Emi Martinez

[darren woolley]

On top of the way we are playing with our outfield players often dominating games, it really helps on those occasions where the opponents get through having the best keeper in the world (IMO) at the back to bail us out. And he has. Fucking love Emi.

I absolutely agree with this TV.

[OCD]

Need him to work on encouraging Molina to come and join us.

[Footy-Vill]

Also, long passes will always be less accurate as it gives more time for a defender to recover. And what constitutes a bad long pass. Is it the first person to touch it or is it if possession is lost? If the first, would Torres pass that was almost intercepted be classed as a bad pass even though Mcginn the played it into Watkins path to score? If the latter, would a mis-control by the striker mean the long pass was incomplete?

You would expect the majority of long clearances under pressure to go to a defender, by simple reason of the fact that the number of defenders in the opponent's defensive third is nearly always greater than the number of attackers, so it's simple maths.

Let's not ignoring the main argument I'm making in this passing distribution issue of Martinez
However, let me make it more clear in outlining my worries. Make it simple like you say the simple maths.

First -there are concerns that Martinez appears ponderous in possession in open play because he is often observed standing still with one foot on top of the ball if he is not being pressed. Part of that is the game plan to entice the opposition press but Martinez has looked unconvincing with body language to show. That's because he doesn't have the passing range and ability of an outfield player.

He can pass safely by going sideways, and he usually does well with short passes. However, only 50% of his passes go to Watkins or the number 10#.  So Martinez, in my opinion, lacks the technical passing ability to break the lines,
Ok some of his diagonal passing has improved. But he's not at Ederson or Alison's level of creative distribution. And even Pickford from playing longer pass.

[Footy-Vill]

His long passing is rated as "strong" on Whoscored, and his overall pass completion rate is 80.3%, more or less the same as Ederson on 81%. Against West Ham, Emi's pass completion success was 89%. So the vast majority of his passes find their intended recipient, but there isn't a keeper in the Premier League who's not forced to punt it up field whilst under pressure occasionally. As I say, his ability on the ball and playing passes is the very foundation on which all our good play is based. We literally couldn't do what we do without him, or another keeper like him, of which there aren't many.

Furthermore, some opposing players have purposely given him more time on the ball as a result of knowing he doesn't pass as well as outfield players., I've observed Martinez pondering on a pass and he may give it to likes of Cash, Carlos and Kamara, who then struggle to distribute accurately or lose the ball when pressed

Although Emi rarely makes careless short passes, he has occasionally put some of the players I mentioned in jeopardy.

To be fair sometimes he has made good passing and shown patience from the begining our build-up play and have given Villa the platform and foundation for several good chances and goals.
But he hardly ever creates opportunities with a longer pass. This is what I'm getting at for the debate. Longer diagonal balls aren't necessarily  finding the player either.

But I'm also pointing out in this discussion that Martinez's passing, in terms of knowing when to speed up play and when to pass more longer to set up attacks sometimes isn't quite up to par for me and could improve.
Emi's vision to get the ball into half spaces seems to be lacking, in my opinion.
If we're looking critically and wanting improvements then looking at Martinez's decision-making abilities in passing creatively isn't nearly as good as what people are claiming

[Monty]

I think, and correct me if I'm wrong here, but I think he's a goalkeeper.

[Olneythelonely]

His heading could do with some work

[astonvilla82]

In agreement with footy

[astonvilla82]

I think

[AV82EC]

In agreement with footy

Have a word with yourself

[villa for life]

Also agree with footy’s comments

[Mellin]

I've only read footy's last two posts as, y'know, choose life. But if the argument is being made as "Martinez needs to improve this" rather than "We need to replace Martinez because of this", then it's all fair.

He's human. He's flawed. He's magnificent.

[villa for life]

Agree. He can still get better. Replacing /upgrading him is fraught with danger as Man U are experiencing. Just hope Emery’s goalkeeping coaches are as good as Emery.

[Somniloquism]

His heading could do with some work

Managed to put it on target with his noggin today.

[astonvilla82]

In agreement with footy

Have a word with yourself

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[Percy McCarthy]

There was some concern that playing out from the back was not his strongest strength

Fairly horrendous "insight" that was, as it turns out.

I would say to that Emi Martinez has had to acquire further skills and expertise necessary for passing out to players in addition to developing instincts to come out as Sweeper Keeper
Distribution has been developed with the coaching staff.

He's a special goalkeeper. A winner. World Class Number one in the world.
He has an aura when players come one-on-one and they are obviously intimidating by his presence he's totally world class at that however I don't think he's world class at distribution even though he has had some excellent passing out moment sometimes it could be better.

I think that's fair.

And you went on and on about his silly world Cup willy joke, questioning his temperament etc etc. You just talk such absolute fucking guff it's unreal

I remember one absolute belter in particular, which was the suggestion that Emery might play Olsen in a league match at Everton rather than Martinez, one of the main reasons being "he knows the ground".

It's an endless stream of horse-shit.

I remember the classic Olsen will likely play boxing day, as expect Martinez and Argentina to win the World Cup, and he'll be celebrating.I said that pre-tournament.
But if some choose to focus on only the inaccuracies or lack of context of what I write, that's their own misgiving. Everyone writes as much sense or nonsense as the next person.

You’ll be getting the Ballon-D’or for writing nonsense later today.