After their pathetic display against league leaders Manchester City this past weekend, Everton have managed to hit a new low in what was already a dreadful season.
Everton have been embarrassing to watch recently and it’s not down to a lack of quality in the squad.
The apathetic performances against sides they were expected to compete with this season have been completely void of any desire or commitment to the cause.
Arguably the most worrying factor in last Saturday’s display was the absence of any signs of frustration from the players.
They were far too accepting of the inevitable defeat and that is simply unacceptable for the fans that know and love this illustrious football club.
Manchester City are clearly a superior side to Everton this season, but they barely needed to break a sweat at Goodison Park and eased to victory against a side that failed to put up a fight.
A lifeless midfield display was the main point of contention amongst supporters after Saturday’s match, and rightly so.
Wayne Rooney & Morgan Scheniderlin were non-existent when City broke through to score their second goal from Ederson’s goal kick and they contributed virtually nothing to the game.
Two of the more experienced players in the Everton line-up managed to complete just eight passes between them in the 57 minutes they were on the pitch together. Quite frankly, they should both be ashamed by that statistic.
As well as the dismal midfield display, much of the criticism was once again directed at Sam Allardyce.
The current Everton boss has shown no passion or desire to find success since his arrival and that seems to have rubbed off on his players.
Furthermore, by pin-pointing Bolasie’s missed header as a significant factor in the defeat, he has shown his ignorance to the bigger problems at the club.
The overall set-up of his team and negative tactics are what has led to the majority of Everton fans wanting him out of the club.
This is not how the Blues’ supporters want to see their side play. If Allardyce fails to see that then he needs to get out of the club sooner rather than later.
This Saturday’s match against rivals Liverpool marks the final game of any real significance for the club this season.
While it does give Everton an opportunity to build some positivity around Goodison, many will be fearing that things will only get worse.
With another overhaul of the squad expected this Summer, Saturday may the last chance for some of the squad to show their worth to the team. Otherwise, they could very well be sold before next season.
In a Merseyside Derby, anyone who pulls on an Everton shirt simply has to give their all for the team. The Everton fans will not want to see players feeling sorry for themselves on Saturday.
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They will want to see players wearing the club’s badge with pride and showing them that they want to play for the club.
Everton’s mantra is ‘Nil Satis Nisi Optimum’, which translates as ‘Nothing but the best is good enough’. How many players in the squad can honestly say they have given their best for the team this season?
This weekend’s game is less about the result and more about the performance.
All the Goodison faithful have ever asked for is for players to be committed and show some desire to play for Everton Football Club.
Next: Are these new players coming?
Win, lose or draw, that is a must from whoever steps out on the field for the Blues this coming Saturday.