Martinez banking on terrific Goodison atmosphere

Davey Liver please.

If we don't get past Chelsea in this Quarter Final then lose to Arsenal and Manchester United then seriously, end of season or not, the board must seriously think about moving Martinez on.

There's only so long you can keep not winning games and losing big home matches.

If we don't beat either Chelsea or Arsenal at home in the next week then that will be ONE home win in the last TEN.

Utterly disgusting record at Goodison Park.

"Whatever you do over a season, it's how well you can do over the final third of the season. That's exactly where we are now."

Really? I wonder if Leicester hang on to win the League by a single point, whether it's down to the final third of the season! A win is worth 3 points whenever you achieve it. From Martinez's point of view, it looks like as long as we peak from now on, we can forgive what's happened previously.

Despite my disillusionment, I'm quietly confident about this one and on one thing I do agree. We need the crowd up for this one. Getting through and even winning the cup will not excuse the rest of the season though.

Saying that the atmosphere will be great. ....until the last 10 mins

God give me strength...

I hate to say it, but Roberto's call to arms is embarrasing. If you are begging the crowd to support you in an FA Cup Quarter Final, there's something not right.

I like some of the things Roberto is trying to do. But he's not in the real world... you can't just disregard results in football.

Can already see where this thread is going, but Harold says it all @13. Just keep your mouth shut and concentrate on your team.

If you do that we might win the cup, and I will even disagree with Mr Mathews, if we can do that.

I'll admit I judged him half-way through last season and found him massively wanting. Nothing I've seen since has changed my mind, but hell, what are 10 more games in the grand scheme of things. Just so long as he goes soon enough.

The final 20 minutes will be as ever nerve-wracking, but I know that we can win this one, even if the skipper whose hands are on the tiller is not entirely sure of his course/tactics (indeed he's not sure of anything just right now?). I honestly believe that on our day (if we turn up), we are a better team than Chelsea.

Come Saturday, it's up to the manager and players to prove it, and do all their talking on the pitch. And if we win, there will be no need for any BS in the after-match press interviews, which have become an absolute joke as of late. COYB

This is a really winnable game if we make it a hostile environment v Chelsea. I believe that we really can go on and win this trophy.

Just because many want him out doesn't mean we turn on players with the first mis- placed pass. If Mr M is turning up I hope he gets to see the true Goodison atmosphere rather than its evil twin.

Come kick off let's put the vitriol on the back burner for 90 (+9 Terry) minutes and show who we really are.

You may not support Martinez but you do support Everton. Right? Let's intimidate the Ruskie cockneys and not our boys.

COYB.

Also wonder what the sound bite will be in a few weeks? like judge us on the next 6 matches err 5 matches or wait – we will be phenomenal next season!!

As Harold says whatever happens this season we have underachieved and think he might salvage some support if only he could admit that.

I'll be vocally behind the Blues on Saturday afternoon – 90 minutes from Wembley; the final 20 minutes of which will no doubt feel like a lifetime if we are still in the tie.

Seriously – who'd be an Evertonian?

What foresight does our man have...... I would say he saved everything up for the last 10 games, they have a surprise trophy to be given for who scores the maximum number of points in the last 10 games. I bet he will be ranked 12th in that competition as well.

Who is he trying to fool?

If we had any type of character then we wouldn't have had so many late horror shows at the likes of Bournemouth, Chelsea and Stoke at home and West Ham on Saturday just summed the lack of character and leadership up for me.

The 1995 FA Cup winning team, now that had character Roberto, limited skill wise in some area's but damn, if you want to know what character is then I suggest you have a little browse at old footage of those lads.

All I ever see from this bunch is them collapsing like a pack of poorly stacked cards.

What is unfortunate, is that we'll all likely be full of apprehension about what the outcome is going to be; like so many at Goodison so far.

Last week, the atmosphere was really good, then the anxiety started because of the way the match was going in the latter stages of the game.

The statement that Roberto has made though, is what is making it the beginning of the end, for me. It follows a number of statements over the last few months, that to me don't reflect how I saw the game but seem like either moaning about referrees, or bad luck, or that we defended well for 75 minutes etc.

It just seems to me that this is the kind of statement "we are desperate to make our fans extremely satisfies..." well, I don't want to repeat them all.

I'd love him to get things right regarding our weaknesses but the whole tenor of his remarks seem to ignore what to me are glaring contributions to our frustrations

As an aside, Leicester were the form team in the last third of last season. Didn't stop their hierarchy sacking Pearson did it?

Of course it could work against us with Man City being the example but there was an official statement, a rumour could provoke a positive response from the manager. No doubt now I've said it there probably isn't any truth to it but I have to admit... the thought had me turning on my computer this morning hoping for the headline... "Everton want Mourinho".

