Everton manager David Moyes has insisted that his decision to delay discussions over a new contract has not affected his players.

The Merseyside outfit, who are in the hunt for a top-four finish in the Premier League, were dealt a blow when they lost 2-1 to Norwich City on Saturday.

While Moyes publicly stated that he will not consider his future until the end of the season, the Scotsman has claimed that questions over his position at Goodison Park is 'no excuse' for poor form.

"You know it would be easy to yes, the transfer window has had an effect on our performances since, just as it would be very easy to say it has got anything to do with my contract, it would be easy to make those excuses," the Liverpool Daily Post quotes Moyes as saying.

"But at the end of the day it's not had an effect. It's about the players we have got, and the players we have got have been working great for the past year. The truth is, from January to January we have outperformed most clubs. As soon as we get a negative result, people are trying to write off our season."

Meanwhile, the Toffees will take on Oldham Athletic in an FA Cup replay tonight to fight for a place in the quarter-finals against Wigan Athletic.