PREMIER LEAGUE IT’S GETTING SERIOUS FOR SILVA

Cottee insists Everton boss could be in big trouble if they lose to West Ham: It doesn’t matter if you’re a nice guy, it’s about results

TONY COTTEE says Marco Silva will be facing “serious questions” about his future if Everton lose to West Ham on Saturday.

But the former Toffees and Hammers striker believes Everton can still turn their stuttering season around and hopes Silva gets the time needed to lead them back up the table.

Everton have won just two Premier League games so far this term and a run of four defeats has left them in the bottom three on just seven points.

Now they host the Hammers, with pressure building on Silva just 17 months into his Goodison Park reign.

The Toffees put their faith in Silva and director of football Marcel Brands to revolutionise the club and turn them into contenders for European places.

But Cottee – a British record signing when Everton paid West Ham £2.2million for him in 1988 – admits the demands of modern football may not give Silva the time he needs.

“Everton really pushed the boat to get him,” said the ex-blues hitman, who spent six years at Goodison.

“They identified him as the man they wanted to shape the club over the next four or five years because that is really how long it takes a manager to build a football club.

“But we are in the modern world and you don’t get four or five years.

“Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you get four or five months and, whatever way you look at it, Marco Silva needs to start getting results.

“If they lose at home to West Ham at the weekend, there will be some serious questions asked.”

Silva has been backed with around £200m over the last three transfer windows, but while there have been glimpses of real quality from his side, they lack consistency.

And he has been hit by more problems after learning £25m summer signing Jean-philippe Gbamin is out until January, following surgery on a thigh injury.

The Portuguese boss is also without former Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes after he suffered a rib injury before the international break.

Everton need to get back to winning ways and, with 30 games to go, Cottee (right, in his Everton and West Ham days) is still hopeful they can get where they want to be – the top six.

“Silva won’t be judged on what a nice guy he is, or what a good coach he is or how entertaining the football is – he will be judged on results and that is the key thing,” added Cottee.

“I’m still optimistic and I think they can turn things around.

“I’m a West Ham fan, but if they’re are going to lose anyone, I can’t think of anyone better to lose to.”

GOALDEN Nketiah is yet to start a league game