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Roberto Martinez: 'I understand fan discontent'

Everton manager Roberto Martinez says that he 'accepts and understands' criticism of his position at the club.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has admitted that he 'accepts and understands' the mounting pressure on his position at the club.

Fans unfurled a number of critical banners, including one reading 'Martinez Out', at Goodison Park on Saturday as the Toffees were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Watford.

Supporters protest against Roberto Martinez during the Premier League game between Watford and Everton on April 9, 2016© Getty Images

The stalemate came after a run of three back-to-back league defeats and leaves them 14th in the Premier League table with a return of just 39 points from 31 games.

"I think that [the banners] comes with the job," Martinez told reporters at his post-match press conference. "Since day one, my first season at Everton, I'm extremely proud and honoured to be the manager and I accept that the fans are not going to be happy with the team losing and I accept and understand.

"What's important is the fans always support the team, always support in whatever way they can and help us to win games – and that's the only thing that matters.

"They know I would give my life to achieve a winning team. Everything we do is to make them proud, so I've got no problem with their discontent at times and football is an emotional game. I wouldn't expect anyone to be happy with poor standards and losing three games in the league for me, in my eyes, is very poor standards. There were some banners but I understand that completely."

Everton next travel to Crystal Palace on Wednesday night for the first of their two games in hand.

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Neil Wilkes
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