Seasons » 2015-16 » Everton News
Martinez assures Sunderland's rivals over crucial game

Roberto Martinez says that his team's need to respond following their 3-1 defeat at Leicester City means that they won't roll over to Sunderland when the two teams meet at the Stadium of Light tomorrow evening.
The outcome of the televised encounter could decide the relegation battle between the Black Cats, Newcastle United and Norwich City — a win for Sunderland would send the other two clubs down to the Championship — but Martinez has made assurances that his team will be up for the fight.
“It's a huge, huge game," the manager said in a brief pre-match press conference at Finch Farm today. "Not just because of what Sunderland are playing for. Obviously, with two games to go for some of the teams and one game to go for the rest, I think the integrity of the Premier League has been the strongest of any league that you're going to see in Europe.
“From our point of view, it's more about reacting from our performance at Leicester, nothing else. So, I think there's no bigger assurance that we're all fighting and we'll all have to react tomorrow.
Martinez dismissed suggestions that he has to “win the players back” after their dreadful showing on Saturday that called into question the team's desire to play for their manager.
“There's not such a thing as ‘winning the players back'”, Martinez replied. “Two weeks a ago, we had a good response, a really strong performance to get a win at home against Bournemouth.
“At Leicester we got caught up in the atmosphere and celebration of a unique footballing achievement and that lack of intensity cost us. We never lost the fight, we scored late in the game … but if you don't match the intensity of your opponent it'll be very difficult.
“That's why our focus goes to tomorrow and only tomorrow and that intensity needs to be matched. Sunderland have go a very good record in their last six games at home … so we know exactly what we're going to face. There's no question that we need to be at our very best.”
The manager explained that Gareth Barry could be involved after recovering from a groin problem but ruled out Gerard Deulofeu, Phil Jagielka and Seamus Coleman from tomorrow's trip. That trio will have late fitness tests before the home game against Norwich at the weekend but only Jagielka is expected to have a chance of making it.
Martinez was asked how we would respond to critics who suggest that Everton's away record isn't as good as he himself has argued in recent weeks and also what, if any, assurances he has received from the hierarchy over the club's plans for the summer.
The Catalan refused to be drawn on the future or into any discussion over his side's record, reiterating instead that he was entirely focused on tomorrow's match.
"It's not a moment to respond to anything,” Martinez continued. “The only that matters to us is to avoid distraction, to avoid what happened at the weekend and to concentrate on Sunderland."
Reader Comments (102)
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4 Posted 10/05/2016 at 16:00:18
Please please go and save us having to listen to this drivel, it's doing my head in as he must think we are all idiots while he is wonderful.
5 Posted 10/05/2016 at 16:03:36
If Newcastle and Norwich are hoping that we can do them a favour, I pity them.
6 Posted 10/05/2016 at 16:04:07
The Derby and semi-final were huge, huge, games and you managed to cock both of them games up, so don't insult our intelligence Roberto! Most of our fans couldn't give a toss about the Sunderland game really.
Saying that I might have a sneaky bet on a Baines 1st goal and 2-0 win double.
7 Posted 10/05/2016 at 16:05:55
That's the truest thing he's said in a long time, his relationship with players and fans is irreversibly damaged
8 Posted 10/05/2016 at 16:07:02
9 Posted 10/05/2016 at 16:07:43
10 Posted 10/05/2016 at 16:16:26
11 Posted 10/05/2016 at 16:18:21
He also mentioned the fight the players showed against Leicester especially with the late goal. Again I can see where he is coming from, Mirallas is fighting for a move away from Martinez and so produced a wonderful goal.
Maybe he does speak true after all, you just have to be as mad as he is before it makes sense.
12 Posted 10/05/2016 at 16:20:45
Barely 5 minutes long - a third of the usual time he typically indulges the journos - with little or no flowery speech or embellishment.
This is clearly a man working under great duress.
