Of course, he's got to say the right things, but if, for example, we're comfortable in that game against Palace and the game is under control, then I'd expect him to take McCarthy off for his own and our own good with the Derby in reach. Same goes if McCarthy has made a few reckless challenges and the ref has warned him about it: at that point I'd expect Martinez to act and withdraw him.
They do all only count for three points and even on that logic sparing McCarthy makes perfect sense: we can get the points against Palace without him, whereas it'd be more difficult to get points off Liverpool without his presence.
I do hope Martinez doesn't blot his copybook on this one. There'll be a lot of people watching this unfold on Saturday and wont take too kindly to seeing us shooting ourselves in the foot going into the Derby. We've just got shut of one manager who didn't *get it* regarding that fixture, we dont want another one in a hurry.
