Here, Here

Everton most senior player Nige Martyn has hit out at the critics who are lining up to have a go at our beloved club. Nige insists that their is definitely no rift within the hallowed walls of Goodison, and he insists everyone is pulling in the same direction.

Nige says: "I think at the moment we are going to be a popular club to have a go at. On the back of Wayne’s success they like to write nice things but they like to have a dig as well. Wayne speaks to one newspaper and the other newspapers want to have a dig but we’ve been in the game long enough to know what goes on and we are used to it.

There isn’t a problem here. We are a group of guys who want to pull in the same direction. We all want the same things, we know it is going to be a tough season but one we can do very well in.
I just think it is down to people who want to invent things so they can have a go at the club as a whole. Anyone on the inside knows it is not true and if somebody in a newspaper office wants to make something up then it is up to them." (12/07/04)

Nige Wants More

More good news for Everton this week, with Nigel Martyn assuring Blues fans he has no intention of hanging up his gloves yet. Nige who was one of the bright points in an otherwise shite season, is keen to extend his Goodison contract, longer than his remaining twelve months. With form this season, it seems a fair shout.

Nige says: "I'm not going to set myself targets saying how long I want to keep playing. It's a case of how I feel and at the moment I know I could do next season at a breeze. I would love to stay and carry on playing after that and help the team further up the table, but a new contract is something the manager would have to offer me." (22/05/04)

Our Saviour

I think everybody would agree that Nige has been awesome this season, so much so that we would be in serious trouble without him. Nigel hopes to be around for at least a couple more seasons yet

Moysey says: "He has saved us on many occasions this year and when you look at how close we've been to relegation at the end of the season, it is hard to put into words the value of his contribution and what it has meant to have him here. I would say he is one of my best signings as a manager because he came for nothing. He only had one year left on his Leeds contract but we took that over."

Nige says:"I'd love to stay and carry on playing and help the team further up the table, but a new contract is something the manager would have to offer me. I'm not going to set myself targets saying how long I want to keep on playing. It is a case of how I feel and at the moment I feel really good. I know I could do next season at a breeze.

"I feel like I could go on forever but it will catch up with me at some point. But the way I am feeling now, I think I could play on for a couple more seasons yet."(07/05/04)

Magnificent

Everton keeper Nige Martyn had mixed feelings about his heroic return to Elland Road last night. Martyn who was head and shoulders above everyone else on the pitch is hoping his old club escape's the drop. He is delighted about the result though, as a Leeds win would have pulled the Blues back into the thick of things.

Nige says: "It’s not always easy coming back when you’ve been somewhere for so long, but even though it was such an important night for both teams, the Leeds fans did give me a special moment with the reception I got. It was hard going out there. I thought Leeds were fantastic to be honest, apart from a 20-minute spell in the first half when we controlled things and we scored our goal. Apart from that, they really pushed us back. So it was an important point for us. We knew that we had to keep Leeds at arms’ length, because if they’d have beaten us, there would have only been three points between the teams." (14/04/04)

Hard Work Starts Now

Nige believes that only hard work will help secure the Blues first Premiership win of 2004. Of late Nige has been part of the defence that has been leaking goals for fun, but earlier in the season our defensive record was as good as anyone's. If we can address this side of our game, Nige believes we will start amassing the points needed to pull ourselves' clear.

Nige says: "We’ve slowly slid our way back down into it. We need to address that and get ourselves up as quickly as we can. We’ve been working a lot on the defensive side of things and hopefully we can take that into games now. Since I came to the club, defensively we’ve been doing very well. It’s just of late that we’ve been letting too many in. I’ve been in a relegation fight with Crystal Palace and it is hard, but I think we’ll be okay. I think we’ve got enough to get ourselves out of it. You need experience in a time like this. You don’t need to panic and worry about things too much, you just need to put in good performances and that will be enough." (28/02/04)

Just Having a Look

Swedish Love God, and England Manager Sexy Sven was at Goodison on Saturday to run the rule over one or two players, including ex England keeper Nigel Martyn. Sven also had his eye on one or two others at the game, especially some blonde who was about three rows in front of him.

