Martinez said: “I understand it completely because I understand that being an Everton manager is not about being in an average position”.
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Everton manager Roberto Martinez refused to comment on supporter protests against his leadership following his side’s 2-1 win over Bournemouth on Saturday.
“Any player that represents Everton has to reach the level we showed in the second half at Wembley”, Martinez said in his pre-match press conference.
Howard, 37, will face AFC Bournemouth on Saturday and Norwich City in the season finale, while Robles starts the away matches in between against Leicester City and Sunderland.
It remains to be seen whether the Spaniard can ride out the storm as only a fifth home league win in the last 12 months has done little to change the minds of a growing number of disgruntled supporters.
“Everyone talks about the manager but he hasn’t kicked one ball this season”, said the United States worldwide.
“But from that point on, there was enough for us to get back and we got the winning goal”. I understand their passion and as a football club they make us what we are.
“It’s been hard for him because he’s the type of character that wants to play, as they all do, every week”, said Howe.
Indeed, the Cherries have lost five of their last 10 league games (W4-D1) and have lost and drawn at home against Everton this season in the FA Cup and the league: 0-2 and 3-3.
Everton, though, rallied though Chris Smalling’s own goal to cancel out Marouane Fellaini’s first-half opener but Anthony Martial’s 93rd-minute victor was exactly the twist in the tale the beleaguered Martinez didn’t need. That’s what we can take from today.
“I haven’t been able to sign players with a blank cheque. It’s a scrutiny of the squad we have put together and scrutiny of how we play against the top teams”.
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After equalising, Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth team looked like the better side as their passing was slicker, while Everton struggled to cause trouble in their opponents’ half. We knew it would be huge at Aston Villa, we dominated early on and passed the ball knowing the crowd would get on their backs.
