Your morning Everton headline on Tuesday, January 17.
Everton players 'not good enough' and need to take account for club 'mess'
The only people who are going to get Everton out of this are the players and they need to start earning their crust and forget about what’s going on upstairs because it’s a mess. How many players can say they came off the pitch against Wolves, Brighton or Southampton and say ‘I gave everything’, I can’t think of one which is very concerning.
To get out of this situation we’re in, we need players to start taking accountability. I’m calling out each and every player, it’s your fault we’re in this mess.
You can blame Frank Lampard and blame the board but you’re bottom of the league because you’re not good enough and not showing enough passion and desire to win football games because you’re too comfortable. It’s only January but the fans feel they need to do big bus welcomes outside the ground because we know how poor you are but we’re trying to back you.
You’re not that good. I was there as a young kid in the 1990s and we weren’t that good. You’ve got to be brave and find a solution. Everyone is hiding in a shell right now, petrified of making a mistake but you’re not going to win football games like that and you’ve got to change your mentality as football players.
To read the rest of Michael Ball's column, click here.
Frank Lampard issues challenge to Everton youngster attracting interest from across Europe
The first team door remains open to Everton starlet Isaac Price with Frank Lampard praising the teenager's efforts to force himself into contention.
Price was one of several academy prospects considered to be a genuine part of the senior squad by Lampard as the Premier League returned following the World Cup break. But after an appearance from the bench against Brighton and Hove Albion he has missed out on the last two matchday squads - though he continues to be involved with first team training at Finch Farm.
Lampard praised Price for his commitment and ambition, explaining he remains in his plans even if opportunities may appear limited. Price made his first team debut in the final game of last season at Arsenal before returning to the Under-21s at the start of this season. He came to the fore during the club's November involvement in the Sydney Super Cup, starting in the successes over both Celtic and Western Sydney Wanderers. The 19-year-old centre midfielder was hailed as Everton's most impressive performer over the tour by Lampard and, with Stan Mills and Tom Cannon, was identified as part of the first team squad rather than the academy set up in the build up to the return of the Premier League after the World Cup.
Joe Thomas has more, here.
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