Michael Ball sends Everton squad warning ahead of clash vs Manchester City
Michael Ball has sent the Everton squad a warning ahead of their huge Premier League clash with Man City, telling them to make sure they give 100% in his ECHO column.
Everton suffered yet another defeat in their pursuit of survival at the weekend when Southampton beat them 2-0 and Frank Lampard’s side now host league leaders City in the next game.
But with good home form so far, Ball believes that the fans only want to see the players giving everything and ahead of a tough game says the three points aren’t necessarily important to the crowd.
“Our fans just ask the players to show 100% desire,” he said. “None of this just strolling around the park, slowness and head down attitude.
“It’s all about giving everything you’ve got for the shirt.
“If you do that then the fans will applaud you off the pitch and if you get three points then even better.”
Points are needed
While a good performance and attitude are the absolute minimum for Everton right now, they really do need the points if they want to get to safety.
Man City are coming off the back of a defeat to Tottenham at home last week and will be out for revenge, and Everton are the last team that want to be coming up against them right now.
They’ve struggled massively defensively under both Benitez and Lampard, but at least they’ve been able to score goals at home in recent games.
If they can play with intensity and bravery then there is evidence there that City can be got at and they’re vulnerable to conceding goals to counter attacks.
If Everton can exploit that then they have the chance of causing a big shock, but it needs 100 percent effort and commitment as well as a little bit of luck too.
In other Everton news, ‘You’re right’ – Gary Neville shares verdict on Everton relegation battle