Roberto Martinez has vowed to fight on at Everton despite plans by supporters to protest amid growing unrest.
Fans are set to demonstrate against the beleaguered Catalan during Saturday’s visit of Bournemouth on the back of a shambolic week, in which the Blues were hammered by Liverpool and meekly bowed out of the FA Cup semi-final.
But after presiding over a second successive season of underwhelm at Goodison Park, Martinez today offered a brazen defence of his record at the club, insisting that he is still the right man for the job.
He said: “I understand it completely. I never felt being Everton manager is a manager to be judged in an average position.
“I encourage huge expectations. As a club we have to drive for silverware and top four, and when you aren’t there the scrutiny needs to be there.
“It shouldn’t be scrutiny of the last three months but instead the last three season. It’s a scrutiny of the squad we have put together and scrutiny of how we play against the top teams.
“I wouldn’t want to be judged on the ninth budget of the league. I want to be under scrutiny of being proud of being Everton manager.”
Addressing the planned protests, the former Wigan manager, added: “The message (to those fans) is we are all hurting together. I understand their passion and they make us what we are as a club. Football without passion makes no sense.
“But I’d say to those fans only when you get through those difficult experiences and moments you get a renewed drive to fight more than ever and find a way of challenging for silverware.
“The signs are there but we aren’t the finished article. I’m ready to fight more than ever. I’m more capable now to make the final adjustments to make us better.”