13 Posted 10/05/2016 at 16:25:14
Chelsea fans had the same mentality when they played Bolton, losing that could have relegated Everton, cheering every Bolton move and deadly silence when their own team scored.
Thankfully that day, Chelsea did not lay down and beat Bolton, as a team Everton owe it to Norwich and Newcastle to give 100%, but most of all, they owe it to our supporters to show a bit of pride.
14 Posted 10/05/2016 at 16:37:42
Sadly, like so many others, I really do not care if they lose yet again. Nor will I get excited if they somehow sneak a victory.
Utter apathy is tragic. If Martinez had been despatched after the Anfield debacle, as surely any other manager in any other profession would have been, I truly believe that we may now be looking forward to Wembley.
The players are just as apathetic as we poor supporters. That is shameful but RM can not organise them effectively or tactically, and he sure as hell can not motivate them... What a manager!!
And the silence from within the club is so deafening I now have constant tinnitus. That (the silence, not my tinnitus) is the most shameful aspect of our sorry state.
Good old Cpl Fraser. "We are dooooomed" unless change/revolution is imminent.
15 Posted 10/05/2016 at 16:46:20
Fast-forward to Saturday 7 May 2016, standing on row BB in the visiting section of the King Power stadium, looking on (rather than watching) at the unbelievable spectacle of Leicester City being crowned Champions of England, whilst the sorry, limp excuse of a football team, masquerading as my beloved Everton, presented token opposition. Much has been written about that performance, and of others in this wretched season, so I wont add any more. Suffice to say the players only possible excuse, if indeed it is an excuse, is that they were playing to 'get the manager sacked', as per the conspiracy theory being discussed on Talk Sport. I actually believe we should have moved well beyond that, and that our pathetic Board should have acted to put the manager out of his misery immediately after the utter humiliation of that night at Anfield. But what does my opinion, and that of 94% of TW regulars, count in the Chairman's eyes ? Absolutely nothing.
I have watched Everton led by the great and the good (and the not-so-good) - Catterick, Bingham, Lee, Kendall (x 3), Walker, Harvey, Royle, Smith, Moyes, and can honestly say I cannot recall it being as bad as this feels.
So, we stagger blindly on into total mediocrity, hoping and praying for better days and a clear vision under new leadership, on and off the field. After what is almost certain to be another harrowing experience at the Stadium of Light, perhaps the final act of the Martinez era will fittingly be against a relegated club, sending a clear message to the Board - act now, it could be us next.
16 Posted 10/05/2016 at 16:49:40
17 Posted 10/05/2016 at 16:58:14
You have to give the nut credit though, he is sticking to his guns and rollox to the lot of us!
His babblings and nonsensical comments remain, minus the happy clappy bollox that normally go hand in hand with his spoutings.
With regards the game, I never want us to loose, and hope the managers words will not have a hollow ring to them come full time tomorrow, but I just do not see an Everton win, based on the two teams current form.
Having said that, we have always seemed to turn up v the makems in the past and have been a bit of a bogey side against them, and we may again on Wednesday,regardless of Martinezs input to the team selection and team talk etc.
I also hope that the 11 players selected provide the travelling support with a performance that they deserve, and don't provide the watching world with more amusement at their ineptitude.
I take no pleasure or positives from the fact that if we loose on Wednesday, the barcodes are relegated.
I am old enough to remember the dark days, not so long ago, when we were in the same situation, and remember several other teams who were not involved in the relegation battle, hoping and praying it was us who dropped.
The next two results (win, loose or draw) should have no bearing on Martinezs future at Everton, which should have already been decided, and the taxi booked.
18 Posted 10/05/2016 at 17:03:17
19 Posted 10/05/2016 at 17:08:30
Would give him a polite send off on Sunday if there.
20 Posted 10/05/2016 at 17:09:26
21 Posted 10/05/2016 at 17:10:55
Like others I have a soft spot for Sunderland supporters who are so unlike their arrogant Geordie cousins a bit like comparing us to the Red Shite. That said, I still want us to win tomorrow. COYB
22 Posted 10/05/2016 at 17:17:17
That's why he has thrown his thesaurus in the bin and had a terse, six minute news conference focussed in the next game.
