Martinez happy with team performance six days before season opener

After watching his side complete a comfortable 3-1 win over Dundee United in their final pre-season friendly Roberto Martinez believes his team are ready for next Saturday's Premier League opener against Blackpool.

Goals from Mauro Boselli and Victor Moses capped-off a fantastic display with confidence glowing from every department. Now the gaffer hopes his players will come through next week's international friendlies unscathed ready for the big kick-off;

"Overall the exercise was very good, and completely different to the one we faced on Wednesday," said Martinez.

"Our concentration and intensity in defence was a lot better, and when you add the quality finishing we showed, it was very pleasing.

"We looked like a team and, even though we are still in pre-season, that is important and a big positive.

"We have a worrying time now with the international friendlies, and we are just hoping everyone comes back fit and ready to play for us on Saturday."

The gaffer complimented Boselli, Moses and also Ben Watson who all had a massive influence on the game;

"Mauro works really hard and he is a very clever player.

"Ben had a big impact on the game in the way he gets other players into the game, and Mauro has that intelligent in his movement that they work well together.

"Victor did everything including scoring a great goal, and he is a real, real talent."

With healthy competition showing itself in the squad the gaffer is still in the hunt to strengthen his squad before the end of the transfer window;

"I still feel we need to strengthen the squad a little, but the players are really starting to show their qualities.

"It's fair to say that everyone is doing their job at the moment.

"Obviously everyone wants to start that game, but it is a long season and everyone will have a role to play.

"Until the last day of August we will be working hard to strengthen the squad and help the squad we have here.

"That means players will have to move out as well as players will come in.

"We have moved one or two on this week and there are one or two other things we will need to finalise before August 31."