Martinez: Own goals affected us psychologically
Everton Manager Roberto Martinez feels that his side were affected mentally by the own goals that put his side on the wrong end of a 2-0 score line away to Southampton.
Everton were rocked in the first minute by a headed own goal from Antolin Alcaraz and then Seamus Coleman also scored in his own net with his head as the blues put in a laboured performance, but Martinez thinks it could have been different if they had taken their chances.
He told evertontv: “It was a really difficult result to take. The reality is to concede two own goals so early in the game made things nearly impossible.
“I did think that the second half we came out with a good attitude and good bravery but we needed that goal.
“When you want to win so much, and you concede two own goals, I felt psychologically we lost a bit of confidence and our normal arrogance in our play.”
It wasn’t just in their own box where Everton could consider themselves unfortunate.
“We needed that goal,” Martinez continued. “We had a couple of chances for Lukaku in the second half and for me it was a penalty on Leon Osman.
“There were key moments when we needed that little bit of luck. It could have a been a different ending if we had got that goal.”
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Unfortunately,we were fated to lose this game. Before Roberto arrived,by which I mean the Moyes era,we always seemed to just fall short of actually achieving our true potential. Other than the one top four finish where we scrambled over the line with enough points,but a seriously deficient goal tally we have lost to inferior sides and have consequently not been in the reckoning for the bigger prizes. This term we appeared to have put this behind us.We started the season a bit stutteringly and until the fourth match looked to be continuing our run of valiant draws. Then we went on a great run,which seemed to dry up at about the time that the squad decamped to warmer climes for a mid season break. I won’t be surprised if we either totally capitulate against City or wipe the Goodison turf with them and their expensive line up. It all depends who turns up,like it did against Southampton yesterday. Someone needed to lead the recovery at St Mary’s,but sadly we don’t seem to have one of these characters any more. Tim is vocal,but it only seems to affect the back four.Where once we had players in the side who called for effort and concentration of their team mates,we have none now apparently. Tim Cahill was possibly our last such a player and those who should be shouldering this role seem to retreat into their own carapaces and thus we ‘go quite’ and lose belief. In games this season that has been countered by goals sparking a recovery,so it may very well be true that had Ossie booking been rightly awarded as a penalty kick we would have had a spurt of activity resulting in a very different result. But please Bill or Roberto,if you read this guff,before you buy another defender or youngster,please consider installing a little general,to chivvy and harass and generally remind the squad who and what they are playing for come match day.
And that my friends is why you will not even male the Europa. Not because of own goals but an EQ that is not strong enough to shrug off these little inconsistencies, one time or two poor defensive moments and the grit to keep hitting the form needed at this late stage if a season. Something Martinez struggles with but Moyes was good at. Moyes deserves another chance at Everton. He played in Champions League and has that on his cv now. Martinez does not!