Everton

Everton manager Roberto Martinez unconcerned by growing pressure

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 22 April 2016

Everton manager Roberto Martinez challenges his players to "face adversity in an exemplary way" in order to get their season back on track this weekend.

Roberto Martinez has insisted that he has full confidence in his Everton side and is not concerned about his future as manager of the club.

The Spaniard has come under increasing pressure in recent weeks following a poor run of form that has left the Toffees in 11th place in the Premier League table.

Everton have a reprieve of sorts this weekend as they head to Wembley for a huge FA Cup semi-final showdown with Manchester United, just three days after falling to a 4-0 defeat in the Merseyside derby.

Martinez admitted to being 'embarrassed' by his side's showing at Anfield, and has declared that Everton must now "face adversity in an exemplary way" if they are to turn their fortunes around.

"I wouldn't be professional if I was wasting my time talking about what people think about the manager," he told reporters. "The turnaround in games has been quick. We have been working very, very hard to be at Wembley and challenge for silverware. As a group we share incredible togetherness. You are not going to get positive reports [when the team is losing matches].

"At the moment everything's about being together in the FA Cup semi-final and facing adversity in an exemplary way. We need to forget about the league, we have put in strong work for 10 months and want to repair the hurt everyone at the club is feeling, from the fans to the players. You need to look at many situations that we have turned moods around.

"We have had blows and reacted in a good manner. We had that against West Ham and bounced straight back in the quarter-final. It's how you react in the low moments. Being in the semi-final of the FA Cup is an opportunity we are not going to take lightly. When you get bad results you will face scrutiny. We don't accept mediocrity and are not happy with our performances in the league. There is a strong feeling in the dressing room and want to be ready for what will be an incredible footballing occasion."

Everton, who have yet to concede in the FA Cup this season, head to Wembley on the back of a seven-game winless run in the English top flight.