Former Everton central defender Joleon Lescott was left confused by Sean Dyche's choice to leave out attacker Demarai Gray in the 4-1 loss to Newcastle United.
The Blues are 19th in the Premier League and face an almighty battle to secure their status in the top flight for next season. Next up they face relegation rivals Leicester City on Monday at the King Power Stadium.
Leicester sit one point and one place above Everton and a win for either side would be huge in their bid for survival given it would take them out of the bottom three with four games of the campaign to play.
READ MORE: 'Turn the lights off' - Paul Merson sends relegation warning to Everton as Leicester prediction made
READ MORE: Farhad Moshiri and the Everton board have achieved the unimaginable - left fans without hope
Dyche's side are struggling for goals, though, and the omission of Gray against the Champions League-bound Magpies left Lescott scratching his head.
Speaking on BT Sport 2, he said: "That is the biggest game in the recent history of the club [against Leicester]. I believe whoever loses that game is going down. Listen, Everton can’t rely on their home form now, they have to win away and they have to perform.
"[Dyche] spoke about the effort but there has to be more than effort, there has to be some quality and some belief. He made some changes [against Newcastle] and I understand because they seem positive.
“But how Demarai Gray didn’t get on that pitch… he’s been one of the most consistent performers at Everton this season. They need to take a look at their fixtures and somehow find some points away from home.”
READ NEXT:
What Everton need from Amadou Onana after dramatic drop off in key area
Everton Fan Advisory Board declare no confidence in Bill Kenwright
Everton hero has unfairly become a symbol of Farhad Moshiri's disastrous reign
Sean Dyche reveals what happened in Everton dressing room after dismal Newcastle defeat
Sean Dyche faces Ben Godfrey decision as Yerry Mina question raised for Everton
