Fuente : Everton FC
http://www.evertonfc.com/

EVERTON: MARTYN: EXPERIENCE IS KEY

/noticias.info/ Goodison will play host to two of the Premiership's most experienced keepers on Saturday when the Blues entertain Manchester United (kick-off 12.45pm).

Everton keeper Nigel Martyn believes that experience could be crucial ahead of one of the most eagerly awaited fixtures of the campaign.

The former England international, who celebrated his 39th birthday on Thursday, is full of admiration for Edwin Van der Sar, his opposite number in the United line-up.

The Dutchman will be making his Premiership debut for Sir Alex Ferguson's side following his summer switch from Fulham.

Martyn told evertonfc.com: "Edwin is a very good goalkeeper. They have had a look at a few but he is a steady goalkeeper with a lot of experience and he will fit behind a good team very well."

As for his own credentials, Martyn joked: "If you ask the guys who are over 35 they will tell you experience is vital!

"But obviously, if you have been around you have seen most things happen, you have made your mistakes in the past and hopefully you won't make too many more. The 21-year-olds can fly around a bit more but hopefully when it comes to your positioning and your talking you don't have to so much.

"It is nice to be involved but it is better if the ball is at the other end. If they can keep the ball at the other end for 90 minutes on Saturday I will be delighted."

Everton's opening game of last term ended in disappointment, with the Blues losing 4-1 at Goodison to Arsenal.

But by the end of September that reverse had been forgotten, with the Blues rubbing shoulders with the division's elite in the top four.

It was a heady position from which David Moyes' men never slipped. Martyn is in no doubt a good start is crucial if the Toffees are to give themselves the best possible chance of repeating last season's league success.

He added: "It is good to get the season underway after all the hard work in pre-season.

"It doesn't matter when you play United, you have to play them all at some stage so it doesn't matter when. It is a big fixture but we had a good result last year and we are looking to do the same again against them.

"You need to get a good start, not necessarily in the first game but over the first five or six matches. If you can be up in the top five or six after those games then you can push on from there and it makes it easier during the campaign."

The Blues go into Saturday's match smarting from the disappointing of Tuesday night's Champions League defeat against Villarreal.

But the quality of the side's display, coupled with the high intensity of that game, could prove beneficial on Saturday.

Martyn agrees: "It was a good performance the other night but a disappointing result. The effort was there and the manager has dug out all the figures to reveal the distance we have travelled but the only statistic that matters is the goals. But if we put that amount of effort in every game we will be right up there.

"The first goal caught me moving a little bit and the second I had no chance with. We bounced back once but couldn't break them down again in the second half.

"We will need the same sort of effort and commitment against Manchester United as we showed the other night. It will help going into the United game after a match of Tuesday's intensity. They know we will be playing the same way we did as when we played them last season so they will not be surprised. But, at the same time, even if you are prepared it is still tough to deal with." notas_de_prensa_archivo