Morgan Schneiderlin has leapt to the defence of Marco Silva, claiming the players need to take more responsibility with their performances.
The Everton manager has come under some flak in the past few days following the club’s disappointing away loss to Bournemouth on Sunday, the second successive away loss in the Premier League after the Toffees also fell victim to Aston Villa.
Silva’s tactics have been called into question while others have been searching for an answer behind the Toffees’ poor away form, and the French midfielder has defended Silva, claiming that the players are given every possible bit of information to prepare them for each game, so it is up to them when they disappoint.
Talking about the club’s preparation ahead of hosting Sheffield United at Goodison Park on Saturday, Schneiderlin told Everton’s official website:
The manager and staff give us every single piece of information we need.
We have videos available to see our opponents. We have everything we need.
There are no excuses. We are going to know every single Sheffield United player. What they want, what they like and don’t like, their strengths and weaknesses.
It was the same against Bournemouth. But it is up to us on the pitch to make be clear [in executing our gameplan] and win.
We are going to keep working, I am sure of that. It will be a tough game.
Sheffield United will be another team who will try to exploit every set play and long ball. We have to work hard. We work hard every Thursday and Friday with the manager on set plays.
It is not a lack of training or information [that has led to errors]. There are small mistakes we need to correct.
Schneiderlin has been deputising in Andre Gomes stead with the Portugal international currently injured, but there have been calls for Tom Davies to replace the former Manchester United man this weekend. Should Schneiderlin start?
Read Everton Verdict
It really does feel right now that through tough spells and positive times, the Everton players are standing behind their manager, and that is very positive. Over the years, there has at times been a disconnect, but it doesn’t seem to be the case at the moment.
That can only reflect positively onto the field, presuming players continue to put their feet right. Bournemouth was another poor performance, but the player should be good enough and professional enough to analyse their mistakes and to amend them against the Blades.
Now is the time where we need to see points being picked up, especially against so-called ‘smaller sides’, so hopefully the Everton line-up can live up to Schneiderlin’s word.
