Martinez sets Everton FC's bar high after derby draw

[dixe]

Roberto Martinez has set his side a target of surpassing their record Premier League points haul this season – as Leighton Baines faced a spell on the sidelines with a fractured toe.

Martinez was denied victory in his first Merseyside derby on Saturday when Liverpool netted a late equaliser to snatch a memorable 3-3 draw at Goodison.

It moved Everton on to 21 points from their opening 12 games, a figure they have bettered only once in the last 29 years.

And while urging his players to avoid a derby hangover, Martinez believes the Goodison outfit can top their previous top Premier League points tally of 65 achieved in 2008.

“We have always been capable of beating anyone,” said Martinez. “What we are trying to achieve is to get 70 points from 10 months of competition.

“It doesn’t matter who you are playing against. What was great to see is we went eye-to-eye and we were the better side in open play.

“Now the next step is to get three points in those situations. We have to look at how we will perform in a less glamorous fixture, a game that is not a derby.

“That’s what you need over 10 months.”

Martinez, though, believes it is too early to discuss whether Everton are realistic contenders for Champions League qualification despite his side having lost only one of four games against fellow top-four aspirants this season.

“We are in the first hurdle of the competition,” said the Spaniard. “If you ask in March – the next international break – we have 16 games to earn that right (to be in contention).

“If we go into the last 10 games with a chance to be in the top four, then we can be seen as a contender. It’s too early.”

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/martinez-sets-everton-fcs--6337428

 

[SteKelly]

If we get 7points or even 6 from Stoke, United and Arsenal then I will believe we can get 5th.

 

[duncs pigeon]

If we get 7points or even 6 from Stoke, United and Arsenal then I will believe we can get 5th.

I would be happy with five points - three agnst Stoke and two draws. Two tough away games, a draw in both stops them pulling to far away from us.We wont finish above either manure or the arse but will keep us in contention

 

[Wat Tyler]

Baines fractured toe? Gutted

 

[Eggs]

If we get 7points or even 6 from Stoke, United and Arsenal then I will believe we can get 5th.

.....if we get 7 points from those 3 games, I'll be thinking we can win the league!! I'd settle for 4 right now, but lets not get ahead of ourselves. 3 points against Stoke is really important, anything from United and Arsenal a bonus although I'm sure we will go to both and play without fear. My 25 points at Christmas is looking possible with City, United and Arsenal away already played.

 

[Ihaters]

Arsenal are simply too good at the moment I think, can see us getting 6 from those three games. United's strikers are pretty much their only danger and they play into our hands a bit because they don't close down the defenders. We are capable of winning the midfield battle, so I am quietly optimistic on this one.
Possibly the biggest worry is Stoke though, all the effort in the Derby, we're all dismissing it as a simple 3 points and we have United after so minds are already moving ahead of that game, I just hope our players don't go into it with the same attitude, if we do could we'll end up losing.
Martinez will keep their heads straight though I am sure.

 

[bluestevon]

Personally stokes a must 3 points, arsenal id take a good performance and a close loss right now its the utd game thats up for grabs, be interesting to see how moyes approaches a game against the small club bringing only a knife to old trafford, if he approaches it anything like he did when managing us vs the bigger teams and is over cautious we can do them over big time

 

[SteKelly]

Arsenal are simply too good at the moment I think, can see us getting 6 from those three games. United's strikers are pretty much their only danger and they play into our hands a bit because they don't close down the defenders. We are capable of winning the midfield battle, so I quietly am optimistic on this one.
Possibly the biggest worry is Stoke though, all the effort in the Derby, we're all dismissing it as a simple 3 points and we have United after so minds are already moving ahead of that game, I just hope our players don't go into it with the same attitude, if we do could we'll end up losing.
Martinez will keep their heads straight though I am sure.

We honestly should win the midfield battle... I think it will be a case of who will score more

 

[Ihaters]

We honestly should win the midfield battle... I think it will be a case of who will score more

It so often is mate

 

[Seamus Colemole]

I think he should concentrate more on getting 40 points and avoiding relegation first really, then after that think about getting top ten.

 

[sageyefc]

I think he should concentrate more on getting 40 points and avoiding relegation first really, then after that think about getting top ten.

Jog on Moyes

 

[SteKelly]

It so often is mate

You know what I mean.

Will be over 4.5 IMO.

 

[Deloodid]

70 points will get us 3rd 4th or 5th. which will be good.

 

[Shaun4658]

I don't care. As long as we win the passing league.

 

[MickM86]

What a better outlook we have as a club. 70 point target and go from there. I hated Moyes for playing everything down saying 40 pts should be the main hurdle. It got it into the players heads that once 40 is achieved, psychologically they'll take their work rate down a notch.

I'm glad things have changed.