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Attempting to pick out the positives from another defeat

Our season continued to dribble away in disappointing fashion this weekend, losing 2-1 to an Everton team managed by the under fire Roberto Martinez.

To hand a side in such poor form (The Toffees had not won in seven games) three points with yet another display that – for the most part - lacked the fight we have recently become known for was more than a little depressing. That’s now five defeats in our last six games, and the players just seem to want the season to be over - and as a fan the feeling is mutual.

But being negative in these articles is getting dull, so instead I’ll attempt to scrape together some positives from another largely disappointing weekend.

We’re safe!

I’ll start with a positive that isn’t even related to our match against Everton, and that perhaps says it all. After Arsenal’s win over Norwich in the 5:30pm kick off our mathematical safety was assured, and we’ll definitely be playing in the top flight for a second season - quite the achievement, especially considering some of the injuries we’ve suffered this campaign…

Callum Wilson

With one of those injuries being to striker Callum Wilson. I actually forgot quite how important a part of our team Wilson was, considering he’s been out nearly the entire season - but now he’s regaining his confidence and strength it’s all starting to come back to me.

He did a number on Everton’s Matthew Pennington for our goal for example, out muscling the youngster and then setting up Marc Pugh with a well placed ball across the box. I can see him causing defences a lot of problems next season if he plays alongside Josh King too - a pair with both power and frightening pace.

Harry Arter

After Howe suggested that Harry Arter would likely not play again this season due to injury, you might consider it a little surprising to see the Republic of Ireland midfielder in our starting eleven on Saturday - but Eddie has already built up a reputation for pulling similar selection tricks in the past.

In any case it was great to see Arter back, and although he clearly wasn’t fully fit it was good to see what was almost our strongest possible first eleven on the pitch.

Roberto Martinez hangs on

Helping an opposing manager stay in a job might be a strange positive to take from a game, but I’m struggling to think up enough positives here - so I hope you’ll allow me this one.

Martinez staying at Everton is good for two reasons - the first being that he could oversee a season of struggle next season, and another team battling against relegation alongside us (as that’s likely what we’ll be doing in our next top flight campaign) is always welcome.

The second is that it means Howe won’t be approached to take over as their next manager - as The Toffees have been rumoured to be interested in our ‘special one.’ Not that Howe is going anywhere that is - after confirming his commitment to AFCB pre-match.

One more game to the season being over

Only two more games left to get through. Yes, this is actually a positive when you consider our recent performances.