Football
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Roberto Martinez not expecting 'major changes' to Everton squad in January

LIVERPOOL -- Everton manager Roberto Martinez says he is not planning any major signings in January because he believes his squad can cope with the demands of domestic and European football.

Martinez was busy in the summer's transfer window, adding Romelu Lukaku, Samuel Eto'o, Muhamed Besic and young defender Brendan Galloway to his squad, while also borrowing Chelsea winger Christian Atsu for the season and making Gareth Barry's loan move from Manchester City a permanent deal.

The Toffees boss last week played down reports linking him with a move for Legia Warsaw midfielder Ondrej Duda.

And he feels that the additions made during the summer give Everton the strength in depth that will be required as they compete in the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Europa League after Christmas.

Martinez told a news conference: "We'll always work hard to try to see what we can do, but it's not a priority in this window.

"I felt the priority was to make sure we got exactly what we wanted in the summer window. We achieved that, and I'm very pleased with the squad. In January, I don't expect any major changes."

Martinez's immediate priority is to improve a Premier League position he feels does not reflect the standard of his team's performances this season.

Everton are in 10th place ahead of Saturday's trip to Southampton, having won five out of 16 league matches this term.

However, they have drawn another six of those games, and Martinez thinks too many points have been thrown away.

He said: "I think the group have shown they've got a very strong mentality. The only thing we can be critical about is that maybe we haven't got the points that we should have had in the league.

"Sometimes, it's a really good knack to have as a team that you don't have to be perfect to get the full points. The top teams, the ones who are always fighting for titles, they do that. I don't think we've done that.

"We've had to be perfect every time we get the three points. That's something we need to work on, to understand how to do it. But I'm very excited about the second half of the season, because I can see something special building in the dressing room."

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