James McCarthy thinks having Roberto Martinez as gaffer is like having an extra man
“I think it’s something the lads at Everton have noticed already even in such a short period of time, he gives you a confidence, a deep belief,” says the 22-year-old.
“All the players have been speaking about it. The way he sets up is so smart, it’s as if you’re playing with an extra man at times.
“In the (FA Cup) final we had huge success even though everyone wrote us off beforehand. He just said go out and enjoy it. The way we were set up tactically was perfect and it worked magnificently.”
Evertonians will need no reminding of the shock quarter-final victory at Goodison which set Wigan on their route to Wembley last term, and McCarthy reckons the Latics’ adventurous spirit that day was no accident.
“He’s always saying that no matter what we should go out and play our football,” he says. “He had that drilled into everyone at Wigan and he had us believing that if we played our game we could turn anyone over.
“We deserved it on the day and it was a great team performance, which the gaffer got spot on.”
McCarthy insists it will take time for Everton to fully adapt to their new manager’s style.
“It will take time. It was the same at Wigan – it didn’t happen overnight,” says the player who arrived at the DW stadium at the same time as the Catalan in 2009.
“He loves his style and loves his players passing the ball which is something most teams are trying now.
“We’re a few games into the season and his ideas are beginning to get through.
“I watched the game against West Brom and the lads moved the ball about very well but just couldn’t get the goal. It will come.”