Thursday 7 April 2016 13:54, UK
Roberto Martinez says Leighton Baines has apologised for comments he made questioning the chemistry in Everton's team.
The England international also suggested the Goodison Park side rely too heavily on individuals, the most obvious example being 25-goal striker Romelu Lukaku.
Baines made his comments following Everton's 1-0 loss at Manchester United, their third consecutive Premier League defeat.
Martinez said: "First, it's very disappointing when you see a misinterpretation of certain words that a player says.
"What he intended to say is that when you're not getting the results you lose confidence so a ball that could go in hits the crossbar and it goes out.
"At the other end, a half-chance ends up in the back of the net. That's what he meant and it was more of a feeling of disappointment and frustration and obviously he used the wrong words.
"This has been taken out of context, clearly, in the way it's come out. The experience of someone like Leighton Baines, he has to take responsibility for those words.
"They may attract a meaning that is not correct and for that he has apologised, for leaving those words open. But we expect that at Everton, that a senior player takes responsibility."
Martinez has defended the unity in his side - currently 12th in the Premier League table - ahead of the trip to Watford on Saturday.
He added: "I wouldn't say we are a team who relies on individuals. We depend on the whole team, getting high up the pitch and creating chances.
"Of course we do in the sense that the team is made of individuals. In some cases, some young players have had the best campaigns of their careers so far.
"We've got a very close group. We know each other. We've been through many situations and we are developing a strong mentality.
"I don't think that will be tested by comments on the outside. It's important for our fans to understand certain words can be taken out of context."
