Peter Crouch says Everton have genuine issues amid relegation crisis
Peter Crouch has suggested that Everton have genuine issues as they are facing the prospect of relegation.
The Toffees are just above the relegation zone with only goal differences separating them from the bottom three.
Frank Lampard’s side lost 1-0 against Wolves in the Premier League on Sunday at Goodison Park.
“If there is one cliche I can get on board with, it is ‘six-pointer’ as those games are massive,” wrote Crouch for The Daily Mail.
“No team is ‘too good to go down’. There are genuine issues at Everton. And Leeds, despite yesterday’s win over Norwich, are in trouble.
“I always feel that starting to panic earlier is beneficial. Realise you’re in a scrap, embrace it. The same thing applies to the games in hand — you end up viewing them as this safety blanket that does not exist if you’re down at the bottom.”
Genuine issues
Yes, Crouch is spot on here. There are big issues at the moment.
The poor recruitments in the last five-six years, constant change of management, wrong appointments are boardroom failures are long-term issues.
These have culminated into the present scenario, and there’s no hiding from it. But what are the short-term issues?
Defence: The back line is all over the place, and the Toffees can’t stop leaking goals at the moment.
Away form: They have won just one game away from home all season. It’s shambolic. It’s their home form they’re counting on, and it seems they can’t pick up points at home either.
Tactics: Lampard has got his tactics wrong in the last few games. He keeps on using Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure in midfield, and it’s not working.
Confidence: There is no real leader in the team who can take responsibility and lead by example.
Lack of goals: The goals have dried up with Dominic Calvert-Lewin failing to replicate his old form. Richarlison is not getting proper services as well.
In other Everton news, Jonjoe Kenny hails ‘different class’ Frank Lampard and his staff.
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