Roberto Martinez says continuity is key to Everton's good start
Thursday 17 September 2015 18:01, UK
Roberto Martinez is adamant that Everton's encouraging start to the season is down to the continuity within the squad.
Chelsea's protracted pursuit of John Stones was the headline-grabbing saga of the summer but the fact Martinez was able to hold on to his prized asset sends out a clear message to their rivals, according to the Everton manager.
"I feel we have a winning squad," said Martinez. "They are hungry and desperate for success, desperate to push each other, the competition I have for places is not something I have had before.
"There is a real focus on our goal and what we want to achieve. We want to develop a squad that becomes a winning squad and we have been working on that for the last two seasons.
"As a football club it is important that we all push in the same direction. You get tested as a football club in each transfer window and clearly the message was strong in the last one that we wanted to have a real continuity in our playing squad and see if we can reap our rewards over the next 10 months."
When asked if there was any news on an improved deal for Stones, Martinez said: "No, no there is nothing to mention."
Everton have made an encouraging start to the new season - they only managed one win last season from their first five games but Martinez's team have already picked up eight points, losing just once.
The clear area of improvement is in the defence - Everton conceded 13 in their first five last year but have conceded just five this season.
Martinez said: "We knew the first 10 fixtures would be very challenging, sometimes you get that with the draw of the fixture list, we found out a lot about ourselves.
"We look forward to being tested and seeing if we can carry on the standards for the rest of the season from the performances of Southampton away and Chelsea at home."
Martinez said that Seamus Coleman and Muhamed Besic have a chance of being involved in Saturday's game at Swansea. Both came off in the 3-1 home win over Chelsea last Saturday due to hamstring problems.
He said: "We have had positive news on both. I think it is the least we expected in terms of soft tissue problems. Both are in the hamstring and both are reacting really well to treatment.
"It is difficult to tell how long it is going to take for them to get back, but I think both have got a chance to be involved at the weekend or maybe in the League Cup against Reading on Tuesday."