23 Posted 10/05/2016 at 17:18:27
I was working at Earl's Court that nerve-wracking day, so I went along to Chelsea to watch events unfold. The Chelsea fans around me didn't mention us once and the fans all cheered their goals.
This is first hand - I was there.
24 Posted 10/05/2016 at 17:21:36
Is it for financial reasons, or is BK actually going through another performance in the boardroom? The ego driven luvvie will not want to be seen as hiring a dud in the first place, apparently he prides himself on being an 'expert' in whatever footballing decisions he makes.
As per, the whole charade is being very poorly handled. Martinez should have cleared his desk the morning after the derby. I don't say this with any hatred towards the man, but it's clear that nobody at the club, including the fans, believe in his methods. He 'got' the club and had some grand ideas, he just never had the talent.
I just hope the next manager is chosen with ambition, and the new people at the club back him with a proven team of professionals behind the scenes instead of the usual week to week shambles that seems to be our M.O.
Most clubs have got their pre-season games or tournaments planned by now, does anyone even know when we are playing Wrexham & Tranmere?
25 Posted 10/05/2016 at 17:22:21
Get a grip, board, get rid of this prick before he screws us up all together... PLEASE.
26 Posted 10/05/2016 at 17:30:23
27 Posted 10/05/2016 at 17:33:09
28 Posted 10/05/2016 at 18:19:21
29 Posted 10/05/2016 at 18:20:58
30 Posted 10/05/2016 at 18:29:08
Spot on! That, coupled with the non-commital to pre-season regimes, arrangements etc. It's nailed-on he is going. The heartbreaking part is, we will be left with an incompetent, disrespectful board for not keeping us informed.
This kind of situation could manifest itself in the not-too-distant future, if it goes arse over tit for the next Manager!
31 Posted 10/05/2016 at 18:31:51
MON 7/4
De Boer 5/2
Koeman 5/1
32 Posted 10/05/2016 at 18:35:48
I'm sick of his excuses.
33 Posted 10/05/2016 at 18:53:52
34 Posted 10/05/2016 at 18:55:03
35 Posted 10/05/2016 at 19:08:45
I think it is one of those situations where a minority may have done it and it became widely reported.
At the end of the game I turned to the bloke sitting next to me and explained how relieved I was, but the bloke just looked at me blankly - he was Norwegian! Should have been at Anfield.
36 Posted 10/05/2016 at 19:12:54
However, I will be placing a bet on us. Not because I think Martinez is anything other than utterly fucking useless, but because I believe we have players who need to show pride. They will, we will win, and it it will be nothing to do with our sad specimen of a coach.
37 Posted 10/05/2016 at 19:14:31
https://youtu.be/VLPPpMWtSWg
38 Posted 10/05/2016 at 19:15:06
As for Newcastle wanting us desperately to win... well, they have only themselves to blame.
39 Posted 10/05/2016 at 19:19:26
And I will be wondering whether to use the F word as an adjective.
Like Kim earlier, I have almost started to feel sorry for him until I gauge the damage he has done to our Everton, and the astronomical wages he is pocketing for his distressing incompetence.
Let us all hope we are saying 'What A Majority Shareholder' in a different way when this fool's sacking is eventually confirmed.
But, sadly, I am not holding my breath.
40 Posted 10/05/2016 at 19:22:04
41 Posted 10/05/2016 at 19:26:36
42 Posted 10/05/2016 at 19:28:02
43 Posted 10/05/2016 at 19:52:15
There was the Ameobi goal up there when he was so far offside, he looked to the linesman (that gormless looking goon from the 'North East!) and seemed embarrassed scoring; Yobo getting sent off because the snide Bellamy conned the ref; Gosling turning the ball around the post with the most blatant handball ever we got a corner; and the 3-3 at Goodison and the disallowed goal.
