Everton manager Roberto Martinez has insisted that he is not worried by the team's disappointing start to the season.
The Toffees currently occupy 11th place in the Premier League table, 13 points worse off than they were this time last year.
Despite winning just five of their opening 17 games of the campaign, Martinez is confident that his side is still capable of challenging higher up the standings.
"I'm not concerned in terms of performances," he is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News. "I don't think we are far away from where we were last season, and even I would say that we are better this season, in many aspects of our performances.
"It's true that there is a strained relationship between performances and results, that at the moment we don't seem to get and that's where we need to be focusing. We've got three games in six days which is an incredible opportunity, an incredible amount of points."
Everton have the chance to make it six victories for the season on Boxing Day when they welcome Stoke City to Goodison Park.
Jack Prescott
