‘Rudderless ship’ - Everton legend’s son gives frank verdict of the Toffees after Manchester City loss

Everton have been criticised as a "rudderless ship" as their problems continued at Manchester City.

The Toffees fell to a meek 3-0 loss at the Premier League champions on Sunday. Their winless streak extending to six matches and have tasted victory just once in their past nine games.

What's been said

Rafa Benitez and his Everton players have copped their share of flak for the performance at the Etihad.

However, scrutiny has also turned towards the Goodison Park hierarchy.

Jimmy Ball, who is the son of Toffees legend Alan Ball, claimed there has been “a loss of identity, horrific spending and recruitment policies” in recent years.

Writing on Twitter, the former Forest Green Rovers interim boss said: “I feel Everton Football Club are in a reel [sic] crisis, loss of identity, horrific spending and recruitment policies, little to no thought behind managerial appointments.

"And a squad of players who seem to have no idea of the minimum requirements the fan base expects. Rudderless ship.

“By minimum requirements I mean, out run and out compete your opponents.”

He added: “My question is who or what process took place when bringing the players into the club, paying insane fees and wages to players that don’t fit the fans expectations of effort and commitment. Not to mention actual football ability.”

Background

Everton are currently in a precarious financial position due to their profligacy over the past few seasons.

For example, the Blues handed a contract reportedly worth £200,000 per week to James Rodriguez in September 2020. He made just 26 appearances before leaving a year later.

Meanwhile, £35 million was splashed out on Alex Iwobi.

Despite the heavy spending, Everton finished a disappointing12th and 10th in the past two campaigns.

As a result of the rash spending, Benitez could splash out just £1.7 million during his first summer transfer window after succeeding Carlo Ancelotti in June.

‘I don’t like to lose’

Everton were without three key players in Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Yerry Mina against City.

To make matters worse, Demarai Gray limped off in the 16th minute with what appeared to be a groin injury.

Still, Benitez made no excuses and rued the visitors’ lack of threat on the counter-attack.

He told the club’s website: “I don’t like to lose against anyone, it doesn’t matter about the name of the team.

“You have to be a threat on the counter-attack in these kinds of games, we had our chances without creating too much, and it it a matter of time after defending [for prolonged periods] before you make a mistake.

“We tried, we had two or three situations in the first half when we didn’t do well enough on the counter, it was just defending, and normally you lose these games.”

Fans’ reaction

Many supporters concurred with Ball’s comments on the current situation at Everton.