Roberto Martinez was able to get some business done late in the January transfer window, welcoming Senegalese striker Oumar Niasse from Lokomotiv Moscow for a fee believed to be around €13.5 million. 

The Blues boss said in his pre-match press conference that he is “very pleased” with his new attacking option, saying that Niasse can also play on the left-hand side as well as through the middle as a striker.

Niasse will give Martinez another option behind Romelu Lukaku and may even partner the Belgian up front at some point this season.

He is, however, ineligible for the visit of Newcastle United as he was signed after the registration period for the this weeks midweek Premier League fixture list. 

Martinez on the transfer window

The Spaniard welcomed his new signing Niasse  and said that he has been keeping tabs on him since September. The Blues boss said Niasse is “flexible” and that he has a real “intelligent way of playing in the final third.” 

On the outgoings at Goodison Park, Aiden McGeady left to join Sheffield Wednesday on loan until the end of the season. The Toffees boss said that the loan was “vital” for the Republic of Ireland international. 

Roberto Martinez with new signing Oumar Niasse. Photo: Everton FC Facebook. 

Martinez on playing at Goodison Park

Goodison Park has traditionally been a ground where opponents fear going to play but over the past 18 months it has been the home side who seem more fearful to play there. 

The Toffees boss acknowledged this by saying that his side wants to solve “the poor run of results at Goodison.” He said that the fans “understand this” and he knows that the fans will “support us.”

Martinez says that his side wants to “raise expectations” but that brings an “anxiety about winning.” 

Everton have been more suited to playing away from home this season, racking up more wins on the road than they have in front of their home faithful. Murmurs of discontent can be heard anytime the Blues attack becomes stagnant or there is a lapse in the defence. 

The Blues have been frustrating at home this season. Photo: Liverpool Echo.

Martinez on the form of Ross Barkley

Over the past number of games, the form of Ross Barkley has improved and he looks to be playing with much more confidence in himself. The Everton boss said that he has been “really impressed” with the midfielder this season and that his influence is only going to continue to grow.

At the young age of 22, Barkley has already amassed 100 Premier League appearances and Martinez says that the he is already in “a good moment in his career.

The Blues boss continued by saying Barkley can make “great decisions for the team” whether that comes in the form of scoring goals or assisting them. 

Injuries and fitness

Kevin Mirallas and Muhamed Besic continue their battles to get fit with the pair at different points in their return. Mirallas is only a few days away and could be in contention for the weekend trip to Stoke City. Besic, however, is still a few weeks away. 

Tim Howard is a last-minute doubt for the Newcastle game. Martinez said the American international had a scan on an injury but that it didn’t “look too bad.Joel Robles is fit and in form after a clean sheet in the win over Carlisle United in the FA Cup.

Martinez may opt to rest Howard and give Robles a first Premier League start of the season against the Magpies. 

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About the author
Connor Bennett
Everton editor for VAVEL UK - contributing since 2015. Premier League accredited journalist. Journalism graduate from Liverpool. Writing about Football, eSports and the NFL. Email: [email protected] | Twitter: ConnorBennett14