Roberto comments on the FA Cup, Joel, Howard & Mirallas

Roberto Martinez has noted that in a time when many Premier League clubs are fielding weakened sides in the Cup competitions, Everton will continue to put out the best team they have.

"It's a competition that we want to approach in the manner that we all expect - when you are Everton every time you are on the pitch you have to reach certain standards and you want to win the football game.
"We are in the fifth round and we are going to give everything we've got to be in the draw for the next round.
"The quarter-final of this competition gets you very, very close to getting to Wembley, so everyone knows how important that is and we don't take any game lightly.
"The FA Cup is a competition we respect. I think we showed in the League Cup campaign that we're a team that can wish to be successful but it's still the fifth round and there's still a long, long way to go to talk about the competition in terms of winning it or not. It's just about giving everything we've got to be in the next round."

When asked if Joel Robles is now the Everton starting goalie -

"He is.
"It's been a really good, consistent period for him and the back four. I think defensively, you look at the performance against West Brom and it's exactly what we expected. We only conceded one corner, one shot on target, and unfortunately that went in.
"To have three clean sheets before that is something we can build on and carry on on those lines.
"That's when you are in a strong position, when you've got football making the decisions. It's important that you give continuity and at the moment, Joel is doing really well.
"But Tim Howard has been injured and he hasn't been able to fight for his place back. We'll benefit from the competition for places and that's the way I want to see it."

He refused though to comment on the speculation that Tim Howard would be leaving and Everton were interested in signing Asmir Begovic -

"Tim Howard has brought so much to the Premier League. It isn't normal for a foreign player to get so attached to a football club, especially in the modern game. He is now in his 10th season with us and he's made an incredible contribution. All we're focused on is getting Tim back to his best level and making sure he is able to finish the season strongly.
"There is nothing to comment on [with Begovic]. We're two thirds of the way through the season and there's no point in us speaking about other players. The window is closed, the squad is focused and ready for the final part of the league season and the fifth round of the FA Cup, so there is nothing to say about any rumours."

Martinez also spoke about Kevin Mirallas' season so far -

"We've got a very competitive squad and it's going to be difficult for certain players when they're not playing. What is important for Kevin is the way he has tried to earn a place in the starting line-up with his attitude and work-rate in training.

"The disappointment is shared by everyone. He was fantastic against Chelsea, then he started the next game against Swansea but picked up an injury which meant he wasn't available for the next game, and then he came on against Stoke. It's been that sort of stop-start season for him so far and we all hope he can have a consistent period in the side going forward."