Tricky fixtures see Roberto Martinez on the brink at Everton

Considering the praise Everton manager Roberto Martinez received around six months ago for leading the Toffees to their best points tally in the Premier League, it seems strange to think he’s potentially just a handful of games away from being sacked, but that’s the Spaniard’s reality at present.

Everton haven’t come close to replicating the highs of 2013/14, and are currently languishing in the bottom-half, enduring a six-game winless run on the division. It doesn’t get any easier for the Merseyside outfit, with a ruin of tricky games to come.

A resurgent Crystal Palace side at Selhurst Park will be a test, but clashes against Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal in the coming weeks won’t help matters. Form shown by Everton this season doesn’t give supporters much hope that they will pick up many points during that tricky period, which could see Martinez walking the tightrope.

No manager is unsackable, and drastic measures will certainly be taken if a club’s long-term future is at stake. Everton have enjoyed strong top-half finishes largely for the last decade in the Premier League, but are currently closer to the relegation zone than 10^th place.

The season is well past the mid-point now, and Everton can’t hit last season’s points tally even if they won all their remaining league games. Everything in going against the manager at present, and there is only a slim hope in the Europa League that could turn things around in his favour.

Everton are being ruled out of a top-six finish in the Premier League already, while out of both domestic cups too, but their European dream remains the only solace from a disappointing campaign under Martinez. And he’s the man who shoulders the blame. Everton chairman Bill Kenwright won’t want to let the Spaniard go on a knee-jerk reaction. Any decision made won’t be on one result alone, but on the club’s future past this season.

Relegation is still a possibility, given the Blues are only four points above the drop zone at present. So their position in the table, and Premier League status are both under threat, they have a difficult run of games to come that could see problems ensue in the weeks ahead.