Sexy Sven says: "I know Nigel's doing very well, and I am very happy for him. He is a very good man, and very professional. He has got his chance to play for Everton, and he has taken it. He is playing very, very well." (09/02/04)

Safe Hands

Chris Woods believes there is no better keeper in the Premiership at the moment, to try and halt the runaway train that is Manchester United. With United picking points up for fun against us in recent years, and scoring a sack full in the process, Woods is insistent that Martyn is the man for the job to try and bring an end to our barren run against the Mancs. Woods also thinks that Jordan's breast are natural, and Peter Andre was one of the best singers of the 90's era.

Goalkeeping Coach Chris Woods says: "Of the goalkeepers playing in the Premiership at the moment, there is no way he shouldn't be part of the England set-up. He is calm and assured, which are qualities that come with experience. He is everything that you would want in a goalkeeper.I have been really pleased for him this week. He has made some great saves. (07/02/04)

Ten Out Of Ten

The plaudits were lining up to congratulate Nigel Martyn on his ten out of ten display in Saturdays Derby draw. Martyn who now must be a certainty for Portugal this Summer, is taking it all in his stride, whist Blue Bill is being reserved as ever calling Nige the best keeper in the world.

Nige says: "There was a guy in the Kop behind me and he just said 'well played today, congratulations' and I thanked him. The one I turned on to the post in the first half from Gerrard, that was probably the hardest one. I got more satisfaction from that one than the Jamie Carragher save because you are already committed and you just stick your leg out and I got enough on it and got it over the top. That said, Chris Woods has worked me very hard on the deflection thing. He does a lot of work on that in training, so he'll be claiming the credit for that one. He's got these little boards that he's manufactured that deflected the ball in different directions. At times it makes you look a complete fool but at times you do get to make saves as well." (02/02/04)

Moyesy says: "His performance was wonderful, he is certainly still good enough to play for England. But he's also a good goalkeeper for us and I'm delighted to have him. A lot of our results this season have been due to, not just his saves, but his calming influence. Any team, whether it be a club side or a national side, needs someone like Nigel. It gives the players an air of confidence to play football." (02/02/04)

Blue Bill says: "I was just standing at the end of the match thinking he's not just the best goalkeeper in England, he's the best goalkeeper in the world at the moment. Forget the saves, you speak to the Everton defence and it is the authority he has brought in there. (02/02/04)

Portugese Summer

With chants of England's number one ringing around Goodison these days, Swedish Sven is being left in no doubt, that the best English keeper at the moment is our very own Nigel Martyn. Nigel as you would expect is playing down the England talk, but if he carries on in the same vein of form as he has recently, he will be packing his bags for Portugal this Summer. With Calamity James currently holding on to the keeper jersey, Nige is just focusing on tomorrow's trip to fellow Premiership side Fulham, whilst James has to face whatever the might of Preston, can throw at him. 'Nuff said.

Nigel says :"I just come in and try to do as best as I can. If people are saying things like that it is nice, but I won't be going overboard about it." (10/01/04)

Great Work Ethic

Nige Martyn who's form of late has been fantastic, made time to heap praise of the ten players in front of him. Martyn who had one of his quieter games against Arsenal, is saying that Everton's change of fortune is down to the work ethic Moyesy has instilled in the side.

Nige says : "We’ve picked up a number of wins and an extra point from the Arsenal game just adds to the confidence. I’m just pleased to get a good result. It was important for us not to lose against Arsenal because with it being a full programme of fixtures, we could have found ourselves back down the league again. The top three are away from everybody and the points you can pick up against United, Arsenal, and Chelsea are real bonuses. I didn’t expect such a quiet night against Arsenal, but I think that’s all credit to the way we played. I think we spent most of the time in their half and I think they were limited to trying to catch us on the break. It was ideal. They had a shot in the first three or four minutes and that’s the only real save I had to make all game. That’s all credit to the back four, they were tremendous, but the people in front of them also worked their socks off all game as well. We were disappointed to go into half-time 1-0 down. It was a good run from Kanu, he managed to get behind everybody, managed to stay onside and finished quite well, but the manager told us to keep it going and carry on playing the way we were because he was confident that we would get our rewards. He was right." (08/01/04)

England Chance

Moyesy has again shouting about THE GREAT FORM of Big Nige. He thinks he should be in the England squad. We wonder what Richard Wright thinks?

