Duncan urges his Toffees to play like fans

DUNCAN FERGUSON will demand Everton players ‘run themselves into the ground’ when he takes caretaker charge of tomorrow’s game with Aston Villa.

The former Toffees striker says he has delivered some ‘home truths’ in the wake of Rafael Benitez’s sacking as manager, with the club just six points above the relegation zone.

‘The players have always worked hard but I am pushing them as hard as I possibly can, then they will feel great coming off the training pitch, as we all do when we put in a good day’s work,’ he said.

‘They are upbeat sessions, with hard work and clear and simple messages. I’m getting among the players and telling a few home truths because the past hasn’t been good enough.

‘But it is in the past. We move forwards, the game is coming and let’s get ready for it.’

Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney have been linked with the managerial vacancy but Ferguson – who was unbeaten in four games when he took caretaker charge after Marco Silva was dismissed in December 2019 – has been given a chance to stake his claim.

And he expects a reaction to last Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Norwich, Everton’s ninth in 12 Premier League games. ‘They should give everything,’ said Ferguson. ‘They should run themselves into the ground. They should roll up their sleeves and fight for the club in every single game.

‘If you asked a fan to put a shirt on and get on the pitch, what would they do? Well, they need to do that.

‘I have confidence in the players and the team and think they can win every game, and that will be no different on Saturday. ‘We have a lot of great players in there and they will step up, I am sure.’