Everton process has to be trusted despite ‘long-winded’ nature – Michael Ball
Everton may have secured a surprise point away at Manchester City but Michael Ball is still not satisfied with the position the club are in.
The Toffees are still only just above the relegation zone after the draw at The Etihad and off-the-pitch matters are not all fine and dandy either.
But Ball is keen for the Evertonians to remain calm and patient with the club as they look to slowly battle their way back to where they should be.
“Everton, right now, are not where we want to be on and off the pitch,” Ball said to the Liverpool Echo. “But we can’t expect things to change overnight, so we need to trust the process which may be slow and long-winded.
“Surely, though, it’s the avenue we need to go down after our recent history. We all know after last year that this group of players need each and every one of our fans in full voice to push for that extra percentage points which made the difference last season.
“Yes, of course, we pay our money to be entertained, and I’m sure many season ticket holders are probably only still holding on to be on the list for the new stadium. But our Grand Old Lady won’t be here for long and we need to make the most of it.”
Quick fix
While a long-term solution does need to be found, there has to be some kind of quick fix put in place to ensure the club don’t get themselves relegated to the Championship.
Everton can’t just buy stop-gap players transfer window after transfer window no matter how good they might be for a season or two.
A proper project does indeed take time and Frank Lampard might be the man to lead it down the line but if he can’t ensure the club’s survival in the Premier League then he has to be on the chopping block.
Ball can ask for patience all he likes but it will only stretch so far when the club are embroiled in a relegation scrap, whether the draw away at Manchester City comes into it or not.
Farhad Moshiri has never been shy to make big decisions quickly at Goodison Park and should momentum not be carried from The Etihad into the future then Lampard will find himself jobless very soon.