Roberto Martinez wants Everton to return to winning ways at Goodison Park
Friday 4 March 2016 20:00, UK
Roberto Martinez has challenged Everton to replicate their fine away form in front of their home faithful at Goodison Park.
The Toffees have enjoyed huge success on the road this season and Tuesday's 3-1 victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park means Martinez's side have tasted just one defeat in 13 Premier League away matches.
However, their form on home soil has been far less impressive, with Everton supporters witnessing six losses in 14 matches at Goodison Park.
Everton now face a run of three successive home matches, starting with West Ham on Saturday before facing Chelsea in an FA Cup quarter-final a week later and then Arsenal on March 19.
Despite securing only four home wins this season, Martinez is relishing the opportunity to improve on that record.
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"It's a period we have been looking forward to. We want to make Goodison a comfortable place [for Everton] and please our fans," he said.
"We want to show we can win games at home consistently, bringing the good form we have produced away from home in front of our supporters.
"You don't get a better challenge than doing that against teams like West Ham, Chelsea and Arsenal. It is a really exciting period - and one where we need to be really strong. Clearly we haven't had enough wins at home.
"Some of the football has been very good, but we have also been a little bit naive at times and left ourselves exposed. Sometimes we have been unfortunate, and sometimes we have had decisions that have cost us.
"I think it's time to make sure Goodison becomes a really tough place for any opposition team to come to.
"The margins are very small and I think we are getting very close to bringing that consistency we have away from home to Goodison. That is the challenge we are looking to embrace."