Everton vs AFC Bournemouth: Premier League Matchday 35 via Royal Blue Mersey
Was the 3-3 draw down South when it all started to unravel? Is there some karmic symmetry that could happen tomorrow?
Maybe after he's gone we'll miss Roberto Martinez's press conferences but for now they remain as infuriating as ever.
To kick-off Roberto had a message for the fans who plan on protesting his reign against
AFC Bournemouth,
"The message (to those fans) is we are all hurting together. I understand their passion and they make us what we are as a club.
"Football without passion makes no sense.
"But I'd say to those fans only when you get through those difficult experiences and moments you get a renewed drive to fight more than ever and find a way of challenging for silverware.
"The signs are there but we aren't the finished article. I'm more capable now to find the final adjustments to make us better."
It was the first chance to gauge the gaffer's reaction to last Saturday's semi-final with
Manchester United since his post-match presser after the disheartening defeat.
"We played our hearts out in the second half at Wembley and that's the way forward.
"We are all hurting, the fans and everybody in the dressing room was devastated.
"If we can reproduce that level over the full 90 minutes, going forward that's the way.
"It's given us a renewed drive. That second half is the way to achieve future success."
And Martinez looked to endear himself to the fans again,
"The support we had at Wembley was one of the best I've seen at a football ground.
"We fed off that. We played without the handbrake on in the second half.
"That's what we've been building over three years. To go to Wembley and go eye-to-eye with a team who challenges for silverware."
Looking forward to Saturday, a journalist asked the Spaniard about the thrilling reverse fixture which finished 3-3 but the politician-like Martinez batted the question away like Alastair Cook cutting one down to third man.
"I think we put that to bed in the FA Cup game. We kept a very good clean sheet and Robles had a good performance.
"We are facing a Bournemouth side with a lot of energy still enjoying being promoted.
"But it's going to be ourselves and how we can get through the pain of last weekend."
In terms of team news the manager said,
"[Phil] Jagielka is going to be missing for the next few games, it's too early to say if he'll miss the rest of the season.
"
Gareth Barry and
Seamus Coleman will be missing and Ramiro Funes Mori is in the second game of his suspension.
"We'll have a little bit of a weak back four in terms of the bodies missing.
"Maybe we'll have a good opportunity for some young player to come along."
And finally, Martinez was asked about his thoughts on
the Hillsborough inquests;
"It was an incredible boost to the city and humanity in general.
"The Hillsborough families showed us the way how to fight in life in their incredible fight to find truth, fairness and justice.
"Everyone at
Everton has been shoulder to shoulder with them. We are extremely proud of them.
"What they've achieved for the city is magnificent and hopefully they can find a bit of closure."
Thoughts we can all only echo.
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