Spineless stars are going through the motions... this was a travesty

SPINELESS. As this most dispiriting season limps towards a miserable conclusion, that is the only word suitable to describe Everton.

This campaign has seen them melt with harrowing frequency and the Emirates Stadium annihilation was the sixth time they have been beaten by four or more goals since September. Inevitably after such results, blame rains down on the dugout.

Sam Allardyce cannot escape criticism. He made too many changes to the team who had beaten Leicester three days earlier, switched the formation and saw Arsenal trample all over his plans in a first half that was so one- sided it bordered on farcical.

When Everton shipped five goals to Arsenal at Goodison Park last October, Ronald Koeman was sacked the following day. After they were pummelled by four at Southampton in November, David Unsworth’s time in caretaker charge was promptly ended. Many fans want more managerial change. Such are the rumblings of discontent that some are threatening not to return to Goodison Park next year if Allardyce remains in charge.

Yet swinging the axe would not address the overriding issue — too many of this squad are going through the motions, drifting along and have made no attempt to understand what it means to play for Everton.

The minimum requirement when pulling on a royal blue shirt is to fight, work and show you care. The vast majority who started at Arsenal did nothing of the sort. That is a travesty. That is why they are spineless.