By OneNil
January 22 2003

Central midfielder Roberto Martinez swelled Bescot's Spanish contingent when he signed for the club in August 2002. The 29 year old has so far failed to earn a regular place in the 16 man squad and has now joined Swansea on loan until the end of the season.

24. Roberto Martinez

Personal Details.

Date of Birth : 13.7.73

Height : 5.10

Weight : 12st 2lb

Date Joined : 13.8.02

Career Details.

Club	League Appearances	FA Cup	League Cup	Other
Balaguer (Spain)	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
Wigan Athletic	148(40)   17goals	13(2)  4goals	11(1)  1goal	8(4)  1 goal
Motherwell	8(8)  0goals	-	-	-
Walsall	1(5) 0 goals	-	-	-

 

Walsall Career

After impressing in the pre-season friendly victories over Malawi(2-0) and Pelsall Villa (8-0) , Martinez signed a short term deal with the Saddlers. He joined as cover for injured skipper Martin O'Connor following a contract dispute at former club Motherwell. He made his debut from the substitutes bench in our 3-1 defeat at Molineux , also coming off the bench in our next two games against Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest. Given his first start in place of the play-for-free Fitzroy Simpson at home to Reading, Roberto was promptly red carded for two mistimed challenges as we lost 0-2. He hasn't started for the Saddlers since and with Corica, Simpson, Sonner, O'Connor and loan signing Javary all ahead of him, Robbie could soon be on his way out of Bescot.

Attributes

Described as a cultured, right footed midfielder with a clinical eye for finishing, Roberto has so far been deprived of the chance to show the Bescot faithful his true ability. Vastly experienced in  English football  having made over 150 appearances whilst at Wigan Athletic.