Under-fire Everton manager Roberto Martinez has insisted that the club is "not underachieving" in the wake of some supporters' calls for his head.
The chair of the Everton Supporters Group yesterday revealed that the "vast majority" of Toffees fans felt that Martinez's time in charge of the club had run its course following Wednesday's night's League Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City.
Martinez led Everton to a fifth-place Premier League finish in his first season in charge, but the Merseyside club are 12th after 23 games this term and defeat on Sunday in the FA Cup fourth round to Carlisle United would increase the pressure further on the Spaniard.
When asked about being under fire this morning, Martinez told reporters: "That's football. I'll never come up with excuses for lack of wins. I feel we are on right path.
"We are not underachieving. We just haven't reached the level of winning consistently. You need to go through painful experiences.
"You cannot be underachieving with a team which has been put together over the last two-and-a-half years."
Martinez also confirmed that James McCarthy, Tom Cleverley and Seamus Coleman would be fit for the trip to Brunton Park, although Kevin Mirallas faces a late fitness test.
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