The season is nearly at an end now and in what has been an up and down campaign for Everton, it very much seems as though no heroes or villains are left to emerge for the remainder of 2014-15.
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With that in mind, now is as good a time as any to rate how the players have fared in Roberto Martinez’s second year as manager of the Blues.
Only players who have made ten or more appearances over the course of the season to date have been included.
Tim Howard – 4/10
It has been a very poor season for USA’s hero at the 2014 World Cup, as he has made a number of costly errors in between the sticks and has regularly failed to command his area or establish secure lines of communication with his defenders.
The American was very lucky to regain his place after Joel Robles impressively deputised during his spell out with injury at the turn of the year.
Leighton Baines – 6/10
The former Wigan man started in underwhelming fashion after a sub-par World Cup, with none of his trademark bursts forward down the left flank.
However, he has rediscovered his mojo in recent weeks and is starting to look like the top quality player we all know he is again.
Phil Jagielka – 7/10
For a period it seemed as though his days as a regular first team player were going to be numbered, such was the poor start he made to the campaign, but he has been excellent for the last two months or so.
He is forming a superb centre-back partnership with John Stones and is now one of the first names on the teamsheet.
Sylvain Distin – 2/10
While Jagileka’s dip in form at the back end of 2014 looks to be a temporary blip, Sylvain Distin’s performances have been much more concerning. He has been a sensational servant to the Toffees since arriving from Portsmouth, but it now seems as though his days at Finch Farm are numbered.
It is no coincidence that Everton’s defence has looked far more secure since his removal from the first eleven.
Seamus Coleman – 6/10
In many ways his season has followed exactly the same pattern as fellow full-back Baines, as he started in surprisingly tentative fashion, but he has been back at his brilliant best in the last couple of months.
Vibrant in attack and solid at the back – if only that could be said for the first three quarters of the campaign.
John Stones – 8/10
Despite being absent with injury troubles for a large part of the season, he has arguably been Everton’s best player of 2014-15.
Aside from a poor error that led to a penalty and a dismissal against Young Boys in the Europa League and a sub-standard showing against Aston Villa last Saturday, the youngster has barely put a foot wrong. Roberto Martinez simply must hold onto him in the summer.
Antolin Alcaraz – 3/10
It would be a massive surprise if Alcaraz made more than ten appearances in a blue shirt next season. He is calm and composed in possession, but his defensive fragilities have been clinically exposed almost every time he has featured in 2014-15.
The Paraguayan is surely not a part of Martinez’s long-term plans for the Blues.
Aiden McGeady – 4/10
Unlike most of the players, he started brilliantly, with a wonderful goal against Leicester, but has faded dramatically since then, with injuries not exactly helping his cause.
The winger has bags of ability and lightning quick feet, but he is yet to assert himself fully in an Everton shirt – next season could be a big chance for the Republic of Ireland international to prove himself.
Kevin Mirallas 7/10
He received a lot of criticism for the penalty fiasco against West Brom and his commitment to the cause has been called into question, but his quality simply cannot be doubted.
The Belgian has weighed in with 11 goals this season and has been the difference-maker whenever he has played in a campaign that has been somewhat blighted by injuries.
Steven Naismith 6/10
He has been in and out of the team and played out of position at times, so it is hard to say he has had anything but an OK season.
The Scotland international has been his usual brilliant best when deployed in behind the striker, but he has confusingly found his chances limited by the constant presence of Ross Barkley.
Roberto Martinez’s tactical choices have hindered him somewhat, but he still has a lot to offer.
James McCarthy – 8/10
A fans’ favourite, and rightly so. The ex-Wigan midfielder has been at his energetic best in 2014-15 and has excelled with whoever he has shared the defensive midfield role with.
He is an ever-present in the side and will be a huge part of Everton’s future – should he stay of course.
Muhamed Besic – 7/10
Like Steven Naismith, Besic has been unlucky to have seen his appearances limited, due to the originally baffling decision to select Gareth Barry ahead of him.
Barry is his hitting form again now, but when he wasn’t it was hard to see why he was keeping Besic on the bench.
The Bosnian got tongues wagging with Blues fans with his committed and no-nonsense displays earlier on in the campaign.
The early signs in his debut season in the Premier League have been positive – he could be a massive player in future years.
Gareth Barry – 6/10
The midfielder was one of many who started the season in less than impressive fashion, committing mistakes all over the shop and not offering anything in the final third.
However, he finally seems to have settled into a rhythm now and is dominating matches with his intelligent positional play in the centre of the park – a much-needed cool head in recent weeks.
Ross Barkley – 5/10
Try as he might, and you have to admire him for his attitude, Barkley simply hasn’t built on his promise from last season.
Although still a huge talent, some poor decision making and lack of awareness, coupled with a detrimental desire to impress have all been factors in a difficult campaign for the youngster.
In the interest of squad strengthening, Roberto Martinez should seriously consider any big money offers that come in for him.
Leon Osman – 6/10
He has been limited to bit-part roles and that is the way it is likely to stay.
The one-club midfielder is a decent option off the bench for a cameo, but he should not be commanding a regular place in the starting eleven anymore.
His experience alone is worth a place in the squad for 2015-16, though.
Aaron Lennon – 8/10
The speedy winger has been one of the main reasons behind Everton’s renaissance in the latter parts of the season.
He has bagged goals, won penalties and inspired his teammates to compete with the same tireless work rate as himself. Every Everton fan would love to see him back at Goodison Park next year.
Romelu Lukaku – 7/10
An unconvincing start to his first season as a permanent Everton player after a busy World Cup and lack of pre-season had Blues fans disillusioned with his hefty price tag.
However, for the most part he has had a solid campaign, netting a very impressive 19 goals along the way and looking a good bet to break the 20-goal barrier.
His hold-up play and touch have also improved as the season has progressed and it very much looks as though the Belgian will be a huge asset for the Toffees going into 2015-16.
What Now?
So, where does this leave us for next season? Well, a goalkeeper of established quality is a must, considering the poor form of Tim Howard and Martinez’s reluctance to field Joel Robles.
Additionally the Blues could do with a back-up right-back for Seamus Coleman due to Tony Hibbert’s age and injury problems, while a proven centre-back or two are a must.
It doesn’t seem as though Arouna Kone is destined to light up the Premier League with Everton, so a striker to take the goalscoring burden off Lukaku is also needed.
In short, there is work to be done in the summer transfer window.