Everton manager Roberto Martinez has insisted that there is not a "blame culture" in the squad as he defends his decision to keep Tim Howard as his number one goalkeeper.

The USA international has been criticised for his recent performances, while Joel Robles was praised for his display against Norwich City in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday.

After the game, Martinez claimed that Howard would regain the number one spot for this Sunday's Premier League game against Sunderland, and he stands by that decision.

Martinez told the Liverpool Echo. "Joel knows exactly that he is here to fight for the No1 spot and there is no guarantee that any player will start and have the position for the whole season, but in the same manner as a goalkeeper, you cannot be with a sense that 'I've made a mistake, I am going to lose my position'.

"We don't manage the squad in that manner. Of course, we want competition for places and everyone gets judged on their levels but I will never allow the dressing room to be managed in a blame culture, where we try to highlight an error or blame someone for a result."

Howard has been the Toffees' main shot-stopper since 2007.