No, I don't give a toss about two meaningless games now, after all the lifeblood has been sucked out of me by that moron and his pantomime puppeteer, and since my first Goodison game as a 9-year-old was against Sunderland (Alan Ball and Alex Young were playing), I don't want them to go down.
44 Posted 10/05/2016 at 19:54:49
45 Posted 10/05/2016 at 19:56:24
Far two many willing it to be a lousy ending to the season when these two games will have a great many of our fellow supporters shelling out big dough 'in the cause.'
To me, it makes no difference when Martinez is 'let go'- the damage was done by his appointment !
46 Posted 10/05/2016 at 19:56:53
47 Posted 10/05/2016 at 20:10:25
48 Posted 10/05/2016 at 20:11:17
49 Posted 10/05/2016 at 20:48:05
It's no longer a deluded mentality. He reminds me of a child freeforming verbally. It's random babble mixed with outright lies. How can he not be held accountable for performances that are then compounded with playground bullshit?
Cromwell to the Rump parliament suffices.
You have sat too long for any good you have been doing lately ... Depart, I say; and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!
50 Posted 10/05/2016 at 20:48:49
51 Posted 10/05/2016 at 21:01:26
52 Posted 10/05/2016 at 21:05:06
I still have a very bad feeling that Billy Liar will keep this nightmare real for us next season.
If he is still in charge on Sunday then the fans have to be vocal and there cannot be support for the lap of dishonour.
You just know that there will be plenty applauding and BK will be happy to take that as approval.
53 Posted 10/05/2016 at 21:18:47
Anyway Eddie just a difference of opinion mate.
Thank god for Gareth farelly.
54 Posted 10/05/2016 at 21:23:55
I'm glad he was challenged about the away record. It infuriates me he keeps saying it is great. It's shite, judt less shite than the home record.
55 Posted 10/05/2016 at 21:31:39
56 Posted 10/05/2016 at 21:41:26
57 Posted 10/05/2016 at 21:42:33
Bobby M has told Newcastle and Norwich that Everton won't confirm their relegation by rolling over at Sunderland. Strange, given that's what they've done in every other away game for the past three months
58 Posted 10/05/2016 at 21:49:48
59 Posted 10/05/2016 at 21:51:25
So plenty of fight then. Just the intensity was missing. It's bollocks isn't it?
Defoe hat-trick en route. At least one will be a cross, with no pressure on the ball & the opposition player gets in between the center halves & everyone stands around looking at each other.
As many think, he should have been dismissed after the derby. Immediately.
60 Posted 10/05/2016 at 21:54:32
I just hope the board relieve him of his duties before Sunday.
61 Posted 10/05/2016 at 22:04:27
62 Posted 10/05/2016 at 22:17:19
Get a manager to bring the hunger and desire back when playing for Everton. Like West Ham tonight!
63 Posted 10/05/2016 at 22:30:41
Also it would make the games on Saturday really exciting.
64 Posted 10/05/2016 at 22:32:09
I never want us to be in the position of Sunderland, Newcastle or Norwich tomorrow. I want us to win, but I have always liked Sunderland.
I just hope that, even if we pick up some points over the next two games, that the club will relieve Roberto of his duties, so we don't have another season of moaning and having to listen to the bullshit spewing forth from his direction.
65 Posted 10/05/2016 at 22:32:35
That is what Bobby Intensity Martinez has long since reduced us to.
66 Posted 10/05/2016 at 22:32:55
“The manager and the players are all together. When you create a team, you create an aspiration and our aspiration is to win as many games as we can for our football club and to bring silverware."
67 Posted 10/05/2016 at 22:41:35
He talks about integrity which means we should be looking to thrash Sunderland just like we did Newcastle and the Black Cats themselves. Or should we be poor like we were against Norwich?
Or perhaps he means we will be equally as useless against Sunderland as we have been in other matches so that everything is consistent?
