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Sam Allardyce insisted he wants to stay at Everton beyond this season - and revealed he is having talks with club owner Farhad Moshiri about the future.

The Blues boss was quizzed about his future at today's press conference to preview Brighton's visit to Goodison Park on Saturday.

Allardyce signed an 18-month contract when he arrived at Everton in November but was the subject of an angry crowd reaction at Burnley last weekend.

There has been speculation about possible replacements since then, but asked whether he wanted to remain Everton manager next season he said: "Of course, There's tough times and there's times when you have to draw in, close the doors and stay focused on what you want to try and achieve.

"It's very disappointing for everybody, myself included, that we have slipped to where we have slipped to after we put ourselves in such a fantastic position in the early stages of me walking through the door.

"I came out of retirement because there was a long term plan at Everton and a long term aspect going forward that I was excited to be part of - and understanding the history of Everton Football Club and the amount of mates who were here when Everton was very successful, the Peter Reids, the Andy Grays, the Paul Bracewells, Adrian Heaths.

"I know all about Everton and what it demands and what we've got to try and achieve - and that was an exciting prospect.

"Rather than short term I want it to be a long term appointment."

Asked whether he was planning for the future with Farhad Moshiri he added: "I'm having talks with him but obviously those talks are confidential.

"We're in a difficult period at the moment yes, but we have to try and turn that around on Saturday. It's my responsibility to get the team to play at a level we know they can play."

Allardyce also sought to clarify his comments last week when he compared the expectation levels at Everton to previous clubs he has managed like Newcastle and West Ham.

He said: "Every club's fans have a lot of passion and the history of Evertron is far greater than Newcastle and West Ham, but every fan has great demands and when there are big crowds the demand is bigger. That's what it's all about

"For me Everton is completely different to Newcastle or West Ham but it was just a comparison. It wasn't anything other than that.

"The ambition at Everton is different to Newcastle and different to West Ham but if you don't play as well as they expect you to play and don't entertain they show their disapproval and that's what you have to deal with as a manager.

"Our fans at home have been fantastic since I have been here. I think they've got behind the team even when they've not been playing too well and helped them along the way to get a result.

"Certainly in the last two home games they have been fantastic - and since I've been here, of course.

"Our fans get behind the team, like every fan. Everyone is passionate, everyone has ambition and when they don't see the players playing to the level they expect, they show their disapproval ... and rightly so.

"Away from home is where that problem really lies. We have to make sure we don't have that problem on Saturday and we excite the fans. They will get behind us if we give the sort of performances we gave against Leicester and Crystal Palace."