Under-fire Roberto Martinez has taken aim at David Moyes in the battle to save his Everton future.
Pressure on Martinez’s Blues tenure continues to intensify following the disappointing FA Cup semi-final exit to Manchester United on Saturday.
The former Wigan boss took over at Everton in summer 2013 from Moyes, who joined United following a decade in the Goodison Park hot seat.
And an increasingly beleaguered Martinez insists he remains the man to lead the Toffees and aimed a veiled dig at his predecessor.
He said: “We are a big club. You don’t expect it any other way.
“If I had been given ten years to work with Everton by being mediocre I would not accept that. We are a big club with big expectations and we have not won silverware for 21 years.
“I just want to believe, with the work I have done for the last three years, there are signs there that we are getting close to challenging for silverware, and where Everton should be.
“We developed young players, gave them big roles, and they reacted and showed character, flair and drive in the biggest football arena.
“In the first season we had the record number of points in the Premier League and in the second the experience of Europe. We gave young players big roles and have not invested money but managed assets.
“We were very unfairly stopped from being in the League Cup final and that never stopped us wanting to come to Wembley.
“There are signs in the three years I could have earned the opportunity to drive the club forward and I am sure we can fulfil our expectations and fulfil the dreams of every Evertonian. I am very much attached to it.”