Anthony Gordon has opened up on Carlo Ancelotti's message for him over the last few weeks on the area he needs to improve.
The winger started in Everton's FA Cup victory over Rotherham United earlier this month, and got off to a great start in that game with an assist for Cenk Tosun's opening goal.
That match was only the youngster's third start of the season so far, with two of those coming in cup competitions.
And, ahead of Sheffield Wednesday's trip to Goodison Park on Sunday, Gordon has described what Ancelotti has tasked him to improve if he wants to be in the side more regularly.
The 19-year-old told evertonfc.com : “I need to be a consistently reliable defender for the team. That is what I’d say I need to improve – and what the manager has said to me.
“I work hard on it every day. It has to come from me, no one else can do it for me.
“If I really want to improve and that is my weakness, it is up to me to focus on it and make it a strong point. I think I press really well because I am eager to win back the ball and go and attack.
“Where I need to improve is getting back into shape quicker and being harder to beat, instead of pressing, then waiting and not getting back into shape – being the odd one out.”
Having started well against Rotherham, Gordon's performance trailed off somewhat as the match went on before he was withdrawn from the action just after the hour mark.
* Take our Everton transfer wishlist survey and let us know who you think the Blues should sign here.
The winger admitted that he had picked up a lot of fatigue early on in the match, and that he was eventually disappointed with his overall display.
But he's determined to build on that and improve in the future.
“I was tired really early in the game,” Gordon added.
“Playing matches is a completely different sort of fitness. Your mind is 100 per cent in a game, you can’t train that. You can’t do it until you are in the moment and feeling every emotion during the game.
“I showed glimpses of quality but not enough, I was quite disappointed in myself. I got an assist and we ended up winning, so it wasn’t too bad.
“Playing a Championship team, which was quite defensive minded, I felt I could have really got at them, but my fitness levels just weren’t there.
“It was a step, at least, and I want build on that.”
