbol for pioneering a better brand of football.

What his supporters fail to mention is that in football you don’t win prizes for philosophy or looking pretty. It’s a results first, style second business. Martinez’s failure to accept this saw his Wigan Athletic side relegated in 2013. Yes, they won the FA Cup but an honest chairman would prefer Premier League safety over secondary silverware.

Wigan’s relegation season highlighted that Martinez is far too often one-dimensional and stubborn with his approach. His sides lack a grit and steel required to exceed at a higher level. It was for this reason Wigan dropped out of the top flight and Everton just missed out on the Champions League. In 2014 fourth had been there for the taking, but they lacked the character to step into the opening. They’ll never have a better chance while Martinez remains at the helm.

If you’re looking for a "surprise" team this season, consider Crystal Palace. Alan Pardew managed to take an average Newcastle side to an authentic fifth place finish and now has The Eagles looking solid. And one thing Pardew’s teams never lack is fight and organisation from front to back.

While Everton will spend a season trying to look good, other teams will get down to the business of securing results.