By George Overhill

18th Feb, 2022 | 6:05am

Everton Women expert considers the state of the season ahead of the international break

We’re delighted to welcome Peter MacFarlane, member of the Everton Women Official Supporters Club, as our exclusive Everton Women expert.

After a turbulent time at the club and with a hectic schedule on the horizon Everton Women expert Peter MacFarlane has assessed the current state of play.

After the 2-0 reverse against Aston Villa the Toffees are in the midst of a four-game losing streak in the WSL.

They also saw their manager Jean-Luc Vasseur sacked in that time and replaced by Chris Roberts and Claire Ditchburn, but the pair have so far not been able to arrest the slide.

Speaking exclusively to Goodison News MacFarlane considered where the team stands right now: “The international break gives the players a chance to regroup and it’s imperative that we start to pick up results soon.

“Defeat at the weekend saw us drop down a place to 11th, just one place above the drop zone, albeit with three games in hand on 10th place Leicester.

“It’s been a tough season both on and off the pitch, not least because of the managerial changes, but there is absolutely no reason why this squad of players, with all their talent, should be in the position that they find themselves.

“They say the league table doesn’t lie, if that’s the case then we desperately need to start showing our quality and start picking up points.

“The European places are obviously so far out of reach, but we have so many talented players in that side, a number of whom are out of contract in the summer, so we need to show a massive improvement if we are to convince those top players that Everton is where they should play their football. 

“We [the fans] have so much belief in them and can see they’re struggling, but it’s during times of adversity that it’s so crucial to stick together.

“The FA Cup is up next, with a tricky away trip to Charlton, but it certainly gives the players the opportunity to go out and express themselves, and try to get a bit of spring back in their step before a tough few games in the WSL.”

Claire Emslie and Lucy Graham are going to the Pinatar Cup with Scotland during the break, while Courtney Brosnan will be there for the Republic of Ireland.

Kenza Dali is set for the Tourmoi de France with the French team, Aurora Galli is due to feature in the Algarve Cup with Italy which will also see Anna Anvegård, Nathalie Björn and Hanna Bennison in the Sweden squad, and Leonie Maier is going to the Arnold Clark Cup with Germany.

Simone Magill is playing for Northern Ireland, while Sandy MacIver, Megan Finnigan, Poppy Pattinson and Gabby George are in the England U23s squad, and Grace Clinton joins Lois Moore in the U19s for the Marbella International Tournament.

It is a packed schedule on the return to club action following this, with five matches in 17 days, so the team needs to find some form quickly and the hope is the international break can assist in that.

In other Everton news, Richard Dunne has hailed a smart move from Frank Lampard.