Roberto Martinez: Everton not affected by fan dissent

09 April 2016 20:23

Under-fire Roberto Martinez insists the growing discontent among Everton supporters is not having a detrimental effect on his team.

Prior to Everton's 1-1 draw at Watford on Saturday, the visiting section unfurled two banners, one which described Leighton Baines, who was forced to apologise for criticising his team following their 1-0 defeat at Manchester United, as "one of us", while the other demanded for Martinez to go.

They also jeered the stalemate, which, following victories by Bournemouth and Swansea, sees Everton drop to 14th in the table. But when asked if their dissatisfaction is doing little to help Everton's cause, a defiant Martinez replied: "No, it is the opposite. We share that feeling.

"The fans are allowed to express their views, and once the game started the support was magnificent. For me they are the best fans in world football."

Everton will face either West Ham or Manchester United for a place in the FA Cup final later this month, but their form in the Premier League has been below-par.

Their draw at Watford, where James McCarthy opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time, only for Jose Holebas to equalise 38 seconds later, ended a run of three successive losses.

Martinez continued: "Any time we play, we know we can rely on our support. I don't expect any fan to be happy after three defeats in the league. We are not happy with it, but what is important is that we perform really well.

"We are a football club going into a very important period, and clearly everything we do is to make our fans proud so I have no problem with that."

Everton host Southampton on Wednesday, but Phil Jagielka is unlikely to feature after sustaining a hamstring injury, while Ross Barkley also limped off with a knee problem.

On Barkley, Martinez added: "He had a knock and he couldn't really stretch his legs in the second half. That was a real disappointment as I thought he looked really fresh.

"He created a real problem to the Watford defence, and I don't think they could cope with his movement and his understanding of the space. We are going to assess him tonight and see how serious that knock it. I don't think it is a serious problem, to prevent him from being involved on Wednesday.

"Jagielka is probably a bigger worry. He felt his hamstring and Phil doesn't get injured that often. When he asks to come off it is a worry."

Watford, also in the last four of the FA Cup, are another team struggling for form in the league. The Hornets last tasted victory nearly two months ago.

"It is a fair result," manager Quique Sanchez Flores, who made five changes from the team which lost 4-0 at Arsenal last weekend, said.

"Everton have a very good team, very tough players so it is always difficult to play against them. The most important thing today was to recuperate good feelings for the team."

Source: PA