All that aside, I honestly believe we can beat Chelsea on Saturday. It will by no means make up for some of our horrendous collapses this season but a trip to Wembley is always welcomed.

What? Since the 19th December when Hiddink took over (this is what he was alluding to) Chelsea have not lost a single domestic game (they've only been beaten twice by PSG) and in the same period Everton have lost 6 games.

He genuinely believes that our form is based on the way we play, and has nothing to do with results. I find this staggering, and so should our board – as someone else pointed out recently, if you look at the league table after 75 minutes we're second, so yes, we have been performed well to a degree, but it's about results and our manager hasn't got a damn clue that his teams are even losing by the sounds of things – utterly blinded by his own godknowswhat.

Amazing man.

OK , that comment was a little of topic, but on this nonsense of a strong finish to the season... did Martinez not come out with the same clap trap comments last season. And did Everton not fade away in the run in also, in Martinez's first season at Everton. So we finished poorly in his first season, finished poorly in his second season, and now we are to believe that we are going to storm up the league in the run in to this season. Is every other team going to stop playing then?

Martinez cannot get Everton to win more that two league games in a row, but now we are going to win ten. I give up.

And please, no three central defenders on Saturday. That system does not work. Not with the three that we have. And not with our shackled fullbacks running to half way, stopping, turning, then passing the ball back to our keeper. We don't do that system well.

Can Martinez conjure up a win? Nothing would surprise me anymore this season. If the players are up for this game(and they should be), we can put it up to Chelsea. Although I hope we score our allotted two goals on 90 and 95 minutes. Give Chelsea no time to reply. And even then would be squeaky bum time. We can but hope. Martinez and Everton just might have another big performance to come, this season.

Up the Toffees.

I was at the '95 cup final and we were excellent tin winning it of course – one thing that often gets overlooked is that they were missing Cantona, Kanchelskis and Andy Cole that day. 41 goals between them that season... so the '95 cup win was somewhat lucky for us in that respect.

Of course we were lucky that day as most teams have to be in the FA Cup at some stage, we were also lucky at Bristol City and to a lesser extent at home to Derby County in the third round. Man Utd did have major absentees but Everton still had to do battle with them and that Everton side had total belief in each other and in their manager.

I suppose the 'best' teams wouldn't include Leicester City, however with the season reaching its end they are still atop of the league why? Because they have very similar traits to Joe Royle's Dogs of War.

Anyway, if you think that Leicester are top of the league by being like Royle's dogs of war, I can only surmise that you haven't watched them play this season! Leicester play some dazzling football at times, and are nothing like Royle's team. They have a high workrate but other than that they're nothing like them.

He isn't begging the crowd either. He said we can support each other.

Over to Bobby and the players. If they start well, the crowd will support as they always do.

COYB

If RM, doesn't iron out his petty squabbles with Baines, I can see see Baines leaving the club.

I can never fathom when people on here say that RM, is a nice man. How do they know? All I can see is a arrogant person who can't take criticism from his own players. Then he drops them.

Sky News also said Lennon as hamstring problem and maybe out Saturday.

Incidentally, for those who like Football Manager as realistic as possible, here's how who can manage like Roberto. When approaching a critical part of a match i.e. winning comfortably with only a few minutes to go, go to the Substitutions page. Then, cover the keyboard with cat-treats and encourage your cat to walk over it. Finally, resume the game.

If you have more than one cat, choose the least intelligent one!

2:1 Everton.

He was asked about the fans unrest at the home form and underachieving. He didn't even give a proper answer. Unless you can't judge us at the end of the season to see if we under or over achieved!! What!

He needs to open his eyes – there have been 2 polls this week one in the Telegraph on Tuesday asking if Martinez is the right man to take Everton forward?

10,000 votes 74% said No.

The Metro had a similar question, last time I checked that was 80% want him gone.

He is in danger of becoming one of the most disliked people to have been associated with Everton.

BTW, anyone enjoying a good pun... one of the tabloids went with "Yoko-o-No" in their report, following a game where he missed a few sitters.

I have been leaning towards the Mourinho camp, at times he can deflect with the best of them and blame everybody else. What I would say is that commercially having such a high profile manager would help us negotiate from a stronger position for sponsorship deals. I'm not sure if he will be good or not – my view is with this squad we need to show them that we want to challenge straight away and I think Mourinho could be the man to do that. I'm prepared to ignore his second period at Chelsea – Our legend Howard didn't do too well second time around either.

I just think the board need to show the players and as sad as it is their agents we are serious about how we want to compete next season. My worry if we stick with RM is that he will tell everybody how good we will be next year but show again that he has learnt nothing.

We can't seem to defend, Chelsea are good going forward, and they score a fair few from set pieces. It seems like a disaster waiting to happen, especially when coupled with RM's substitutes.

