‘Everton put you against the wall’ warns Wigan manager Roberto Martinez

Sep 17 2011 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo

WIGAN boss Roberto Martinez has warned his side little will prevent David Moyes sending out a formidable Everton team today.

Many observers have so far been focusing on the Blues’ off-field dilemmas with their lack of funds highlighted by the recent sales of Mikel Arteta, Ayegbeni Yakubu and Jermaine Beckford.

Some frustrated fans staged a protest outside Goodison Park last week but that did not affect the players, who produced a spirited performance in a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa.

Martinez expects much the same from Moyes’ side today and said: “If you look at the game against Aston Villa, they did not look like a team that has been affected by what is going on around them.

“I think Everton are a real example of how to be competitive on the pitch whatever happens off it.

“Anything that happens at board level, with certain players or fans, can have an affect on the football pitch.

“Players are human beings and you get affected psychologically by the events that are going on around you.

“But if I could highlight an example of how not to be affected by that on the pitch, it is Everton.

“We are going to have to be at our best, otherwise you are going to be hurt.

“At Goodison Park Everton really test you, put you against the wall and make you defend well.

“It is not just their football ability, you need to overcome the mentality they have got.”

Wigan made a positive start to the season with two draws and a win in their opening three games.

Their run came to an abrupt halt, however, at Manchester City last weekend and Latics, after making seven changes, were then dumped out of the Carling Cup by Championship side Crystal Palace.

Martinez said: “Now we have got three games before the next international break, playing three teams with real strong tradition – Everton, Tottenham and Aston Villa.”

“The first game is the one we are really focused on and we are desperate to get back to that solid mentality we showed in the first three games of the season.”

Martinez is likely to restore the likes of Gary Caldwell, Hugo Rodallega and Victor Moses while Scotland striker Shaun Maloney will hope to make his league debut.