Everton keeper Robles: Martinez is ‘perfect’ for Toffees

Ian Watson
Roberto Martinez: Not feeling the heat

Roberto Martinez: Backed by fellow Spaniard Robles

Joel Robles has issued his support for under-fire Everton boss Roberto Martinez, saying the Spaniard is a “top manager”.

Martinez has lost the backing of a large number of Evertonians, with the Toffees languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table.

The Merseysiders were also bundled out of the FA Cup at the weekend following a heartbreaking last-minute defeat to Manchester United at Wembley.

Reports suggested Martinez’s future depended on the manager bringing the FA Cup back to Goodison Park after a 21-year wait and Robles hopes the club stick with the former Swansea and Wigan boss.

“His job as manager is not easy but, for me, yes, Roberto Martinez is important,” said the Spanish goalkeeper.

“He’s intelligent and, for this club, he is perfect.

“He is a top manager. It’s normal that when you [to suggest] that the manager and players are bad, but I don’t think so.

“We are a young team and we can be a top team. The staff are top and the most important thing now is to focus on the next game and take it step by step.

“This is football, so when you lose every time the mistake is on the manager, but I don’t think that is so. The most important thing is that the fans, the players and the team go the same way.”

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Martinez took Robles with him when he moved from Everton to Wigan in 2013 and the 25-year-old acknowledges his manager’s influence on his career having now usurped Tim Howard as the Toffees No.1.

He said: “It’s important for me to play games and it is possible for my level to improve, I believe.

“For me, it’s important that I help my team and I will work every day to keep the number one spot.

“This is why the manager is so important for this club.

“For my career and for the team, Roberto Martinez is important.”

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