I really want us to pull a performance out of the bag. I really don't like Chelsea and am desperate for us to win silverware. I just don't think it's happening under Martinez.

I don't play Football Manager but I can certainly see the Martinez-logic in your thinking. My cat loves 'Dreamies' and this is where our managers head certainly is, in fucking dreamland.

I find his interview waffling really hard to listen to these days, and just want him to either answer direct questions or shut the fuck up.

If Lennon is available and RM choses the right player to play on the left I think we have a chance.

Lets hope RM doesn't have to make a meaningful substitution or we're fucked, whatever the score at the time!

Expect also the return of Stones whose value must be falling with every game he is denied a start.

No doubt if we don't perform against Chelsea it will be because of enforced disruption to the team. But whatever team the maestro (note the spelling) puts out, I'll be happier looking forward to Wembley than another weekend of 'Roberto must go'. What say you all?

Today on SSN they are saying Newcastle are in advanced talks with Benitez, yet nobody is saying anything to McClaren.

I really hope they go down and stay down for a long time.

RM has already stated that he has met Mr Moshiri and was commenting on his love of all things Everton and its manager.

Not sure if it will help, however, if several of you TW followers are as passionate about Everton as it certainly seems you are, please contact him as well, rather than a single submission from myself.

c.sale@dailymail.co.uk

Thank you.

Hope I haven't transgressed the TW rules by making this post.

Ray, they are catching on. They ran out of piïatas after Mourhino is sacked, and that LVG flop.

If a team's training isn't intense enough and we don't practice defending properly nor set pieces, all of which leads to conceding a lot of goals, especially in the later stages of a game.....who would you blame?

Fitness or lack of it practice set pieces , why bother; clean sheet, not important – we can score more; game management, enough said....

So, in your role if you worked for a manager who either didn't understand your job, didn't monitor you, improve you and do the basics of management would you still give 100%

People go on about the players Chelsea have. And that is a fair point. But take a look at the players we have. Some fantastic players at our disposal. The problem is that our manager is a tactical turkey.

Still fancy the boys to redeem themselves after last week's embarrassment.

Martinez must realise that his' nicey nicey, I like everyone' bollocks philosophy needs booting out and we need to start getting much nastier because the refereeing union must really think we are a soft touch these days compared to most if not all Premier League teams.

Arsenal after these and they are probably the worst so got to start questioning things before this season gets even worse.

If he can somehow inspire the team to get us to the Cup Final – a second victory for him is probably just too much to ask – AND garner a further 20 odd league points, he will be able to lay claim to a pretty decent season and be entitled to a further term.

Of course, should all his bad fortune continue, the target can always be amended to the final QUARTER by when this NEW team he talked about today MUST have bedded in!

It baffles me how we can defend pretty well against West Ham for 75 minutes and then totally blow it with 15 left. The players have to be partly to blame for switching off. I know taking Lennon off and putting Niasse on was mental but Lennon wasn't heading balls out of the box or stopping every cross coming in was he?

Take a look at our 2nd and 3rd goals and look at Oviedo. That's not Martinez flicking a leg out for the 2nd and not even making a challenge for the 3rd and he didn't spend all week coaching Oviedo to do it.

Erm... final third of the season is coming up and that's super important, we're coming into a great moment..(psst boss, we're already into the final third)... erm, sorry, meant final 10 games.... yes, the final 10 games are the most important... great moment and momentum into the, err, phenomenal pre season....

I've ordered some lovely jam for next season,

I would gladly lose all our remaining games but one and be deliriously happy if I could guarantee seeing him being put on the dole. I can't face getting beaten by Liverpool again yet I'm sure we will as they are a fast counter attacking side.

Not expecting an overwhelming response, but a simple request has been completely ignored.

Perhaps I'm wasting my time?

Although new to TW I have been following Everton for 51 yrs since the age of 14.

I am as fed up with RM as the rest of you. Perhaps you just like complaining and doing nothing.

Get out of your ivory towers and drop Charles Sale an email how you feel. It takes no longer than posting on TW!

Rant over, but that's how I feel all the time RM is at the helm!!!

Now there are plenty of articles (mostly from ex-Everton players) questioning various aspects of the team and manager. RM got a good bollocking from Shaka Hislop on ESPN Press Pass the other night for his post WHU press conf comments and rightly so. Plenty of other articles popping up. I think the Emperor has lost his clothes.

It is a dilemma; a good cup may save his job but I am sure if he is here next year we will be in a relegation battle.

Hand your scarves in at the door on your way out lads. We don't need 'fans' like you.

Despite hating more than one Everton manager in my time I've never wanted us to lose a game. That's beyond me that mentality.

And if by some miracle we win the cup and go undefeated till the end of the season, may I ask would you change your current opinion?

I was asking, not telling.

