Michael Ball wants six points from Everton games v Arsenal and Brentford, ‘that’s why you play’
Former Everton left-back Michael Ball has called for the team to win six points from their games against Arsenal and Brentford after the international break.
Ball claimed that targeting wins from every match should always be the aim in top-level football, saying you don’t go into games hoping to come out with just a draw.
He has also stated that this Everton side look lacklustre against so-called lesser sides, meaning they may turn up for their games against more difficult opponents, with their recent record against Arsenal at Goodison Park standing out.
Writing in his column in the Liverpool Echo on 11 September, Ball stated: “Everton seem to have a good record against Arsenal at Goodison Park, they seem to lift their levels.
“Whether it suits the certain style of Sean Dyche, or before him the players that we have, to sit back, keep it tight, break on the counter or take opportunities from set pieces, I don’t know.
“What has let us down is when we play against the so-called lesser teams, that mentality is lacking, the performance rate is lower and that’s why we don’t capitalise on getting maximum points – Fulham and Wolves at home especially.
“These are the moments you’ve got to get right. Yes, players are away on internationals, they’ll keep a certain level of fitness, but it’s the ones at Finch Farm who will have that balance of sharpness and endurance training.
“That being said, a positive return from the next two fixtures against Arsenal and Brentford, I just want to win every game. Your target is to win every game.
“They might have an off day, we might have a good day. It’s been against us far too many times but as a starting point, you’ve got to have that willingness and confidence to receive the ball.
“If I was the manager or a player, I’d want six points. That’s what I’d be going for, that’s why you play football at a top level. You don’t go onto the football field to hope for a draw.”
Points need to start adding up quickly
There have been positives to take for the Toffees despite an objectively poor start to the season. Just two goals from four games, which both came in the draw at Sheffield United before the international break, have outlined their major issue, but the chance creation has not been lacking.
Defensively, meanwhile, the team have looked strong and organised for the most part, but it’s the switching off and allowing sloppy goals that cost them in the end, particularly against Fulham and Wolves at Goodison Park.
It’s fine to talk about the performances as a sign that the points will come eventually, but it’s all theoretical. Everton need points on the board and they need them soon, so the level of their opponents shouldn’t come into it, they need to believe they can win.
As Ball stated, their record against Arsenal at Goodison Park has been impressive in recent years despite their opponents’ overall success, so confidence should be taken from that as they lead into the fixture.
In other Everton news, two clubs are now in a battle to sign a Toffees player outside of the transfer window.