Allardyce determined to stay at Everton for the long term

Everton manager Sam Allardyce insists he wants to stay for the long term and is speaking to major shareholder Farhad Moshiri about the future.

The 63-year-old's position has come under scrutiny in recent weeks after just two wins in 12 matches, while their last away win came at Newcastle three months ago.

Unhappy fans, for whom Allardyce was not a popular choice when he was appointed in November, have been calling for his 18-month contract to be ended in the summer.

But the manager is taking a wider view of things, and asked whether he wanted to stay at the club he said: Of course.

"I am having talks with him (Moshiri) but those talks are confidential."

"I came out of retirement because there was a long-term plan at Everton, a long-term aspect of going forward which I was excited to be a part of and understanding the history of Everton Football Club."

"It is a difficult period at the moment, yes, but we have to turn that around and start on Saturday."

"There are tough times and there are times when you have to draw in and close the doors and stay focused on what you want to try to achieve."

"It is my responsibility to get the team to play to the level they know they can play; players' responsibility on the field of play is to play their best and I think when they play their best we can give anyone a game.''

Allardyce's position has not been helped by comments he made a week ago when he likened Everton's ambitions to former clubs Newcastle and West Ham.

That sparked supporters' anger and defeat at Burnley 24 hours later, having taken the lead, intensified the calls for him to go.

"Every club's fans have a lot of passion but like I said at the time the history of Everton is far greater than that of Newcastle and West Ham,'' added the Blues' boss.

"For me Everton is completely different from Newcastle or West Ham but it was just a comparison, it wasn't anything other than that."

"The ambition of Everton is different to Newcastle and different to West Ham but if you don't play as well as they expect you to do they show their disapproval and that's what you have to deal with as a manager."

"You have to turn that around and get everyone behind you.''

Argentina centre-back Ramiro Funes Mori is in contention for a place in Saturday's squad at home to Brighton after 11 months out following knee surgery