Martinez pleased with Besic's progress

, 1 October, 15comments | Jump to most recent

Roberto Martinez was pleased with Muhamed Besic's response to being handed his Premier League debut in the cauldron of a Merseyside derby as the Bosnia international put in a controlled display in the 1-1 draw.

The manager is confident that the 22 year-old will become a vital component of Everton's midfield once he is completely settled in his new environment, not least because he seems to approach everything without fear or awe.

“Nothing phases him." Martinez said of his £4m summer capture. "It's easy to forget he only turned 22 this month but he is a very mentally strong player with a lot of belief in himself.

“Mo has a big-game mentality and he's very focused. He has everything to suggest he can go on and become a big player for us.

“Against Liverpool I thought he was very controlled and not overwhelmed by the occasion in any way. For him it's the bigger the game, the better.

“This is a young man who rose to the occasion at the World Cup when he was playing in the Maracanà£ Stadium for his country in a high-profile game against Argentina.”

Besic made his long-awaited full debut in the disappointing League Cup defeat at Swansea last week after asking Martinez to leave him out of the opening matches of the season so that he could fully recover from his exertions in Brazil.

He followed that up with 80 minutes in Saturday's Anfield derby and, with James McCarthy not included in the squad flying to Russia today, he could well be in the line-up to face FK Krasnodar tomorrow night in the Blues's second Europa League Group H fixture.

Quotes sourced from Liverpool Daily Post

Reader Comments (15)

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Stephen Karnes
1 Posted 01/10/2014 at 16:40:49

I'm really excited to see him grow over this season. Him McCarthy and Barkley will be a proper midfield.

Peter Bell
2 Posted 01/10/2014 at 17:07:23

I committed blue sacrilege today and watched the full re run on the RS channel.

I thought Besic had a good steady game with some neat play and accurate long passes; he certainly showed no ill-discipline for what was his first Merseyside derby.

Kane Dennison
3 Posted 01/10/2014 at 17:11:23

I didnÂ’t know he asked for more rest after the World Cup; sounds like a footballer that knows his body limits and looks after himself. It would make a change for us if a signing can stay fit.

I hope he plays Thursday, gets some time to prove he is the future anchor in our team alongside McCarthy. I think Gibson Besic midfield for that game.

Dave Abrahams
4 Posted 01/10/2014 at 17:24:50

Besic, with his tackling, passing, dribbling and energy with what little IÂ’ve seen of him reminds me very much of Howard Kendall.

Kendall the footballer, that is!!!.

Harold Matthews
6 Posted 01/10/2014 at 19:39:59

Yes Peter. He played well. Got tired around the 70 minute mark but was tough, skilful, two-footed and made himself available. A really good signing.

Dave Williams
7 Posted 01/10/2014 at 21:36:24

Like Peter, I am watching again and yes, he played well, showing lots of skill and controlled play.

Oh, Liverpool have just lost! Again!! Not such a bad season after all!

Only joking Â– the season can only improve but I am sure it will.

Clive Rogers
8 Posted 01/10/2014 at 21:58:04

If he could play alongside McCarthy in front of the back 4, Barry could be moved forward into the Barkley position. I would like to see this as I feel Barry has lost pace and lacks the legs to get up and down the pitch. He is missing tackles, chopping people down and getting caught in posession. His passing and positional play remain good though and would suit that role.

Bobby Thomas
9 Posted 01/10/2014 at 23:04:33

Barry plays in front of the back 4, Clive. He doesn’t get up and down the pitch. Getting up and down the pitch has nothing to do with playing in front of the back 4.

He’s very one paced and immobile. Most holding players don’t have pace. Its one of the reasons they become holding players. It’s probably the reason he became a holding player and not the center half he broke through as.

He is completely unsuited to playing as an attacking mid.

Mark Andersson
10 Posted 02/10/2014 at 00:48:56

I thought Mo had a decent enough game against the Redshite, he got caught a few times but, once he gets used to the pace, I think he will be a good player.

What I also like is he seems to be a winner. That kind of attitude is something missing from other players. But let's wait and see.

Steve Jenkins
11 Posted 02/10/2014 at 07:34:35

I think he’s a player with big potential and showed more than enough considering his first Prem Laegue start was away at Anfield that he’s going to be a top player.

The one in our midfield on Sat (not including wingers) that took players on, beat players and had attacking intent. Didn’t slow the play or the attack down and didn’t - when there was an opportunity of a break or counter - check sideways or back and play a simple ball - completely slowing the play down and thus losing the opportunity.

Clive Rogers
12 Posted 02/10/2014 at 12:10:28

Bobby, I don’t agree, but hey ho.

Colin Williams
13 Posted 02/10/2014 at 12:59:24

The more games he plays the better he will get. This lad is a proper team player and leads by example. Once Mo gets regular playing time, he’ll become a top player within the Prem.

Lee Courtliff
14 Posted 02/10/2014 at 16:58:46

I'm impressed so far.

Obviously he has a lot to learn but these days ٢m isn't far off a free transfer.

With his age and such little outlay I think he's well worth the risk.

I like the thought of us having a cocky midfielder who is a bit of a nasty bastard. With ability , of course.

Clive Rogers
15 Posted 02/10/2014 at 22:58:24

We missed him tonight, too many old legs.

john wilson
16 Posted 03/10/2014 at 21:31:44

I watched this young man's every move in the World Cup and rated him so high I never thought we stood a chance of getting him aboard. He has that possessive character on the ball nobody else in our squad has and RM knows it as well as I do.

Once he tempers his ferocity to the English game we will come to laud his standard and expect a higher level of physicality in ball possession for the entire squad and our especially our young guns coming through now.

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