Rafa tells Everton staff to improve

RAFA BENITEZ has called for improvement from everyone at Everton after a frustrating week that left him without two key men. Benitez added a new fitness and rehab coach to his staff this week in Cristian Fernandez, a Spaniard he worked with at Newcastle. As the season goes on, he will likely look to make more appointments as he puts his stamp on the club. On Tuesday, Benitez learned that Abdoulaye Doucoure had suffered a stress fracture that will sideline him for at least four weeks. The next day,

Dominic Calvert-Lewin had a setback with a thigh issue that will rule him out for a similar period. During his opening three months at Goodison Park, Benitez has been asking people at the club why Everton have failed to progress under Farhad Moshiri and he is now ready to accelerate the changes he believes will move Everton forward. ‘I want to be sure every player understands what it means to play for this club and gives everything,’ said Benitez, whose side face Watford today. ‘They are doing that but it has to be the same in each department. ‘When you see the money spent, the club has to be in a much better position. How can we win? By improving five per cent or 10 per cent in every department. ‘The fans, the club, the owners who have spent a lot of money, they are desperate to be competitive,’ added Benitez. ‘I said that eighth means nothing to me and I really mean that. I don’t want to stay here and try to survive.’