It is now time to switch to a new Money AM football blog as the world cup is now over and we all look to the future.....World cup 2010 is over, Bravo Espana, and Forlan, once again and bring on the new season !.....I never expected the last thread to be such a success...thanks all.... so this new one might go on for years without the need to edit the title...we shall see...

Martinez: We're not going to Anfield feeling inferior

by Lyndon Lloyd | 26/01/2014
Comments (39) jump to end


Roberto Martinez is in confident mood as he prepares to take Everton to Anfield for the first time in Tuesday's Merseyside derby.
Matching his bullish demeanour ahead of the games against Manchester United and Arsenal, from which the Blues took four points out of six, the manager acknowledges that his team's performance will need to be perfect but insists the points are more important than local bragging rights.

"A derby [win] can bring an incredible positive feeling that is going to help you for the next six games and that could mean a lot of points," the Spaniard says. "In the same way a defeat could affect you the next two, three games. That's what these derbies can do.

“Beating United at Old Trafford was a big result for us, ... [b]ut, for me, facing Arsenal eye-to-eye at the Emirates and dominating possession the way we did said just as much."

“I think we are capable of going anywhere and beating any team. What we will need on Tuesday night is a combination of those two games. We need to be absolutely perfect."

Martinez admits that Liverpool have been formidable at home this season but says, “we're not going to go to Anfield feeling inferior. We are not going there looking for a damage-limitation performance.”

Tuesday's game obviously has huge connotations for the race for the Champions League, one that increasingly looks as though it will be a battle between four teams for fourth place, but Martinez doesn't want to use Everton's financial disadvantage as an excuse for not realising his and his team's dreams.

“No excuses," he continues. "It doesn't matter that you don't have the finances and resources or not. If you haven't got those then you have to find the patience and the creativity to put a squad together that is strong as the others.”

Quotes or other material sourced from The Telegraph


Reader Comments

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Paul Kernot
801 Posted 26/01/2014 at 00:37:58

We will go to Anfield under strength. Of course we will, & minus Lucas & Johnson their squad looks good but if we get at them like we did last time, we know their defence is a bit suss & we have an opportunity to make a massive difference in our season if we can win it.
Certainly, reading the above, Rob will have the boys in the right frame of mind & that's a great start. COYB.



Noel Early
805 Posted 26/01/2014 at 00:47:20

Pity Deulofeu won't be back in time. Imagine the damage he would cause Cissoko. Hearing twitter rumours Barkley will be back, fingers crossed.



James Martin
806 Posted 26/01/2014 at 00:49:20

If we had a full team we'd destroy them. As it is even with half s team we'll dominate them but I suspect they'll score early via a set piece and we'll go down to ten. Happens most times.



Andrew James
808 Posted 26/01/2014 at 00:50:39

We should have won at Goodison.
I suspect we will hold them defensively so it will depend on what we do up front. Lukaku is due a big game, hope this is it. Coleman and Barkley out are major misses, I suspect a draw.



Eric Myles
811 Posted 26/01/2014 at 00:56:19

If the ref is fair and isn't conned by Surez, Gerrard and Sturridge diving and stops Skrtel wrestling then we have a great chance.
Otherwise it's a big ask.



Chris James
813 Posted 26/01/2014 at 00:51:44

Would like to see this starting line-up, assuming Peanuts and Coleman can be patched up to start.
Howard
Coleman - Jags - Distin - Baines
Pienaar - Barry - McCarthy - McGeady
Mirallas
Lukaku

Subs: Robles, Stones, Hibbert, Barkley, Osman, Naismith




Andy Meighan
814 Posted 26/01/2014 at 01:03:32

Great to hear a manager of ours talking so positively. We'd never have got that under miserable arse. That's why I'm not as nervous as I usually am going there... Still, having said that, as I've said before, if Barkley doesn't feature, I just don't fancy us.
I know they are desperate for him to be out so imagine how their players must be feeling. Because I know when Duncan Ferguson used to miss derbies Carragher and Co would be rubbing their hands together knowing they weren't going to get fucked. This is why I believe Ross is so vital to us.

If he does play and we get beat, I'll hold my hands up... but somehow, if he does play, I just can't see it because I think he ll run the show.

Why is it we've always got big players missing when these games come around? IUt doesn't happen to them. But I'm feeling quite confident — if you knew me it is really unusual for me going into this game.

On another note, my heart goes out tonight to poor Bryan, who's been brilliant since he forced his way in. An absolute sickener.



Chris James
815 Posted 26/01/2014 at 01:15:04

Is Coleman definitely out, I thought he was an outside chance for the Stevenage game?



Kevin Rowlands
817 Posted 26/01/2014 at 01:28:31

Rumor is Delboy and Barkley will be fit for Tuesday, oh I hope so, I've decided to try to go positive, were gonna muller them! btw get well soon Bryan!



Tony J Williams
824 Posted 26/01/2014 at 01:52:59

Martinez needs to mention Skertels WWF tactics in the press conference to try and get us some fair treatment

Henchoz had handball, Skrtel has wrestling...and drinking blood.

Good news for Everton, Manchester United, and my fantasy team; Baines is staying at Everton.

Cheers,
KidA

Fabio and Zaha are on their way to Cardiff from United and we've swapped Peter Obemwingie for Kenwynne Jones with Stoke.

We desperately need a centre half now as Ramis from Wigan appears to have failed the medical.

Good luck to Fabio - he was supposed to be the better of the twins. :(

Liverpool supporters write to Arsenal to argue for lower ticket price than £93 for FA Cup tie

Fans of Liverpool concerned about being priced out of attending fifth round match at Emirates Stadium, with tickets expected to cost almost £100.

Daily Telegraph

Don't blame em, keep the Kopite Gobshites Out! :O)

Wonder what the odds are on Moyes getting sacked in the morning ?

Just done Cardiff to win 3-1 at 225/1.

:-)

Don't you mean that you "have been done" -):

Only one's getting done tonight are Man U .

And our manager will get a better reception than their own !

"And our manager will get a better reception than their own !"

A blooming Tesco's manager would as well so that's not saying much -):

Anyway what you doing up this early?

roflmao ... by 9.30pm Cardiff be singing "ur getting sacked in the morning"

Couldn't sleep , too excited :-)

At least you've gained 3 years!

Peter Odemwingie joins Stoke as Kenwyne Jones signs for Cardiff

Cardiff forward Peter Odemwingie has joined Stoke in a swap deal that has seen Potters striker Kenwyne Jones sign for the Welsh club.
Nigeria international Odemwingie, 32, struggled at Cardiff since joining in the summer and was out of favour under new boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Jones, 29, was frozen out at Stoke after refusing to play against Liverpool.

Odemwingie has been a waste of money and getting anything in exchange for him was a bonus.

Wasn't that Odem bloke pushing for a move from West Brom? Finally got one and then fails to impress at your place.

Yeah he drove down to QPR last season on deadline day in Jan but they didn't want him. Can see why now , never seemed motivated or interested in playing.

Watch out for Daehli he's gonna be a star , turned down a move back to Man U to stay with Ole and come to Cardiff.

"Daehli" Is that the youngster signed recently?

Yeah one of them. He left Man U academy to join Molde with Ole but Man U had a buyback option. When Cardiff approached him Man U jumped in and spoke to him but he told them to sod off apparently.

Played 10 minutes against Bolton and looked pure class. Only reason he might not start tonight is if Ole doesn't want to rush him as it's been the close season in Norway so he's not been playing. I think it's worth risking him.

Might be worth it if Ole thinks Daehli would like to make a point.