Who do Everton supporters want out of Merseyside
By Gary Pearson
The Liverpool Echo conducted an interesting poll about which players Everton supporters they’d like to see leave Goodison and the results probably won’t surprise you.
On the list of Merseyside outcasts is Aaron Lennon, with only 35% of supporters seeing a long-term future for the inconsistent winger. Lennon, with his former breakneck speed and shifty skills, used to strike fear into the heart of the opposition.
Not so much anymore.
His play has been fraught with inconsistency and a lack of direct intent. He isn’t creating chances and doesn’t track back well, an important facet of Ronald Koeman’s high press system.
It looks like we’ve passed the best by date when it comes to the 29-year-old diminutive winger.
Lennon, however, isn’t the man most wanted out of Goodison.
If it were up to supporters, Arouna Kone would be on the next bus out of town.
A miniscule 2 percent of supporters see the Ivorian staying at Goodison for the long-term. He started playing for the Toffees in 2013, but hasn’t made much of an impact since.
The 33-year-old is fading away quicker than geriatric with alzheimer’s. Then again, he could cannon ball from a height of 10 meters and still not make a splash.
Sayonara Arouna.
There’s no question that Kone gets the dubious distinction of being the most unwanted man at Goodison. But who rounds out the top three?
Tom Cleverley and Darron Gibson, of course.
Cleverley is unwanted marginally more than Gibson, but you almost need a recount to verify the results. Just over 3 percent of Evertonians believe Cleverley has a future as a Blue, while 4 percent think Gibson will stay.
Next: High hopes for Everton's new-look midfield
Toffees supporters have spoken and I couldn’t agree more. The arrival of quality goes hand-in-hand with the departure of inferiority.
That’s how ruthless football at the top level is. And so it should be.