Roberto Martinez remains positive after Everton beat Bournemouth despite supporter unrest

SEASONED observers of Roberto Martinez, the Everton manager, may have noted a slight change in his demeanour in recent weeks.

A much needed change as well.

Half of the opprobrium heaped on the Spaniard this season by Everton’s disgruntled fans has come as a reaction to the feeling that they are being taken for mugs.

Martinez’s press conferences and post-match briefings have rarely contained anything other than sunshine this term, even during a year containing eight home defeats in the Premier League and the ongoing erosion of so much pre-season optimism.

For too long, Martinez could only see roses in the Goodison garden when it has been clear to all that his side have fallen woefully short of where they should be.

It is that approach that has so enraged many fans.

Just give it to them straight – heaven knows they have seen enough these past two dry decades to be able to accept more bitter truths.

Saturday’s win over Bournemouth, courtesy of fine finishes from Tom Cleverley and Leighton Baines, may have arrested some of the anger and the clamour for Martinez’s dismissal but a banner trailing from a light aircraft still claimed ‘Time to go Roberto NSNO’ at half-time.

The sword of Damocles then looks as sharp as ever. But Martinez has clearly heard and heeded the message from the Gladwys Street End and beyond.

“Being a manager is a lonely job and it has to be a lonely job,” he said, with far more candour than even a fortnight ago.

“All I want is the best for Everton Football Club.

“It's not about me, it's not about making safe decisions, it's about believing in what we have to do to progress and reach where we want to go.

“It is an honour to be Everton manager. I know the history and expectation we have, but I bring on that myself anyway. It's not about winning the fans over with talking, it's about doing it with wins.

“I'm sure there will be enough time at the end of the season to sit down and prepare for whatever is ahead of us.”

Apart from the tear-jerking reception given to 10 Hillsborough families ahead of the kick-off, this was an entirely forgettable afternoon.

Cleverley’s early goal was a neat and tidy example of shooting from 20 yards but Everton’s defence crumpled two minutes later to allow Marc Pugh to equalise at the back post.

Everton's Premier League debutant Matthew Pennington was easily brushed aside by Callum Wilson for Bournemouth’s goal but settled into the game and looked a decent bet alongside fellow defensive whipper-snapper John Stones.

Pennington’s fellow new starter, Oumar Niasse, looked less assured and the £13.5m Martinez paid for him in February continues to look like woeful business, despite Martinez’s urgings that he simply needs time to bed in.

Baines’ clever second-half finish – a rifled top corner effort – was the only other highlight, it brought Everton the victory and it again delayed Bournemouth’s Premier League security.

They will not go down but, equally, they would like to put the calculators away and start the party before a massively important close-season.

“We're looking to do some business in the summer,” Eddie Howe, the Bournemouth manager, said.

“If you're not careful in this league it can very quickly swallow you up.”

He is right there. Just ask Martinez.