Gerard Deulofeu has delivered an impassioned defence of under fire Everton manager Roberto Martinez.
A struggling Blues side sit a disappointing 11th in the Premier League table head of a season-defining run of fixtures, which includes facing Liverpool at Anfield tomorrow – just 72 hours before an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United.
Supporter unrest has been a common feature on the Goodison Park terraces of late, with last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Southampton marred by one fan invading the pitch and attempting to remonstrate with the Everton boss in light of the club’s worrying slump in form.
But speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Wednesday night’s Merseyside derby, Deulofeu has backed Martinez and insists that the Toffees’ players should also shoulder responsibility for a poor run of form that has only seen the club win only one of their last seven league games.
He said: “The manager’s work is so good. We need to stay altogether and all take responsibility, because the manager does not play on the pitch.
“Yes, it is a difficult position, but now is no time to think about this, we have a nice week with the derby and the chance to reach the FA Cup final. In my opinion I am happy with my coach.
“This week is the most important, because the results have been bad this season, and we stay in a bad position, and we have a chance in the FA Cup.
“It’s so important, and we need to go to the semi-final with confidence, and first we need to play at Anfield together, to win and take three points.”