Everton manager Roberto Martinez believes relegation fear makes Sunderland dangerous

Everton manager Roberto Martinez believes the looming threat of relegation makes Sunderland dangerous opponents.

The Spaniard battled against the drop during his time with Wigan and is adamant that Dick Advocaat's side will arrive at Goodison Park full of fire on Saturday.

Martinez said: "You see light at the end of the tunnel. It is not just having a fear of getting relegated, it is more knowing what you have to do to achieve your aim.

"The way to see whether the team is doing that is when the team start playing games not the occasion.

"In the final two performances I have seen the win against Southampton was a very solid performance and draw at Stoke shows the mindset is perfect.

I think the experience of Dick Advocaat in situations has taken the pressure out of the players and allowed them to play.

"I think the experience of Dick Advocaat in situations has taken the pressure out of the players and allowed them to play.

"I think we faced Aston Villa in a very similar position where they felt very confident and face every game with a belief they can win.

"I expect Sunderland to show the same approach."

Martinez put last weekend's 3-2 defeat to Villa down to a poor first-half performance and is urging his Toffees to be on their mettle from the first whistle against the Black Cats.

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He said: "The rare performance was the first half against Villa. I don't think we've had that lack of intensity in the previous six games, we were the opposite.

"The second-half performance showed that reaction and we were quite a different side.

"We still have a fresh memory of when we faced Burnley (a 1-0 win last month) and when you face teams who are fighting for their lives it brings an incredible focus and intensity which clearly we have to match.

"We have everything to play for this weekend and we need to bounce back from the disappointing result."