Friday 29 January 2016 12:32, UK
Roberto Martinez has refuted suggestions Everton are underachieving, insisting he is building a squad that will be competitive for years to come.
Everton - knocked out by Manchester City in the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup on Wednesday night - are 12th in the Premier League having won just six matches all season, with only one victory in their last 10.
Martinez has led his side to just 30 wins in 81 matches since the start of the 2014-15 season, with Everton keeping only 21 clean sheets in that time. The FA Cup now represents their only realistic chance of success this season and Sunday sees Everton face a tricky tie at League Two Carlisle.
Many of the club's fans have suggested a side boasting 19-goal striker Romelu Lukaku and England internationals Ross Barkley and John Stones should be doing better, but Martinez is convinced Everton are on the right track.
"You cannot be underachieving when this team is new," Martinez said.
"This team has been formed over the last two-and-a-half years and we are developing something that is going to be very powerful for the future
"That process is not going to be overnight or straightforward. You need to go through painful experiences to develop the know-how of a winning team.
"In my eyes we have one of the most competitive squads in the league with four or five players with the best potential in Europe and that has been down to a clear strategy.
"We have achieved this squad not having the blank cheque of £500m, which other clubs have had to become a competitive team overnight.
We have an overall approach of wanting to get into the top four and we are showing signs we are starting to do that.
"It would be very easy for us to say we can't really compete against the top four and accept where we are and fight every short-term target but we have an overall approach of wanting to get into the top four and we are showing signs we are starting to do that.
"Are we going to do that overnight? One hundred percent no. You have to learn as a team how you can compete in those matches and we are right in the middle of that process.
"I understand expectations and the history and heritage at Everton and I think we are getting very close to getting back to the glory years that we had but it is not going to be easy or pain-free."
Martinez admits he understands the criticism but has called for patience to allow him to get things right.
"As a manager you need to accept that we need to get wins," he said. "I will never come out with excuses and try to justify lack of wins.
"I am extremely aware of the potential we have in the club and we should be working under the expectation of winning games and titles.
"I feel we are close to getting what the fans deserved but I'll accept any criticism and I'll be the one fronting that because I share their frustrations at a lack of wins.
"But I am the first one who has a strong belief we will be successful at the end of it."