It is more likely this side will get turned over in the next 3 matches. Our inability to defend any sort of pressure, will cost him no doubt. Not from a trigger happy chairman, but punters who will call for his head and this will get louder.

The players can't escape blame, plenty have gone missing when we needed them to step up to the plate. Mental toughness continues to dog us.

Win, then worry if Martinez stays.

I will seriously doubt Moshiri's acumen and ambitions if he keeps Martinez and gives him a boatload of money to spend. You can't undo 2 years of digression in just 2 months. I can see a stay of execution (5-10 games next season), but not new players and perhaps even backroom setup.

Apart from posters on these threads no one at the club of any authority as showed any distaste towards any of Martinz, bad coaching or his strange rants.

So I for one can see him being here next season.

I can't for the life of me fathom why some posters want us to exit the FA Cup. If RM, had been given some ultimatum I could understand that, but it's really just hope from a very large amount of fans on here.

If they are dropped, they are dropped to the bench, why would a manager not want them in the squad. Utter bollocks!!

Bad form to curse other TWers. We all love the club otherwise we wouldn't be on the site in the first place, but some of us can't bring ourselves to unconditionally support this manager, nor the attitude of many players.

But we have got a lot of good young players, mostly brought in by this present manager. I heard that we would be second if the game stopped after 75 mins, so we are obviously not that bad a team.

Winning, breeds confidence, especially to young lads, so who doesn't want to win the cup? Come on, how long is it since we saw such joy? Some kids have been watching Everton for 18 years, and have seen us win nothing, for god's sake.

Imagine we won the cup and sacked the manager? Not inconceivable really, if league results don't improve. What a statement that would send out, to both the fans and the players. Who knows?

I do understand why people want the manager gone though, because I'm actually more scared of what we do, than Chelsea tomorrow. I am the opposite of Martin though, because as long as we were safe, I would lose every league game including Anfield, to get our hands on the FA Cup once again.

We are in the Quarterfinal of the FA Cup, where we have been numerous times in the past few seasons with the usual capitulation, not the final with a 50/50 one-off game chance of winning it, so all the talk is speculative to say the least. I would love to win the cup, irrespective of our manager, as I support Everton.

Imagine the atmosphere in the ground on Saturday if we are 2 up with 15 minutes to go!! The tension will be unbearable whilst the players start the usual panic, stupid substitutions are made, the crowd become agitated, and I lose the remainder of my hair and bite my nails to the bone whilst it all goes belly up in front of us.

Look at the difference with the other lot last night and compare it to us. A manager who has belief in his ability and his players who believe in him. They, with possibly poorer individuals, are once again putting us to shame. Breaks my heart to say it but it's true.

I stand by what I said and it isn't unconditionally supporting Martinez because you want Everton to win, Roger. I support Everton Football Club, not Martinez.

Just my opinion, obviously.

If we win the FA Cup and our beloved leader gets the boot, will he be the only manager in English football history to win the Cup with two different teams and part company with them in the same season?

That's a tough choice but, given we're now 21 years since we last won anything, I'd have to go with the trophy, every time. (Always a chance we win the cup and Moshiri still brings in his man in the summer as we've been crap in the league....)

Chances are we'll get past Chelsea and then lose in the semis...

"Playing fantastic football and winning". He's not oblivious to our predicament. I think he will fire Martinez for anything short of a complete turnaround even with a cup win. So.......

I don't actually think that a cup exit will lead to Roberto's end, in fact reading the programme notes by our new major shareholder for tomorrow, I think he'll be here at least until Christmas this year.

This should be a bright new beginning for the club, and anything which increases its status, eg, A victory at Wembley in May, is to be welcomed – not sacrificed for something which probably won't happen in the near term.

Let's hope we bring the cup home this time.

Don't give a toss now what your opinion is of the manager ...

I want Everton to WIN!!! Every fecking game.

We've put 3 goals past Chelski in each of the 2 games we've played against them this season.

Let's have more of the same tomorrow.

So, that's all from Roberto. Here's what we have learned from that press conference.

Moshiri will be in attendance – but no talks with Roberto yet

RM also said "At the moment, nothing has been said in order to start the working relationship."

Doesn't sound like our new investor has him on speed dial.

They also now have the Spanish waiter in charge. Rather him than our Spaniard I say.

Definitely Oliver although winning the cup would be secondary to winning the remaining 9 games.

I'll change my mind on RM unconditionally if he shows that he can change his methods which for a winning run of 9 games he'd have to do.

It appears Martinez may have a bigger challenge than we expected.

I hope the fans are really up for this one if only to show Moshiri what he is buying into.

Sorry but all you're saying is what you personally think the owner means. You are interpreting it. So nothing concrete there, then?

Now if you can quote what he said, fine; otherwise, it's just bollocks, isn't it?

Meanwhile... back on planet earth...