ianefc
Player Valuation: £70m
http://www.theguardian.com/football...-like-to-talk-about-referees?CMP=share_btn_tw
YOU SAY IT BEST, WHEN YOU SAY NOTHING AT ALL
Roberto Martínez does not enjoy speaking about the use of glass mosaics in European basilicas during the fourth century. Nor is he fond of sounding off about the influence of manioc on Burundian cuisine. And yet, if ever you need to discuss these topics with someone, then the Everton manager may be your man. Because there seems to be nothing Martínez likes more than talking about things he doesn’t like talking about. That has been the one constant throughout his managerial career. That, and defensive collapses. Look, here are some highlights of Martínez not liking talking about referees:
30 September 2007, after Martínez’s Swansea lose at home to Doncaster: “I don’t like to speak about referees, but I thought he had a poor afternoon.”
6 April 2009, after Swansea concede a late equaliser against Cardiff City: “I don’t like to speak about referees or referee’s decisions because I believe these things level out over a season. But now it is one or two times too many and the players didn’t deserve it and the fans didn’t deserve it.”
30 October 2010, after Martínez’sWigan lose 3-0 at Manchester City: “I don’t like to speak about referees because I understand how difficult that job is … But I cannot understand how you can give something that you don’t see … that’s a real football injustice and I feel my players don’t deserve to be feeling the way they are now.”
19 November 2011, after Wigan concede a late equaliser to Blackburn Rovers: “I don’t like to talk about referees but we have got a bad decision a few too many times.”
20 October 2012, after Martinez’s Wigan lose to Swansea: “It’s a difficult decision and when I saw it live I thought it should have been given. It’s disappointing that call did not go our way. Anyway, I shouldn’t talk about referees this season. I’ve learnt my lesson.”
28 December 2015, after Martínez’sEverton lose 4-3 to Stoke City: “I have huge respect for [referee] Mark [Clattenburg’s]’s career – he has always been someone I felt was very honest and a perfectionist in what he wants to do. The feeling is extra frustrating today because you cannot understand how such an experienced referee gives that decision right at the end. It is such a wrong call. Someone with his experience should understand the game a bit more … The disappointment is that he got that one wrong but it is extra painful when he wasn’t consistent throughout the game.”
In light of all that, was there really any point in interviewing Martínez after Everton were knocked out of the League Cup on Wednesday night by Manchester City, whose second goal in a 3-1 win came from a cross that Raheem Sterling was allowed to deliver despite the ball having crossed the line for a nanosecond by the width of a sideburn hair? “You have to respect the referee, they have the toughest job in football,” declared Martinez before adding inevitably: “It is not a day to go into many footballing aspects except the second goal killed our opportunity … Goals are big calls – and the second goal is heartbreaking. When you watch the replay it’s incredible that you don’t get that decision right.” Ah yes, when you watch the replay.
Unless there is a sudden transformation in Everton’s performances between now and the end of the season, Martínez may find himself having to explain how a collection of players that he has hailed as among the most exciting in Europe have have once again finished potless, and in the bottom half of the Premier League two years in a row. That, you can be sure, would be something that Martinez really won’t like talking about.
YOU SAY IT BEST, WHEN YOU SAY NOTHING AT ALL
Roberto Martínez does not enjoy speaking about the use of glass mosaics in European basilicas during the fourth century. Nor is he fond of sounding off about the influence of manioc on Burundian cuisine. And yet, if ever you need to discuss these topics with someone, then the Everton manager may be your man. Because there seems to be nothing Martínez likes more than talking about things he doesn’t like talking about. That has been the one constant throughout his managerial career. That, and defensive collapses. Look, here are some highlights of Martínez not liking talking about referees:
30 September 2007, after Martínez’s Swansea lose at home to Doncaster: “I don’t like to speak about referees, but I thought he had a poor afternoon.”
6 April 2009, after Swansea concede a late equaliser against Cardiff City: “I don’t like to speak about referees or referee’s decisions because I believe these things level out over a season. But now it is one or two times too many and the players didn’t deserve it and the fans didn’t deserve it.”
30 October 2010, after Martínez’sWigan lose 3-0 at Manchester City: “I don’t like to speak about referees because I understand how difficult that job is … But I cannot understand how you can give something that you don’t see … that’s a real football injustice and I feel my players don’t deserve to be feeling the way they are now.”
19 November 2011, after Wigan concede a late equaliser to Blackburn Rovers: “I don’t like to talk about referees but we have got a bad decision a few too many times.”
20 October 2012, after Martinez’s Wigan lose to Swansea: “It’s a difficult decision and when I saw it live I thought it should have been given. It’s disappointing that call did not go our way. Anyway, I shouldn’t talk about referees this season. I’ve learnt my lesson.”
28 December 2015, after Martínez’sEverton lose 4-3 to Stoke City: “I have huge respect for [referee] Mark [Clattenburg’s]’s career – he has always been someone I felt was very honest and a perfectionist in what he wants to do. The feeling is extra frustrating today because you cannot understand how such an experienced referee gives that decision right at the end. It is such a wrong call. Someone with his experience should understand the game a bit more … The disappointment is that he got that one wrong but it is extra painful when he wasn’t consistent throughout the game.”
In light of all that, was there really any point in interviewing Martínez after Everton were knocked out of the League Cup on Wednesday night by Manchester City, whose second goal in a 3-1 win came from a cross that Raheem Sterling was allowed to deliver despite the ball having crossed the line for a nanosecond by the width of a sideburn hair? “You have to respect the referee, they have the toughest job in football,” declared Martinez before adding inevitably: “It is not a day to go into many footballing aspects except the second goal killed our opportunity … Goals are big calls – and the second goal is heartbreaking. When you watch the replay it’s incredible that you don’t get that decision right.” Ah yes, when you watch the replay.
Unless there is a sudden transformation in Everton’s performances between now and the end of the season, Martínez may find himself having to explain how a collection of players that he has hailed as among the most exciting in Europe have have once again finished potless, and in the bottom half of the Premier League two years in a row. That, you can be sure, would be something that Martinez really won’t like talking about.
