WE CAN’T KEEP ON WITH AVERAGE JOES

EVERTON legend Andy Gray reckons average recruitment is the root cause of their struggles this season, not manager Marco Silva.

The Portuguese boss has been under pressure since the campaign started and, while recent results have eased it slightly, a poor performance against Tottenham today will pile it back on, with

Everton hovering ominously above the drop zone.

But Gray believes the finger of blame needs to be pointed at those responsible for buying and selling.

That would include director of football Marcel Brands (left) and majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri.

Gray said: “The last few results have eased the pressure on Silva. He has bought himself some time and I don’t want to see the club changing manager every two years or 18 months, that’s not what we should be doing at Everton.

“So if he can galvanise everybody and everyone is behind him, and the players are happy with him – and from what I hear from people within they are – then I know it’s not going to get him the sack.

“Not unless they really, really look like they are in trouble and at risk of getting relegated. I don’t think that’s going to happen, there are far too many good players in that team.

“So my major problem with Everton – and it has been for the last three or four years – is that, if you look at Liverpool and where they are, and ask why they are there – and yes, Jurgen Klopp is part of that – it’s because their recruitment has been excellent.

“Everton’s has been absolutely average.”