Premier League 2013-14: Season Predictions

Everton

For the first time since 2001-02, the home dugout at Goodison Park will not be occupied by David Moyes at the season's resumption. Moyes has taken up the coveted Man United job, while Roberto Martinez has been recruited to fill the unenviable task of replacing the man who made the Toffees into a solid Top 8 team, always on the fringes of Europe. Much of the transfer outlay that has been spent has undoubtedly been Martinez' influenced; Arouna Koné, Joel Robles and Antolin Alcaraz have all been poached by Wigan. Yet, this poaching from his friend and former colleague at Wigan, chairman Dave Whelan, can prove to be vital and could help make the transition smoother and allow the squad grasp the new passing style of play bed in quicker. However, among the fanfare of these arrivals, rumours of Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines re-joining David Moyes at United are aplenty. So far Everton have remained firm in their battle to keep the two players who contributed much to their 6th place finish last season with their surety and significant goals outlay. So, while rumours of those two swell around the gossip columns until September 2nd, Martinez faces that battle, as well as the one of tinkering Everton's style of play to what he wants, which will manifest itself as a long term project. This may mean a dip in the finishing position for now, yet they will return to their regular positional area under Moyes sooner rather than later. Prediction:9th