Team Focus: Are Everton Fans Right to Fear Martinez Appointment?

Roberto Martinez is lovely isn't he? Ask Dave Whelan and he'll tell you that he is one of the top managers in Europe.

It's odd then that Everton fans don't seem entirely likely to welcome the Spaniard with open arms, and the likelihood of hiring a manager that has just seen his side relegated isn't sitting well with many.

The last manager hired by a Premier League side fresh off of the back of a relegation from the top flight was Alex McLeish, with Villa fans unable to regale in tales of fondness for Big Eck, other than that of his departure. The scenario is of course different here, and you're unlikely to see protests the likes of which hung over that appointment if Martinez does take over from Moyes, but similarities can be drawn.

The Scot was given credit for winning the Carling Cup as his Birmingham side were massive underdogs against Arsenal, though many feel that it formed somewhat of a disguise for what was ultimately a poor campaign domestically.

That is something that rings true with pessimistic Toffees supporters, who claim that it's all well and good that Wigan won the FA Cup, again as the huge outsiders against Man City, but they weren't good enough to stay in the Premier League.

The same fans will question that if Wigan played the attractive and impressive football that plaudits have claimed, why were they embroiled in a relegation battle in the first place?

The fact is that such concerns are completely understandable.

Everton took a big step towards challenging for Europe once again in their final season under David Moyes, who built a squad and playing style that has become so effective due to its familiarity. Were Martinez to come in it seems more than likely that he would look to utilise his favoured formation, and in turn changes in personnel may need to be made.

It is true, though, that Martinez did have his Wigan side - one that was assembled on pennies in comparison to others in the league - playing free-flowing passing football at times. In fact, the Latics averaged more possession (54.4% to 52.9%) and a better pass accuracy (82.5% to 79.4%) than Moyes' Everton last season, and although they finished in 18th, nine sides conceded more shots per game in 2012/13 (14.1).

Wigan's main problem boiled down to some truly woeful individual gaffes at the back and in goal, with 17 errors leading to goals unsurprisingly a league high. However, Everton's defence is not Wigan's. The Toffees committed just 7 errors leading to goals in comparison, with only four teams managing fewer.

Martinez would clearly inherit a backline far more capable than he has been used to having at the DW Stadium, with only three sides conceding fewer goals than the Toffees (40) last season. With that in mind the switch may not be such a bad fit after all, with the Spaniard's tendency to use wing-backs certainly an intriguing one with the players that could be at his disposal.

The future of Leighton Baines is by no means certain but there is no doubt that the attacking side of his game is one that suits a forward thinking role. On the opposite flank the form of Seamus Coleman in the second half of the season was also encouraging, and the young Irishman is more than capable of playing in an equally advanced position. Martinez was at Wembley to see both in action, with the latter putting in an assured display for Ireland, while both Mirallas and Fellaini were on the scoresheet for Belgium in a 4-2 victory over USA on Wednesday.

Under Moyes, the vast majority of Everton's attacking play was orchestrated down their left hand side, and indeed the joint most in the division at 42%, but who was that figure joint with? Why Wigan, of course. The two teams are incredibly similar when looking at the percentage of their attacking touches coming from the left, centre and right side of the pitch, and the transition may not be too radical after all.

While the Toffees utilise Baines' excellent delivery, Wigan lean towards Beausejour to do the same, and it's no surprise to see the players rank first and second for accurate crosses from left-sided players in the division last season, with 106 and 69 respectively.

The use of wing-backs would of course lead to a move to three at the back, and it's worth noting that Moyes did experiment with a 3-man back line in one game last season, winning 1-0 at home against Stoke, so the system is something that will have been worked on briefly in training.

While Jagielka and Distin had excellent seasons, picking up WhoScored.com ratings of 7.17 and 7.16 respectively, it remains to be seen if Martinez would opt to replace former club player of the year Johnny Heitinga. The Dutchman was way down in the ratings at 6.44, and despite boasting the best pass accuracy (82.8%) of the three centre-backs, he's shown weaknesses when in a physical battle.

When thinking of positions that could be strengthened, that may be one that is looked into by the board, with the futures of the aforementioned Baines and Fellaini likely to have a heavy weighting on any potential transfer budget. Elsewhere, a striker may well be on the agenda, with Nikica Jelavic having had one of those seasons, scoring just 3 goals since the start of November in 30 league appearances.

Meanwhile, a move for an out-and-out winger has also been touted and when managers move clubs it seems the media tend to believe that scouting pools don't stretch beyond their former clubs. In turn it's been no surprise to see that Callum McManaman has been linked, and with the fact that he's a scouser in mind, such a rumour falls into place nicely for the papers. The 22 year old ended the season well after controversy surrounding a horror tackle on Massadio Haidara, and ranked among the league's top 10 for minutes per successful dribble (35.4)

One man who may well profit from an advanced role in a 3-4-3 would be Kevin Mirallas, who slipped under the radar somewhat despite an impressive debut campaign. The Belgian ended the season with 6 goals, including 4 in his last 9 appearances, and he'll be keen to add more to his Everton account if pushed further forward.

However, the problem area in playing such a system may well be how to utilise Steven Pienaar. The South African was a key player under Moyes, with his combination play with Baines down the left being the real jewel in the Everton crown. While it's not beyond the 31 year old to play wide in a front three, his work rate on the flank is an asset. Interestingly, though, Wigan's playmaker Shaun Maloney also played ahead of their top crosser on the left side, so again, it's a transition that is far from beyond the realms of possibility.

Everton fans may take some convincing that a relegated manager is the right man to lead their club back into Europe, but Martinez's way of thinking could yet be just the change in direction that the club need.