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Everton at Carlisle United: Roberto Martinez Pre-Match Quotes

"We are not underachieving" says Blues boss

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

With Everton's Capital One Cup exit at Manchester City still lingering, its time to turn attentions to the other domestic cup competition and ahead of the FA Cup Fourth Round tie away at Carlisle United, Roberto Martinez has been speaking to the media.

"At Everton we should be under pressure to win games. I share the fans' frustration at the lack of wins."

"Any winning team faces pain initially - it’s how you respond to that adversity that matters. We are fully focused on Sunday."

"We're still hurting as a football club, but our attention now switches to being successful in the FA Cup," continued the gaffer.

In terms of team news for the trip up north the Spaniard explained, "James McCarthy, Tom Cleverley and Seamus Coleman came through the game against Man City really well and will be available. Kevin Mirallas faces a late fitness test ahead of Sunday."

But as far as incoming transfers before the deadline on Monday, the manager wasn't so forthcoming, "We’ll keep our options open until deadline day." He added.

Moving back onto his current squad, Martinez will have surprised most by saying, "We are not underachieving."

"We have never won the title," he exclaimed. "We are a really exciting group of players and have the best potential in a number of years.

"We need to go through painful lessons to be able to develop a know how of a winning team. We’re making progress."

The Toffees manager saying his side are not underachieving will frustrate most of the Goodison faithful, even more than they already are, especially having only won six games in the league all season but Martinez believes things are going against the Blues at the moment and the squad's potential will shine through.

"We are talking about very small margins. We should finish with three points against Chelsea and a point against Swansea.

"I don’t think they reflect the level of our performance.

"I think this is a squad to be excited about. We are going to be resilient and make the fans proud.

"We are getting close to getting back to the glory years. But it won’t be easy or pain free."