Everton boss Roberto Martinez impressed by Leicester
Friday 25 December 2015 16:48, UK
Leicester's performances this season have given other sides the belief that they can beat any team in the division, according to Everton boss Roberto Martinez.
The high-flying Foxes - who were bottom of the Premier League this time last year - have lost just once this season, stunning all and sundry as they sit top of the table this Christmas.
"It's refreshing for the league to have that psychological strength to have the belief to be top of the league at Christmas," Martinez told Sky Sports News HQ.
"They've been able to cope with everything that has been thrown at them. The way they have found the goal-scoring threat that they have is quite impressive.
"It's changed psychologically every team in this division. It gives you a sense of if you are as good as you can be on the day, you can beat anyone and why not be like Leicester, who nobody expected to be in the top four and to be leading the way.
"I've been in the Premier League for seven seasons and there's always been a mixture of tactical approaches and different styles and that's why the Premier League has always been a really challenging and competitive league.
"I think this season has been a combination of that psychological aspect and the TV deal around the corner. I think that's seen a different mindset. Some clubs have made investment that they've never made in the past so internally you develop a belief that you are going to do something special this season."
Everton are just one point and one place behind city rivals Liverpool in the table, despite failing to win any of their last four league games.
"The first half of the season has seen a lot of good football, a lot of good signs and I think we're a top team," Martinez said.
"The problem now is that being a top team is not enough in this league. You need to be a winning team and now there is that frustration that we've had in the last four fixtures, playing a lot better than the results show.
"So now we must remain calm and focused and learn how to become a winning team and get the points in those fixtures.
"We're aware of the potential we have. We worked extremely hard in the summer and we have worked extremely hard for the last two and a half seasons to have continuity and a programme to develop as strong a squad as we could.
"We have to be very satisfied with the talent we have put together, the way the young players have developed that potential into a reality and having big roles at young ages.
"We want to improve and become as good as we can. We have the solid base and talent to make our fans very proud. The style of football, the attacking nature of our play is something to be very proud of, but it's no good to play well and not win.
"We'll look in 2016 to improve on those margins to give us a winning streak and consistency, because if we do that, we can achieve something special."