I feel a bit sorry for Newcastle and Norwich fans. Until recently fans and the media had us down as a team who could be dangerous on their day. I hope they've realised we have been utterly useless for about 4 months and haven't got their hopes up.
68 Posted 10/05/2016 at 22:44:31
69 Posted 10/05/2016 at 22:48:05
In contrast our players are de-motivated and not playing for the manager. They will not give 100% throughout and even if they did injury problems and poor fitness will see Sunderland through.
The best bet of the year bar Leicester at 5000/1. One consolation is we will get to see the back of Newcastle and especially their owner who is poison to football.
70 Posted 10/05/2016 at 22:48:24
I've wanted Martinez out since we lost to Hull City last season. If the board don't sack this clown. I'd be frightened that we could be in the same position that Norwich, Newcastle, and Sunderland find themselves in.
I haven't got a soft spot for any other team, as I don't think they give a flying fuck about us.
71 Posted 10/05/2016 at 22:50:42
If this carries on the fans will be singing "Candy Man" and no fucker in the world wants to be compared to that evil cunt.
72 Posted 10/05/2016 at 22:57:11
I don't care who goes down as long as it isn't us but that might have woken up Bill & Co to the mediocrity that has become of our club for over the past 10 years or so... particularly the past two seasons.
With the close season coming up, it is going to be difficult to hold on to our 'star players' and there is a great danger of us becoming a selling club once again.
Martinez has to go sooner rather than later to allow the new management team time to allow the players to re-bond and re-train to play proper football rather than the tippy-tappy nonsense that they have been directed to play in this tenure.
As many have mentioned, he is spouting about the Bournemouth result as though it was a great performance and a great game. It was neither. We played badly apart from a couple of moments and managed to scrape a result.
Luckily for us it meant that we are safe and the lads should have been able to play out the last few games with a bit of pride and try to demonstrate to the fans that they still actually know what to do with that strange sphere on the turf.
It's pretty easy kick round thing into netty thing at the other end from Robles. Don't let the other team kick round thing past Robles. I might send my CV.
73 Posted 10/05/2016 at 23:00:13
“If anyone wants to have a scrutiny of my job, then they are allowed to do that. If you are going to do it, then you don't do it after the games since Chelsea in the FA Cup, you do it over the last three seasons and see where we are now. You have to look at the signs. The only thing that matters to me is the game against Sunderland.â€
We are putting you under scrutiny over the last 3 years. What a fucktard.
Asked what signs of progress he was talking about, with Everton 12th in the Premier League, having collected the lowest number of points in their history at home this season, on the basis of three points for a win, MartÃnez replied: “I understand why you are asking but, honestly, the time to do that is after the Norwich game. Everything you can question me about afterwards. The only thing that matters is Sunderland. I don't help the team if I speak about something other than Sunderland.â€
No, the time was 12 months ago. Then 6 months. But you're right it isn't now as you shouldn't be in your job anymore. What a fucktard.
And the best of all ....
“We put a lot of effort into the cup competitions and that is going to affect you a little bit in the league. That happens. It happened last year when we were in the Europa League. This season, since the quarter-final against Chelsea, we have not been ourselves in the league. We have not been at our level. That is not down to one or two individuals. It is the reality of how the season has panned out. The second half against Manchester United, we played our hearts out. That's how close we were to getting that little bit of success you need to make the next step.â€
Still harping on about the Europa League for last season, and the FA Cup is now to blame for this season PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE - just go. NOW!
74 Posted 10/05/2016 at 23:10:40
75 Posted 10/05/2016 at 23:15:34
76 Posted 10/05/2016 at 23:20:55
"This season, since the quarter-final against Chelsea, we have not been ourselves in the league"
He's right of course, instead of being just fairly useless up until then, now we're absolutely fucking useless
77 Posted 10/05/2016 at 23:22:14
Let's hope there is only two more, because he will not be sacked before the Norwich game.