Moyesy says: "Nigel Martyn has been terrific and I do feel there won't be many goalkeepers better than him playing at the moment. Nigel has been a calming influence for us. Prior to the Portsmouth game, we had eight clean sheets out of 13 since he came into the side which is something we hadn't been doing particularly well. He has done tremendously well for us. He was a top goalkeeper and had nothing to prove. But more importantly Nigel Martyn is a top man, a great individual, and any manager would want him. I think if his form continues and he looks after himself like he has done, he can carry on playing. Goalkeepers tend to go on a bit longer - look at Peter Schmeichel and David Seaman. But Nigel is playing well for us. He could be in with a shout for Euro 2004 but Nigel himself would admit there are younger goalkeepers coming through. But I can only tell you from my experience and how I've seen him work here that I'll be surprised if there's anyone better than him at the moment. I actually think England know that as well." (22/12/03)

Young Guns

Everton keeper Nige Martyn believes the young talent at the club, could push us up the table, and hopefully in a position to qualify for European football.

Nige says: "I see Wayne's quality in training every day and James gives us that bit extra where he can beat a man and create space for others.It is very apparent Wayne is an excellent footballer who has got great movement, great pace and he's capable of those moments of brilliance as well.James can beat a man, take players out of the game to give you a spare man somewhere else, and he can create pressure and create chances for other team-mates." (28/11/03)

Martyn For England ?

Moyesy believes that Nige Martyn's form could propel him into the England reckoning ahead of their Summer in Portugal, for next years Euro Championships.

Moyesy says: "He has shown just what an excellent goalkeeper he is and if the England manager is watching Everton then he cannot have failed to notice just how well Nigel is playing. I honestly believe he must be close to regaining his England place, as we believe Richard Wright will when he is fully fit. Nigel has been excellent around the whole club and he’s just the sort of character that any manager would want. His experience and communication skills have really helped us.(23/11/03)

Nige says: I’m really just concentrating on establishing myself again, as I’ve had a year out and I really just want to get back to playing every week and getting some sort of consistency. England was a few years ago now, so I’ll just see what happens. (23/11/03)

Player Of The Month

Everton Keeper Nige Martyn has won the OPTA Index Player of the Month for October.Martyn who took over from the injured Dickie Wright kept two out of three clean sheets for the Blues in October.He kept out three quarters of all the shots He faced, and his catching rate was 100%.Well done son, keep up the good work. (04/11/03)

One Of The Best In The Premiership.

Legendary Everton skipper, Brian Labone voiced his opinions on Nige Martyn, saying it is probably the best bit of business Moyesy has done since joining the Club.Labby should know a thing or two about keepers, having played with two of the finest this country has ever produced.Labby was a vital member of Englands World Cup team in 1970, were He played in front of the legendary Gordon Banks, whilst at Everton His League Championship, and FA Cup winning keeper was his great mate Gordon West.

Labby says: Nigel Martyn is up there in the top five 'keepers in the Premiership, and we're lucky at Everton to have four good goalkeepers, but since Nigel has come into the first team, he has done an outstanding job.As a defender, I know how unsettling it can be when a new 'keeper comes in. You're not quite sure where he wants you to be positioned, or if you should play the ball back to him, but an understanding has developed very quickly with Nigel.That's probably down to his experience, but it also speaks volumes for the lad himself. He's in his late 30s, but he's still in tremendous shape and I don't think you can fault him for any of the goals he's conceded since he's been here.It was a tremendous bit of business by the manager to get him when he did for next to nothing. I just wish we could have got him in the mid-90s.I've got no doubt that if he'd have signed then, he would have become an Everton legend, possibly in the same vein as Big Nev.For the price and for the job he's done, I think he's been David Moyes' best signing. He's also going to be a good teacher for the other 'keepers at the club and I'm sure Richard Wright will benefit by having Nigel here. (26/10/03)

