Growing on struggling Toffees
have that fire and belief inside you it can take you a long way and it’s what Everton need right now.”
After Royle tagged his trio of Horne, Joe Parkinson and John Ebbrell ‘Dogs of War’ he came to regret it with critics seizing on the perception that Everton were a bunch of kickers who could not play.
Horne added: “Joe will tell you although he coined that phrase he thought it was detrimental because he believed we were better than that term suggested.
“But we never minded – we loved it. It didn’t harm us when we went into matches and sometimes we’d get comments from opposition lads because we had this reputation.
“People would l evel t he accusation that we couldn’t play. But we knew we could.
“And if any player reacted we knew we had got them.
“The most important thing was we were aware of it and we believed we could beat anyone.”
That belief is lacking from a current Everton team who appear to be in freefall with caretaker boss David Unsworth losing all three games since taking control after Ronald Koeman’s sacking.
Horne said: “It’s unbelievable for it to have unravelled like this after such a feel- good summer when I’ve never seen Evertonians so optimistic.
“I’ve heard people saying Everton aren’t equipped for a dog-fight, but if that’s the position they are in then it’s up to the manager to make sure they are.
“I’d love Unsworth to get the job, but the odds are drifting with each defeat they suffer.
“They have an ambitious owner tuned into brand and exposure so the big question is which way do they turn.
“Do they go for someone just to keep us up, for a big name or be really bold and go for someone a little less tried and trusted.
“Whichever way they go it’s going to be a big decision.” GOODISON PARK TODAY, KO 4.30PM