Tim Howard: 'Players to blame for Everton form'

Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard has defended under-fire manager Roberto Martinez following his side's 2-1 victory over Bournemouth on Saturday.

A number of protests took place at Goodison Park before, during and after the match, including a plane flying over the ground trailing the message 'Time to go Roberto'.

However, Howard does not believe that the blame for Everton's form, which sees them lying in the bottom half of the table, should sit solely on the shoulders of the Spaniard.

"Everyone talks about the manager but he hasn't kicked one ball this season. It is down to us as players. We are the ones who have to be resilient and dig in. If that hasn't been good enough, fair dos," Howard told reporters.

"We have to take that on the chin. The table doesn't lie. Everyone is entitled to their opinion so I don't want to comment on plans and banners but we have to kick the ball, try to save it, try to score. Whatever happens on the outside is where the game has gone, whether that is right or wrong people have a right to voice their opinion and that is what people do.

"Every manager needs to be given time. People can't have it both ways. Often you get everyone outside of a club talking about players who are not loyal but it works the other way too. People need to be given time when they come to a club - players, managers, the board, it is no different."

Everton's win over Bournemouth was their first league victory in their last eight attempts.