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'WE MUST BE FEARLESS...AGAIN' - SAYS MARTINEZ

Posted on: Thu 01 Apr 2010

Gaffer calls for repeat of Man City attitude this Sunday at Fulham

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Roberto Martinez has called on his team produce another fearless performance against Fulham on Sunday and put to bed the sense of frustration from their defeat to Man City on Monday.

A result at Craven Cottage would put Latics in a fantastic position going into the final stretch of the campaign, but the gaffer knows his side must perform at 100% in order to get the rewards this weekend.

"We've got three trips to London left before the end of the season starting this weekend against Fulham," said Martinez.

"Craven Cottage is going to be a tough place to visit because Fulham have been very strong at home this season, both domestically and in European competitions.

"But I think we've shown no fear this season, wherever we've gone this season we've gone there with a brave attitude and we need to continue that, showing the same qualities we had in the first half-hour at Eastlands.

Roy Hodgson & Roberto Martinez

Hodgson & Martinez exchange a few words at the DW Stadium earlier in the year.

"Fulham have been able to adapt themselves to the demands of a busy season playing many games. They've coped very well to those demands and will be very ready for Sunday's game, and we'll have to be ready for what will be a very challenging game.

"We need to show the same intensity in our play that we've shown lately and with the right mentality we'll get the rewards.

"One of the big positives to come out of Monday's game was Charles N'Zogbia's return to action.

"He didn't have much of a training period prior to the game and that hampered his preparation, but he came through the challenge well and had no problems, which was very pleasing.

"Emmerson Boyce wasn't available for the game, but hopefully now we'll have had enough time to nurse his back problem and have him available for Sunday.

"The other problem we had was with Hendry Thomas who had to come off during the game. He'll have a scan on his right quad, and asses the soft-tissue damage he's suffered.

"Apart from that Chris Kirkland should be fit and available after the virus he suffered over the weekend that kept him out of the game."

The big talking point around the game at Eastlands was the red card shown to Gary Caldwell, and although Martinez is still unhappy over the decision he revealed there is to be no appeal over the punishment;

He said; "What disappointed me was the referee's explanation of why he produced a red-card.

"He said it was for a two-footed challenge on Carlos Tevez when the television replays show very clearly that wasn't the case. If either player went in two-footed it was Tevez, so for us to be punished is hard to take.

"The is a very slim chance an appeal would come to anything and we cannot risk having Gary suspended for a fourth game so it's better to be wise and accept the three-game ban.

"It was a disappointing moment because for the first hour we were very good, looked confident in our performance and stopped Man City from being a threat.

"We created one or two half-opportunities that showed us growing into the game and then the key moment came when Gary Caldwell was sent off. Initially we reacted well to that decision but playing against a very good side with 10-men is always going to be tough.

"Now we need to move and make sure we take the positives from that game and get the result we're looking for from Fulham."

Many will say that luck evens itself out over the course of a season, but if that is the case the gaffer is expecting a fruitful end to the campaign;

"Well if that's the case we're due to get a lot of decisions in the final six games!

"It's been a season where we've had to work extremely hard for everything we've achieved, but the times when things have gone against us will make us stronger as a club and as a group.

"We're not going to stop to feel sorry for ourselves, things like this happen in the game, we'll make sure we create our own luck and not rely on third-parties to get our results."