Tim Howard offers no excuses when assessing Everton's season so far.

"We have struggled, it's no secret," Howard told the Liverpool Echo. "It's kind of hard to take because it's the same team that finished fifth last season.

"The team spirit has been good, but the performances just haven't been there.

"I think we're all kind of pulling in the same direction. We're trying to get it right.

"The manager is plugging away the same way as we are. He's staying on top of us and trying to encourage us to keep pushing forward.

"I wish that we had got off to a better start, but that doesn't change anything at this moment.

"We have to keep going and put things right."