Martinez has 90 minutes to save his job

IT WAS just after 8am when Roberto Martinez’s Mercedes rolled into Finch Farm on Thursday morning. Given what had happened the night before, he knew this was going to be one of his most challenging days as Everton manager.

Martinez endeared himself to staff at the club’s training ground when he arrived from Wigan three years ago through his personable nature, his ability to remember the names and faces of all those he passed on the way to his office, but on Thursday, there was nothing.

The thrashing Everton received at Anfield was still raw, the atmosphere like a morgue. No music usic was playing in the dressing room, no conversations were takaking place over breakfast in the canteen.

The scene was symptomatic of a club in freefall. Martinez needed no reminding he was on the brink; things have unrav- elled to such an extent nt over the past six weeks thathat defeat in the FA Cup semifinal could signal the end.d

But as the problems mounted up — Gareth Barry’s groin injury is likely to end his season, Seamus Coleman’s hamstring damage is serious — Martinez knew he had to put the 4-0 defeat by Liverpool to one side and immediately began planning for Manchester United.

First was a phone call to Walsall to ask for 21- year- old defender Matthew Pennington’s release.

Before training at noon, he gathered the squad and spelt out his message. He urged them to forget about the result. The only way they could think about reaching the FA Cup final was with clear heads and a positive approach. Martinez has total belief in the players he will lead out this afternoon. His problem, however, is that fans have lost belief in him and should things go wrong at Wembley, Everton’s board know they will have to make a decision. The next 90 minutes will effectively determine his reign.

Would the board really allow him to stand on the touchline when Bournemouth visit next Saturday and subject him to the derision that would fall from the stands if they lose the semi-final?

Martinez’s unrelenting positivity irritates many supporters but when they were switched off yesterday, he w was honest enough to acc accept that his position is un under threat. ‘As a manag ager you are always three defeats from being questioned,’ he said. ‘The p position is never guaranteed. I don’t think any manager expects that.’ B But nobody expected this. Only Aston Villa have a worse r record in the last seven Premieri L League games. It is astonishing to think that 12 months ago, Martinez masterminded a 3-0 slaying of United.

Can they do it again? Nobody gave Everton any hope when they faced United at this stage in 2009 and they ended up beating the Champions League holders on penalties.

Whatever the animosity towards Martinez, come 5.15pm the 30,000 and more Evertonians inside Wembley will implore their team forward. They need a win to lift the mood, just as much as their embattled manager. It might just bring things together.