Roberto Martinez is backing under-fire Tim Howard by insisting: “I will never submit to the blame culture”.
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Howard has come under pressure from the club’s fans following a series of indifferent performances this season.
The Spanish goalkeeper put in a wonderful display in the Capital One Cup during midweek, as he helped Everton make it into the quarter-finals of that competition by beating Norwich City on penalties.
After the game, Martinez claimed that Howard would regain the number one spot for this Sunday’s Premier League game against Sunderland, and he stands by that decision.
He said: “Football is about competition for places, that’s why it’s great to see someone like Joel enjoying his football and performing how he did, having an incredible influence”. There is no difference with goalkeepers. It’s the only way you can be consistently good. In the same way, I know the times when Tim Howard’s experience and knowhow are vital and is needed for young players in front of him to perform’.
Yet with Phil Jagielka out for two months because of a medial ligament injury, Martinez does not want any further disruption.
Seamus Coleman will be missing on Sunday, and while Leighton Baines and Mo Besic have returned to training, they will not be considered for the game.
Everton will pay tribute to Howard Kendall during tomorrow’s game with Sunderland.
‘I know when Joel can come in and do a good job as he did on Tuesday. Obviously winning the derby against Newcastle has given them that boost and they look like a team with a lot of confidence; they’ve been galvanised. Joe Royle and Peter Reid were among those who eulogised Kendall’s success as both a player and manager at Everton.
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“And then the way they took their chances against Newcastle was of a real confident side”. We expect a really tough team and a team that’s going to get better and better the longer that the manager and players work together.
