‘I don’t think they sense danger’; ‘worried’ legend points finger at Everton character flaws
Former Everton defender Kevin Ratcliffe is concerned that a lack of leadership at the club could result in relegation at the end of the season.
The Toffees have failed to ignite in 2021-2022, with a promising start under Rafa Benitez now seeming a world away from their current predicament. The Spanish tactician guided the Merseysiders to four wins and draw from their first six games. But a dreadful run of results saw the former Liverpool chief sacked on January 16.
Frank Lampard was charged with the task of turning things around. But the ex-Chelsea manager has overseen just one top-flight victory since arriving at Goodison Park.
They have lost their past three league outings by a combined scoreline of 8-0 and sit 17th in the table. There is no doubting that the Blues are involved in a relegation fight.
They are only one point above the drop zone although they do have games in hand on all the clubs around them. Many pundits have put forward reasons why Everton have struggled so badly this term.
Ratcliffe, who made 359 appearances for the club, has now had his say. And the 61-year-old feels the problems run deeper than just one or two positions.
“It’s quite worrying. I do worry as well whether we’ve got the right people to get us out of it,” he told the Liverpool Echo. “There’s got to be some kind of issue in terms of character because we see so many mixed performances.
“Somebody will get man-of-the-match in one game then the following week they’ll have a stinker.”
Ratcliffe takes aim at Everton defence
Everton have scored just 28 Premier League goals this season, while conceding 46. They are still in the FA Cup and face a trip to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace on March 20.
That is one positive in what has been a woeful campaign to date. Staying in the top flight is the top priority.
And Ratcliffe feels it is high time that those in the rearguard begin to step up to the plate.
“Collectively they’ve got to take responsibility. Perhaps the defence doesn’t get enough protection from the midfield players but there just seem to be big gaps in the team,” he added.
“Whenever somebody makes a mistakes, there’s nobody there to rectify it. I don’t think they sense danger.
“It’s a concern that there’s no leadership in the heart of defence.”
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