---
title: "Silva’s raises eyebrows by shaking hands with his players after United defeat – should this be a problem?"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/silvas-raises-eyebrows-by-shaking-hands-with-his-players-after-united-defeat-should-this-be-a-problem/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Elliott Cuff"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2019-09-25T12:00:21Z"
modified: "2019-09-25T12:00:21Z"
---

# Silva’s raises eyebrows by shaking hands with his players after United defeat – should this be a problem?

Marco Silva’s decision to shake hands with his players following defeat to Sheffield United on Saturday seemingly raised cause for concern among Everton’s board members, according to reports.

Everton got back to winning ways against Sheffield Wednesday last night, but prior to that they lost to the club’s bitter rivals, losing 2-0 at Goodison Park to the Blades.

While Everton’s recent run of results has raised some eyebrows among the club’s fan base, it was Silva’s actions after the final whistle that concerned several of those in the directors’ box.

Silva clapped several of his players on the back as they left the field, which according to The Athletic ([via Sportslens](https://sportslens.com/marco-silva-shaking-hands-with-his-players-on-the-touchline-after-sheffield-uniteds-loss-raised-eyebrows-in-everton-directors-box/276510/)), was perceived by some as not stern enough a reaction to their poor performance.

![Nathan Stirk/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readeverton.com/readeverton/2019/09/1176151465.jpg)

Silva is not the type of manager to publicly criticise his players and isolate those who are going wrong, but it is expected that through body language at least, Silva can show his disproval when the players aren’t up to standard.

Everton have lost three of their last four Premier League games, to Bournemouth, Aston Villa and the Blades, and with Manchester City the next game for the Blues, a win doesn’t look likely against Pep Guardiola’s side.

Silva has come under pressure due to those disappointing results, which have only been further compounded by the expectations set upon the club this season. With the amount of investment they have put into new signings, more is expected of them on the field.

Should the former Watford boss be more stern with his players, or is he to blame for their failings?

### Read Everton Verdict

It is bizarre because if you asked me a month ago whether Silva should be sacked, the answer would be a firm and confident no. Now, I’d still say no, but doubt has definitely crept in and corrupted my headspace, and now Silva has a lot to answer for going forward.

His touchline manner is one which seems to get a little bit of press, and as far as I’m concerned, I don’t care how he acts in the dugout or towards his players at the full-time whistle so long as he is talking to them correctly in the changing rooms. He should be geeing them up at half-time, and tearing into them if they cannot find a way to win against a ‘lesser’ side, and so long as he is doing that then I’m pleased.

Him clapping his players on the back is irrelevant. I don’t want a Jose Mourinho type manager who blatantly and almost cruelly shuns his players when they don’t perform, because Everton are better than that. As long as he is giving them stick when and if they require it in the privacy of behind-closed-doors, then I’m happy with his attitude.