Ronald Koeman is unhappy with criticism levelled at his Everton players following their defeat to Liverpool, especially given his side have the chance to go above Manchester United on Wednesday.
The Dutchman was particularly irked by Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku being singled out for punishment, when he was forced to field including six youngsters against a "strong" local rival.
"I don't understand some comments, but I understand others. I think it's not important to go really individual about comments after the game," he said as the Toffees prepare to go to Old Trafford.
"Okay, maybe some players didn't perform at the level they did in the last few games. I spoke to Romelu, he was a little bit tired. That can all influence the performance of the player.
"But if you speak about Lukaku he's the top scorer in the league. Why now, about the Liverpool game, do we need to criticise Rom? He's a great striker. He's working hard. He's a human boy. It's not always a 10. That's football. If you don't play football maybe you don't understand that.
"Ross played a little bit of a different position to that which he played in the last few weeks. He lost several balls in the midfield, instead of playing a little bit faster and not dribbling with the ball. But he needs to improve in that. But not to take out one or two. That's not fair.
"I try to be realistic about the situation of the team, its progress, and the project of Everton. It's only one game. To take conclusions is not good. I don't like too much individually about the performances of the players because it's a team. They were not good enough but I was proud.
"I see football realistically but some have some problems to see that. But it's easy to give your opinion on TV without any responsibility."
Koeman started academy players Matthew Pennington, who scored, Mason Holgate, Tom Davies and Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the 3-1 defeat at Anfield.
And he said: "We had six players under 22. Maybe that's something to see that, instead of expecting a Champions League team.
"They will learn a lot from it; it's the best thing to get experience and game time. If we have young players developing and we have some injury problems then it's a good opportunity for them. That's the future of the club.
"Of course we like to sign and make the team stronger, but everybody is always talking about the academy of Everton. And I am the right manager for them because I am Dutch. I am not afraid to play them."