78 Posted 10/05/2016 at 23:22:28
79 Posted 10/05/2016 at 23:39:54
80 Posted 10/05/2016 at 23:40:04
81 Posted 10/05/2016 at 23:48:42
82 Posted 10/05/2016 at 23:52:16
83 Posted 11/05/2016 at 00:06:41
84 Posted 11/05/2016 at 00:13:31
85 Posted 11/05/2016 at 01:06:00
As usual, we hope for a better performance and a win but.....................
Big clean out required IMO, starting with the manager so that the new manager has a say in who goes and who should stay.
It has been suggested that David Moyes is being considered. Surely, this would be a mistake?? Hopefully not Mark Hughes either. De Boer looks interesting.
87 Posted 11/05/2016 at 07:11:09
Unfortunately I have already apologised to all my Georfie mates, of whom I have a lot, for the complete capitulation of our sorry team. But at least I will still be rooting for an Everton win.
89 Posted 11/05/2016 at 07:46:53
All we can do is wait.
90 Posted 11/05/2016 at 08:32:03
Well, that's it. A truly magnificent achievement. We've finally been officially installed as the laughing stock of the Premier League, a truly humbling, phenomenal, incredible experience.
92 Posted 11/05/2016 at 09:16:21
Although, thinking about it, loose is an apt description of our defending and performances this season!
Been speaking to a few Makem supporting mates from my uni days this week, and even they are supremely confident about the result being in the bag for them tonight, and they feel a little sorry for me!? Jesus that is depressing, considering their current woes!
Normally, they cannot stand playing us, and just hope they are not embarrassed by the result....how the tables have turned.
93 Posted 11/05/2016 at 10:05:14
Now even the players, once happy to tell us all how much they liked him, couldn't give a shit and can't even raise a moderate show of resistance. No-one is coming out of this mess well.
94 Posted 11/05/2016 at 11:02:27
Thanks for the best wishes lads, but Keith does tend to exaggerate somewhat (by about 20 years) and blow anyone up on a public forum!
Ian, if you are there on Sunday pop into the church and join me in a few prayers for next season mate. Ask Andy of EST for my number and we'll enjoy a pint together.
95 Posted 11/05/2016 at 12:12:26
We really are a shambles from top to bottom... An embarrassment.
96 Posted 11/05/2016 at 13:37:22
Why should we try extra hard against them when we have rolled over and died against all the other clubs in the past few weeks? What has Martinez got against the Black Cats that they will be the one club that we try to beat.
Can we please keep this league a level playing field and just turn up, but that is all, tonight and offer them as much resistance as we have everyone else since the QF.
97 Posted 11/05/2016 at 13:44:12
98 Posted 11/05/2016 at 16:19:03
If two defeats hasten his departure then so be it! The board (as WE are the bored!) has the reaction time of a turning oil tanker!
FFS DO SOMETHING! You corporate "here today, gone tomorrow" types. WE ARE HERE FOREVER! How dare you do this to OUR club!
100 Posted 11/05/2016 at 17:17:29
103 Posted 11/05/2016 at 17:33:00
Brilliant
104 Posted 11/05/2016 at 17:38:06
I think you are confusing your Sigourney Weavers with your Jeff Goldblums (from The Fly) (pedantic, me?)
105 Posted 11/05/2016 at 17:46:31
If he isn't gone by Monday I can only assume that BK is mentally ill and unable to operate in the real world.
106 Posted 11/05/2016 at 17:53:10
Or even Geena Davies
108 Posted 11/05/2016 at 20:44:00
Big performance Bob, sadly not from you, time to go now long past.
111 Posted 11/05/2016 at 22:04:06
He wouldn't recognise integrity if it bit him in the balls.
Get the fuck out of my club!
112 Posted 11/05/2016 at 22:05:35
GET HIM OUT NOW.
113 Posted 11/05/2016 at 22:11:53
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2 Posted 10/05/2016 at 15:53:56
If I was a Geordie, I wouldn't know whether to laugh or cry at that lie.