LIVERPOOL -- Roberto Martinez has called on Everton's fans to stick by him as he bids to halt his worst run of form since becoming the club's manager.
Martinez's side fell to a fourth successive defeat in losing 2-0 at Hull in the Premier League on New Year's Day.
Captain Phil Jagielka backed his manager publicly after the game, but former Toffees striker-turned-television pundit Andy Gray has suggested that the team have become too easy to beat.
Martinez has been through worse runs as a manager, losing eight Premier League games in a row between September and November 2011 while in charge of Wigan.
But with Everton just four points above the relegation zone, lying in 13th place, he is looking to Tuesday's FA Cup third-round tie at home to West Ham to spark an upturn in form.
Asked if he could understand fans losing faith with him and a style of football based on having plenty of possession, Martinez said: "I think that's completely normal. What I would say is that we're here to be winning football games and we're here to build something for the future, and not just for now.
"The message to the fans is very clear. They know that we're all together, more than at any other time, when we face adversity.
"We need to react in the proper way, by finding solutions and making sure we find the way to become a winning side.
"We've shown so far that we've got a very talented group, and going through negative dynamics is just part of finding the right formula to fulfil our potential.
"It's time to help each other and help the players enjoy their football, and we'll get the reward from that, because the talent and the quality are there."
Martinez has not been helped by a long injury list, with goalkeeper Tim Howard (calf), defender Tony Hibbert (leg), midfielders Leon Osman (foot), Steven Pienaar (knee) and Darron Gibson (knee) all out of Tuesday's match, along with suspended centre-back Antolin Alcaraz, with winger Christian Atsu has joined up with Ghana's squad at the African Nations Cup in Equatorial Guinea.
Defender John Stones, though, is in contention to return from an ankle injury sustained during the Boxing Day defeat at home to Stoke.
And forward Kevin Mirallas, who has also been struggling with an ankle problem, could also be fit.
Martinez said: "John and Kevin Mirallas both have really positive news for us, as they're in the squad tomorrow for the West Ham game."
The manager, though, has no current return date for midfielder McCarthy, who has made just four appearances in two months because of hamstring problems.
Martinez said: "The hamstring is not ready to cope with 90 minutes' football. For that reason, we need to carry on with the treatment and see how every day develops.
"It's difficult to give an exact date, but at the moment, he's not going to be available for Tuesday, and we'll take it from there."