Illegal Alien

The agent involved in the transfer of Nige Martyn to Everton has been operating without a licence since the end of last season.Under current legislation agents who do not possess a FIFA Bond are excluded from any transfer activities.Everton who have dealt with Mr. Graham in the past had no reason to suspect that he was not a legitimate agent.It was rumoured that Mr. Graham asked FIFA would his cycling profiency badge tide him over till the problem was sorted out,but apparently they told him to go away.

Ian Ross says: "We had several dealings with Phil Graham in the past and had absolutely no reason to believe anything other than he was a registered and legitimate agent.We had received no notification from anyone to the contrary.His money will remain with the FA until they decide to release it to Mr Graham or return it to us." (13/10/03)

Nige Ready For 'Boro Test

After signing for The Blues just over a fortnight ago Nige probably did not think his chance to make the Keepers jersey his own would come as early as it has.As they say 'its a funny old game',and when your main competition is as accident prone as our Wrighty I suppose anything can happen.Nige now looks certain for an extended run, and is keen to put as much pressure on Dickie as he can to stay in the first team.

Nige says :“It is harsh on Richard, he had started the season so well, but I expect the manager here to take that into consideration when Richard is fit again.All I can do is take my chance and try to give the manager something to think about in the future.I am now just looking forward to the chance to play and we will see where we go from there. Richard had been training just fine in the week leading up to the Newcastle game, then he felt some problem during the match and had to come off.That was difficult for me to come into a game like that, you would prefer to be on from the start and it took me a while to get into the game but apart from the penalties I didn't have a great deal to do." (20/09/03)

Sure To Start

Richard Wright looks set to lose his fitness battle, having only returned to training on Wednesday.37 year old Martyn now looks set to make his debut for the Blues, and will be hoping for a good display so he can make the keepers jersey his own.This is good news for the ex England keeper, but terrible news for the makers of Preperation H who have sponsored Martyn for the last few seasons at Leeds whilst his piles were flourishing with an extended spell on the bench.

25/1

Nige wants to climb to the number one jersey,instead of makig his piles any worse on the bench.

Nige says:"Hopefully, my arrival here will help Richard, as I know from having Paul Robinson challenging me, it pushed me for those years and, obviously he felt the benefit of me pushing him. It’ll be a similar situation here. Hopefully, I can provide competition for the good of the club. There’s other goalkeepers here who are very capable and we’ll all be pushing each other to make that starting place our own.
I had a great time at Leeds, they were successful years, five of the six seasons that I was there we qualified for Europe. That was good. I was disappointed last year, because things didn’t work out between Terry Venables and I when he first came in. I was fresh back from the World Cup and I needed a rest, but Paul came in and did tremendously well. I’ve had to keep myself fit, keep trying and hoping that something would come along.I love a fresh challenge. I’m really looking forward to working with new players and getting on with them. The manager’s got a great reputation, he seems to have turned this club around and got the club going in the right direction." (02/09/03)

7 Years Too Late

Nige (too his mates) signed today for £250,000 7 years after a trip to see Peter Johnson & Clifford Finch made him do one to Leeds. Welcome.

Moyesy says: “Nigel has completed his medical and will sign a contract later today and everything has been agreed. We are looking forward to having him. I felt we needed some experience cover to put some pressure on Richard Wright. He has proven himself and he is now at the later stages of his career, but from a goalkeeper’s point of view it doesn’t matter so much. You only have to look at the likes of David Seaman and Peter Schmeichel in recent years to see how well they have done. We are bringing Nigel here for real competition for Richard. I felt he could be pushed harder especially at the end of last season and Nigel is here now to do that. I felt we needed some experience cover to put some pressure on the other goalkeepers at the club.” (01/09/03)