Roberto Martinez: 'I understand fan discontent'

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.

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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.