Thursday 8 March 2018 10:49, UK
Sam Allardyce insists he is still the right man to lead Everton and says he is planning for the long-term at Goodison Park.
Allardyce faces mounting pressure at Everton with the Toffees languishing in 11th place in the Premier League, following a run of just two wins from the last 12 games in all competitions.
Everton are in danger of being dragged back into the relegation battle, with just seven points separating themselves from the drop zone, and Allardyce is determined to halt the club's slide down the table.
When asked if he wanted to manage the club beyond the end of the season, Allardyce said: "Of course. There's tough times and there's times when you have to draw in, close the doors and stay focused on what you want to achieve.
"It's very disappointing for everybody that we've slipped to where we have slipped to after the fantastic position we put ourselves in the early stages of me walking through the door.
"I came out of retirement because there's a long-term plan at Everton that I was excited to be a part of.
"Understanding the history of Everton Football Club and the amount of mates that were here when Everton were very successful, I know all about Everton and what you have to try and achieve.
"It was an exciting prospect going forward, rather than a short-term thing. I want it to be a long-term appointment."
Everton will be without Ashley Williams for the visit of Brighton on Saturday after the defender was shown a straight red card in the closing stages of the 2-1 defeat to Burnley last time out.
However, Allardyce is set to have defensive trio Ramiro Funes Mori, Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka available again to fill the void left by the Wales international.
"Our injury list is not too bad at all," said Allardyce, who confirmed Eliaquim Mangala is out for the season with a knee injury.
"We have obviously got a couple of long-term injuries, with Mangala and [James] McCarthy but the rest of the players are okay.
"We have got Funes-Mori back after a couple of U23 games. Mangala is unfortunately injured until the end of the season but we have got a number of centre-halves we can choose from."
Alladyce admits Everton are in desperate need of a victory against the Seagulls having suffered back-to-back away defeats at Watford and Burnley.
"It is massively important. We are all aware of the disappointment away from home but we have to look at the home results and say that is where our bread and butter lies, at the moment," said Allardyce.
"That is where we've been good - we've won our last two home games and I think we've only conceded two goals, two penalties.
"So we've played very at home, the club has played very well at home over recent seasons, but our away form is the big problem we have.
"We have to put it behind us and make sure there is no legacy from the disappointment of the last two away games and be in top form on Saturday, because we need a win."
