MARCO HAS NO MAGIC WAND TO WAVE AT GOODISON

MARCO SILVA has insisted that he is “not a magician” who can create a Champions League side at Everton in one season.

The Blues boss was responding to what appeared to be pointed criticism from Farhad Moshiri at the club’s AGM this week, when the owner said that 11th in the Premier League “is just not good enough”.

That appeared to pile pressure on the manager – who was only appointed in the summer – from someone who has already sacked three bosses in less than three years at Goodison.

But Silva (right) is relaxed, saying if that is pressure then he welcomes it... as he looks to deliver stability.

He said: “It is not something to do in six months as that would not make sense. I did not come here to be a magician. I am a manager and when I came in we had many, many things to change for the future.

“I am sure, step by step, and by doing the right things, we will achieve that.”

Silva added that had Everton won their last game – a lame home defeat by Leicester – then they would be seventh in the table, and he believes “no one would be saying a word about our position”.

But he accepts that Moshiri is ambitious, and as he prepared for the visit of Bournemouth tomorrow, he said he too shares the same lofty aspirations. “It does not put extra pressure on me,” he said of the owner’s comments. “If you take it out of context then you can read it the wrong way.

“I met him and gave my opinion for the second half of the season: it is clear we want to do better. I want more, our players want more also.

“I will tell you what pressure means for me. Pressure in football, when you are working here every day and you demand from yourself and your players, is normal.

“I spoke with our owner after he told our fans in the meeting what he wanted. It’s a normal thing, it doesn’t put any more pressure on us.

“Our players know what our aim is for the second half of the season. We all want the same thing.”