5 Keys to Everton's Season

Everton endured a frustrating campaign last season, as they failed to build on the momentum of Roberto Martinez’s first season in charge.

Having finished fifth in 2013/14, the Toffees aimed for solidity by recruiting two of that squad’s stars, Romelu Lukaku and Gareth Barry, on a permanent basis. However, they were only able to partially recover after a poor start, eventually finishing 11th.

These are the five crucial factors that will determine whether the Merseyside club are able to get back on track under Martinez’s stewardship, based on where they fell short last season and their most important areas.

They are unranked, with each one having an equally important role to play in whether the club succeed or fail this term.

Romelu Lukaku

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In many ways, Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku’s season mirrored that of Everton’s last term.

He was superb during the 2013/14 campaign, contributing 15 goals in the league. Last season, despite playing more than 300 minutes more than he had the season before, he managed to find the net just 10 times.

The former Chelsea man plays as the team’s attacking fulcrum, which sheds light on why Everton struggle when he isn’t on song. Martinez will need to coax Lukaku’s best form from him if the Toffees are to remain as reliant on the striker.

Ross Barkley

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One potential way that Martinez could mitigate the team’s reliance on Lukaku—and the 4-2-3-1 system that he utilised 27 times in the league last season, per Squawka—is Ross Barkley.

Still just 21, Barkley struggled to shoulder the burden of responsibility for creativity in the centre of the park last season. His lack of positional discipline meant he rarely stayed consistently involved during a game, and his return of just two goals was poor considering his immense talent.

Barkley’s nose for goal could see him converted into a makeshift striker this season should the need arise. If he is able to perform to his ability, Barkley—like Lukaku—will have a crucial say in Everton’s performance this season.

Recovering from 2nd-Season Syndrome

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A consistent problem that Martinez encountered at former club Wigan Athletic was an inability to improve year on year.

Everton fans must be fearful that the Spaniard’s trials and tribulations at the DW Stadium weren’t just a blip as they fell badly off the pace last year.

However, a more optimistic take on things will highlight the “second-season syndrome” that afflicts many clubs and managers. Martinez will have learned more about himself and the characters in the dressing room during last season’s troubled times than he did during his first season at the club.

The crucial thing will be how well Martinez can act upon this newly gleaned information.

Eradicating Individual Errors

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Everton’s normally solid defence fell apart at times last season. The 50 goals they conceded were 11 more than they let in during the 2013/14 season, many of which stemmed from individual errors.

At the turn of the year, their record for individual mistakes leading to goals was the joint-highest in all the top European leagues, per the Daily Mail. The team’s defence looked particularly shaky when it came to mainstays who are reaching the end of their careers, such as Sylvain Distin and Tim Howard.

Distin has now left the club, but Martinez may still need to look at recruiting fresh faces to shore up the back line, particularly if John Stones departs.

Phil Jagielka

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Happily for Martinez, club captain Phil Jagielka remains one of the Premier League’s most reliable centre-backs.

Jagielka was the club’s standout performer last season, and if Everton are to get anywhere near the Premier League top five again, they’ll need Jagielka to be at his superlative best.

At 32, Jagielka may be approaching the end of his peak as a defender, but last season’s showing suggests that Martinez will be able to rely on the Englishman for a few seasons longer at least.