Apparently, the fine-tuning on the training grounds and eventual understanding of the 3-4-3 game-plan was what saved Wigan Athletic from what seemed a helpless relegation demise, so if this week we receive confirmation that Roberto Martinez is our new manager, will he want the same for the Reds?
I’d like to think that it was more like a flexible 5-2-3 than a pure 3-4-3 but whatever the thought and approach behind it, Roberto Martinez managed to obtain safety quite comfortably achieving some incredible results in the process and effectively was influential in the final outcome of the PL title race as well beating the odds and Man Utd at one go.
From February onwards, when the system seemed to start bearing its fruit, Wigan beat Liverpool (Anfield), Man Utd, Arsenal (Emirates) and Newcastle, as well as Bolton, Stoke, Blackburn and Wolves, drew with Everton, Villa, Norwich, West Brom, and lost to Swansea, Chelsea and Fulham. That progression to safety bore 8 wins, 4 draws and 3 defeats. One would ask, ‘then why did they have such a horrific start to the season?’ and the answer seems to point at the fact that Martinez overhauled the tactical imprint of the team mid-way through the season and it paid off!
Now I am not fully convinced that Martinez has what it takes (vis-à-vis the pressures of a big club), however I have not read any negative reports on the Spaniard and Steven Gerrard himself has come forward to say he will support him all the way (possibly to quash any doubts or rumours that the players will do another ‘Hodgson’) giving a serious hint that he will in fact be Liverpool’s next manager.
If this is the case than I hope that Jamie Carragher is ‘promoted’ to assistant manager to learn the ropes first hand and to ascertain a ‘link’ between the new manager and the backbone of the team. If Roberto Martinez is confirmed manager of Liverpool Football Club, we need to follow Stevie G’s example and support him all the way.