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News
Everton’s 4-1 defeat to Southampton adds to growing problems at Goodison Park
Everton’s 4-1 defeat to So🌞uthampton this Sunday left them just two points above the relegation zone in a season that iꦯs going from bad to worse for the Toffees. The four goals conceded by David Unsworth’s side meant they have now let in 28 goals from just 13 matches.
Although Gylfi Sigurdsson’s long range strike was a positive for Everton, there was little else to write home about in a game that Southa𒆙mpton dominated.
It has been well documented that the Toffees’ summer recruitment has been a bꦏig reason behind their lack of success, with insufficient signings in key areas. One of those areas was highlighted profoundly on Sunday, with Leighton Baines going off with a knee injury in the first half.
Everton did not haveꦜ another natural left-back in the match💃-day squad, so centre back Ashley Williams was brought on to replace the Englishman, with Aaron Lennon shifted into a wing-back role.
Lennon is not a natural in that p✨osition and is far more effective further forward and, somewhat predictably, two Southampton goals originated from his side.
🍰Although this defeat comes as a fresh blow to Unsworth, it is the managerial uncertainty surrounding the club that is causing Everton major issues.
Ronald Koeman was sacked by chairman Farhad Mohsiri nearly five weeks ago now, and the club still🌊 seem no closer to appointing his successor.
Martin O’Neill was touted as the leading favourite for the vacany🔯 but whether he would be tempted into returning to club football af🦩ter a stint with Republic of Ireland remains to be seen.
Marco Silva has a🐭lso been approached, with Everton rumoured to be willing to pay £20 million in compensation to prize him away from Wa🍰tford, according to the .
Nonetheless, the Hornets hꦫave firmly stated t🎃hat they will not allow their manager to take the reins at Goodison Park.
Unsworth was put under more pressure on Thursday, with Everton losing 5-1 to Italian side Atalanta, their heaviest𓂃 home loss in Europe.
It is difficult to blame the former Sheffield United defender for most of his side’s troubles currently, with Everton’s players clearlyꦗ shot of confidence.
He has made some major 🔯changes to the club’s personnel, switching from the winger-less system that Koeman employed, while bringing Aaron Lennon, Kevin Mirallas and Sandro Ramirez back to the first team.
He has also given promising full-back Jonjoe Kenny a run in theꦆ team ahead of the under-performing Cuco Martina.
It can also be argued that Everton are missing the experience and quality of long-term absentees Seamus Coleman, Ross Barkley and Yannick Bolasie – three players who would surely be s💦ome of the first names on the team sheet at Goodison Park.
However, all of the players above were injured during the summer, a window in which Everton spent nearly £200 million o♌n players.
Gylfi S♊igurdsson has shown glimpses of his quality, scoring an excellent goal against Southampton, and Jordan Pickford has performed as well as could be expected, but many other Everton signings have taken time to settle into the side.
Davy Klaassen, signed from Ajax for ▨, and Martina did not make it into the match day squad against Southampton. Meanwhile, Sandro had struggled until his goal against Atalanta on Thursday.
Wayne Rooney, who is the Toffees’ꦇ 2nd top scorer, has even been dropped to the bench in recent weeks.
Overall, Evꦦ♒erton desperately need a managerial appointment to bring stability and confidence to a squad that is currently sliding towards the Premier League relegation zone.
Although Toffees fans are ไagainst the appointment, Sam Allardyce could provide the self-belief necessary to steer the club clear o𓆉f the drop.
He is renowned as a spec൲ialist in helping teams survive, but it is worth remembering the success he had in charge of Bolton, getting to the last 16 of the 2005/06 UEFA Cup and com๊ing within one place of qualifying for the Champions League during his final season in charge of the Trotters.
Regardless of who does take over at Goodison, the key for Everton is getting a manager into the club ahead of January and a transfer window that 🦄could be crucial in defini🧸ng the club’s season.