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Martinez draws satisfaction from first season at Everton

Boss is already looking forward to next campaign

Roberto Martinez has been reflecting on what he describes as a remarkable first season in charge at Everton, one in which the Blues regained entry to European competition and a number of Premier League records were set.

The Spaniard made an almost seamless transition from the 11-year David Moyes era, overseeing on of the most exciting seasons in years at Goodison and he attributes much of that to the welcome laid down by the club and its fans.

"It's been a remarkable period," he said on evertonfc.com. "I couldn't be more proud of the way we performed. I must thank the fans and everyone connected to the Club for making that a reality.

The Blues finished the season with 72 points, eclipsing the previous record tally in the Premier League era by seven points, racked up more wins than any other season since 1992, and put a few long-standing hoodoos to rest, not least that infamous winless run at Old Trafford.

"I take real encouragement [from the club records set]," he continued, "because we've been able to cope with injuries and suspensions and that's a big aspect of any squad.

"It's been phenomenal to see the levels of performance of other players and that's given us a real advantage. That consistency of playing week-in, week-out with different players is the hardest thing to get in football.

"It means a lot because it reflects the daily work of the players. I think that's the best way you get satisfaction as a manager. The whole football club has to go hand-in-hand and the surrounding support of our fans. Overall as a Club, we've been phenomenal in that respect."

In previous seasons there has been a feeling, either one projected from the outside or propagated internally, that Everton have over-achieved in maintaining a consistent place in the top seven or eight places in the top flight but Martinez believes that his team have "set really good standards" and there is a feeling that they could do better.

“The points tally was a really good target to achieve but I feel if you asked the players now, they wouldn't say they overachieved with that. They would say we could do better and that has to be the aim.

“We need to improve and it's not going to be easy but there's a clear understanding that if we try our best and give everything we have got, we'll all be happy with the outcome. We've set really good standards and we must make sure we bring the European demands into play and as a team ensure we are comfortable with those expectations.

"Maybe now is the time to look back, but I'm looking forward - making sure we are ready for a very exciting time ahead."

Quotes sourced from EvertonFC.com

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