With two consecutive 3-0 wins in the Premier League, Roberto Martinez’s Everton side are finding their feet late into the Premier League season.
Speaking at his weekly press conference, Martinez agreed with Romelu Lukaku’s comments that the Blues have under-performed this season. “We want to aim high” the Toffees boss said, “we need to accept that challenge and become better".
Martinez on Everton’s England contingent
Tom Cleverley will join up with England boss Roy Hodgson’s squad get together to review previous performances. Cleverley has been in fine form for Everton this season since signing on a free from Manchester United.
Earlier in the week, the Everton boss described the midfield as “sensational” and said he wouldn’t sell him for “any amount of money".
Martinez on Aaron Lennon
Aaron Lennon won’t be joining up with the England squad even with his current run of form. The winger, like Cleverley, has been an underrated signing for the Blues, he works hard and enjoys backing from the fans for what he does.
Martinez said that he gives Everton “something different” and that he can defend in the same vein as he can attack. The Blues boss continued to say that Lennon has to “concentrate on maintaining his form". Lennon has scored and assisted at least once in his last three games.
The Blues boss said that this is Lennon’s “best run of form” and continued to urge him to maintain his recent performances.
Martinez on making Goodison a tough place to play again
Goodison Park hasn’t been itself this season. Teams no longer seem intimidated about playing there and it looks harder for Everton to play there. The Blues at times have played like they were the away team rather than the home team.
This is something Roberto Martinez wants to change, “against Newcastle, we were normal". The Blues took three points from that game after a professional and determined performance.
“We missed a few opportunities but we never looked to lose concentration.” Focus and concentration has been a continual theme from Martinez this week as he looks to keep his side looking forward and not worry about how their season has gone up to this point.
Injuries and fitness
New signing Oumar Niasse may have to wait a little longer before he makes his Everton debut. The forward will need to take part in Friday’s training season before Roberto Martinez will make his decision on his inclusion for Saturday’s game.
Muhammed Besic is still missing but Martinez said it would "be a shock" if he misses next weeks game in the FA Cup against AFC Bournemouth.
Tim Howard and John Stones have a chance of returning for the West Brom game but Martinez said it will be a late decision. Howard’s replacement Joel Robles has been in fine form, keeping three consecutive clean sheets in his last three starts.