Jagielka, Tom Cleverley and Ross Barkley all picked up injuries in the 1-1 draw at Vicarage Road. “Martinez out” read one banner, while another said “Baines is one of us”, referring to Martinez’s reaction to the left-back’s comments following the Manchester United defeat. I won’t look away from the fans’ opinion.
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Everton manager Roberto Martinez addresses continuing fan support following recent calls for him to be sacked.
“Sometimes there is a better momentum in the outside, more scrutiny, more important moments – that’s something you can not control”.
“I have enormous respect for people who share passion for the club – Evertonians have been through a lot but now is my third season here and I understand and share their frustrations”.
There is no question Martinez has a huge task on his hands to change public opinion but, ahead of tomorrow’s crucial trip to Crystal Palace, claims he is comfortable with the scrutiny and believes the time for assessments will be at the end of the campaign.
The Spaniard is under pressure with Everton now 14th in the Premier League having picked up just four points from their last six games.
And in a further manifestation of the growing anger felt at Everton’s under-performing, with the club now languishing 14th in the Premier League table, one fan took issue with Martinez as he took in the game at Southport’s Merseyrail Community Stadium.
“There is no such thing as blame”, he said. “Clearly we need to get better”.
“We put a lot of work into assembling this squad which breeds excitement and incredible potential but the reality is we have been really good in certain aspects and really poor in others”.
Everton will be without Jagielka against Palace after the centre-back limped off against Watford with a hamstring problem, but the 33-year-old has not been ruled out of the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United or West Ham on April 23.
“We have thrown really good positions away”. “The first half of this season we got it right, but the second we haven’t”.
“I had two conversations with the Argentina manager Tata Martino”, Martinez added.
“At that point we’ll have to assess it on a daily basis”.
‘Phil Jagielka has had a scan will miss tomorrow and Southampton at the weekend, ‘ said Martinez.
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Roberto Martinez’s Everton side have struggled for consistency this season. “There is also the Copa America so we will have to see how things progress”.
