Everton at Watford: Roberto Martinez Pre-Match Quotes

With the league form disintegrating and a brutal but honest assessment by Leighton Baines, all seems gloomy at Everton at the moment which makes any word from the manager even further under the microscope. Roberto Martinez sat down with the assembled media Thursday morning to preview the Toffees' trip to Watford.

"We need to forget about the semi-final," said the gaffer. "When you reach a real high then it's difficult to reach the same level. We are going to be obsessed with the games we have ahead.

"We know the quality we have. Clearly the disappointment is there because the standards are so high. We feel we can perform against anyone."

In terms of team news for Saturday's clash the Spaniard said,

"Gareth Barry has been missed – both in what he brings as a footballer and a leader."

He continued, "He’s someone people can look up to, someone who is a reference and someone understands what the team needs in certain moments of a game.

"Leon Osman picked up a knock that kept out of the squad to face Manchester United – the same as Steven Pienaar, but Steven will be training today so apart from that it should be the same squad as last week."

But the focus of the press conference was more on Martinez's response to Baines' comments,

"It is very disappointing when you see a misinterpretation of a player’s words, and clearly this has taken out of context.

"I've had a chat with him and he knows he has to take responsibility for leaving those words open. He has put himself in a position where he has given the wrong words."

More from Martinez's comments regarding Baines here.