Everton vs Dagenham and Redbridge - Roberto Martinez wary of FA Cup upset as he considers changes

Posted Friday, January 08, 2016 by PA

Roberto Martinez guided Wigan to their only ever FA Cup triumph but the Everton manager insists it is not an achievement which he spends much time reliving.

The Spaniard masterminded a shock Wembley win over the much-fancied Manchester City in 2013 shortly before he moved to Goodison Park.

But as he begins his involvement again with a third-round tie at home to League Two's Dagenham & Redbridge Martinez is adamant that success is one to savour later in life.

"I always feel when you win silverware you keep on the side and you never look into it too much," he said.

"It is one of those moments you treasure but want to review when you retire with the grandchildren around the fireplace, telling stories."

Martinez has already guided the Toffees to the semi-final of the Capital One Cup this season, holding a 2-1 lead over Manchester City ahead of the second leg later this month, and while he is wary of succumbing to an upset it will not prevent him using a number of squad players.

"My own experience tells me there is no such thing as using your divisional status in any cup run," he added.

"We respect immensely Dagenham & Redbridge, who will come to Goodison with a desire and belief to qualify and we must match that.

"But this game is really important because it will give us a lot of information about our own squad."

That is likely to mean a run out of the likes of midfielders Darron Gibson and Aiden McGeady, with five and four appearances respectively this season, and Steven Naismith.

All three have attracted interest from clubs in this transfer window and Martinez admits there may come a time when he has to let them leave - either on loan or permanently.

"We have had a lot of interest from Darron Gibson and Aidan McGeady and we need to sit down and consider what is the next step," he said.

"It has been disappointing for them not to have enough minutes on the pitch and they need to be playing until the end of the season due to the opportunity of playing for Ireland in the Euros.

"They deserve to have special attention at this stage of the season. They haven't played enough and now is a good opportunity to see if the second half of the season can be a good one."

Captain Phil Jagielka will also make his long-awaited return after more than two months out with a knee injury after being named as an unused substitute for the last two matches.

"It has been a big boost to have him around the dressing room," said Martinez.

"His presence is a real calm influence. He is someone who has been through every single situation on the pitch and it has been valuable having him around even when he wasn't available to play 90 minutes.

"He is back now and it is a perfect opportunity for everyone to see him back on the pitch and to use his leadership skills in good measure."

Summer signing Leandro Rodriguez is also set for his first-team debut after a testing first six months since arriving in England from River Plate Montevideo for B#500,000, but Seamus Coleman (calf), Romelu Lukaku and Tom Cleverley will not feature.

Daggers manager John Still has admitted a cup run is not high on the list of priorities as he looks to guide his side away from the League Two relegation battle.

Still, who oversaw a win on his return to the club last week, has inherited a side which sits just two points ahead of York, but has won their last two games.

He admitted he wants to continue that run of form, but conceded league form is more important than progressing in the cup.

"We want to put on a good performance in the FA Cup, but the big picture is to make sure that we stay in the Football League," said Still, who worked with the players for the first time this week after succeeding Wayne Burnett as boss.

"I've seen Everton a couple of times on TV this year. Great footballing side, great philosophy of how they want to play.

"Whatever their team is they'll certainly give us a test and we need to make sure we can do enough to keep ourselves in the game for as long as possible and then trust the good fortune of FA Cup shocks to shine on us."

Still will be without Zavon Hines (knee) and Matt Richards (Achilles), but Oliver Muldoon could make his debut after joining on loan from Charlton.

Josh Pask, Kyle Vassell, Ayo Obileye and James Dunne have returned to their parent clubs following the expiry of their loan deals.