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Gareth Barry says Everton fans right to show frustration after latest loss

Gareth Barry scores with the aid of a deflection to make it 1-1
Image: Gareth Barry scores with the aid of a deflection against Swansea

Gareth Barry admits Everton are not performing at home and fans' frustrations are more than justified.

The 2-1 defeat to Swansea on Sunday means Everton have won just three times in the Barclays Premier League at Goodison Park this season - all against bottom-three sides - and have only 10 victories in the last 18 months.

They also have the worst home defensive record in the league, with 22 goals conceded in 12 matches, three worse than any of their rivals and eight worse than bottom-of-the-table Aston Villa.

The team were booed off at half-time and again at the final whistle, and while manager Roberto Martinez has tried to defend his squad Barry admits the players have to expect the abuse.

"The results haven't been what they were and the home form is nowhere near what it should be," he said. "We are not using Goodison Park to how it can be used.

Andre Ayew celebrates after putting Swansea back in front against Everton
Image: Andre Ayew (left) celebrates Swansea's winner at Goodison

"The players are aware the fans are frustrated but it is down to us to play through that. Teams are picking up on that and coming here and realising that Everton can be got at in front of their own fans.

"It is down to us to do something about that and get back to something where we are tough to beat here but not taking away our attacking play, which is really good.

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"We've created a lot of chances but we are conceding miles too many goals and conceded another two at home, and it's not good enough."

Roberto Martinez (right) wants more from Everton in the early stages of games at Goodison Park
Image: Roberto Martinez (r) presided over just three home league wins this season

Defeat left Everton 12th in the table but the result was the worst kind of preparation for a potentially season-defining Capital One Cup semi-final second leg at Manchester City on Wednesday.

"We have big games coming up in cup competitions [they also travel to League Two Carlisle in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday]," Barry added.

"The ideal world going into a game like Wednesday would be with a win. There is nothing better than going into games on a winning run, when you are feeling confident, but that's where we are at the moment.

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"We have got to go into a League Cup semi-final on the back of a defeat. We focus on a huge game against Man City, and hopefully we can get the fans positive again and then return to the league.

"There is still a lot of football to be played in the league, but with the players we've got and the ability we have it means we can go on a run until the end of the season."