Everton boss Roberto Martinez supports Tim Howard despite poor results

Amid criticism from supporters for a string of poor results, Everton gaffer Roberto Martinez pledged his support for first-choice shot-stopper Tim Howard after his shaky performance in their 2-1 loss to Arsenal over the weekend.

In a recent Liverpool Echo poll, 86 percent of those surveyed voted the U.S. No. 1 should be dropped in favour of backup Joel Robles for a weekend fixture against Sunderland, though the manager thinks otherwise.

"Tim is a very experienced senior player and has a huge influence in the dressing room. He will be the first to be critical of his performances, but Tim has had very strong highs already this season," Martinez told reporters, according to ESPN FC.

"As we all know, footballers go through good moments of form and bad moments of form. They have good games and unfortunate games. That happens in every single part of a season for any player."

Howard won't play Tuesday in League Cup action when Everton hosts Norwich City at Goodison Park, as Martinez named Robles his cup keeper for the year.

There have been some questions surrounding Howard's showing at the Emirates, with both goals resulting from close-range headers by Laurent Koscielny and Olivier Giroud.

"Given his standards, he's not going to be happy with us as a team conceding two goals in a short space of time, but he's one of the most experienced senior figures that we have and he doesn't need any protection," Martinez said.

The New Jersey-born Howard joined Everton in 2007 following a four-year spell at Manchester United, where the 36-year-old cemented his status as the best American export during that span.