“Roberto’s philosophy will come good again.”
The former Goodison Park midfielder and Northern Ireland manager Bryan Hamilton sympathises with their frustration at the team’s nosedive down the table, but he believes that the Spaniard is still the best man for the job.
“The supporters pay their money and wear the scarf so they’re entitled to be concerned,” says Hamilton. “But I don’t think there’s anyone better out there than Roberto. He’s an exciting coach who wants to play the traditional Everton way.
“I was absolutely delighted when he was appointed, and he did a remarkable job in his first season.
“With Roberto, Bill Kenwright, and now my old mate Joe Royle at the heart of the club, I’ve got no worries that Everton are in safe hands.
“Roberto is smart and the people around him are blue through and through.
“I was with Roberto at a coaching seminar where we both put on sessions, and I saw close up what a good coach he is. He’s said he won’t change his philosophy on the game, and nor should he. He has to keep doing what he believes in.
“I have to admit I’ve been a little surprised by results after the team played so well last season. I strongly suspect that the Europa League has taken its toll on the squad, particularly because they have a lot of players in their thirties.
“The additional games will not have helped them, even though sports science extends careers much longer these days. Many clubs have found that the competition is a real test of squad depth.
“There’s been a collective lack of self-belief, and games that would have been wins last season have become draws, and draws have become defeats.
“I don’t think any single player has done as well individually, either.
“Last season Seamus Coleman and Tim Howard were incredible. Romelu Lukaku and Steven Naismith were revelations.
“This time they’ve all just been OK. They’ve not become bad players, but they haven’t reached the levels and as a result the team as a whole hasn’t looked so polished.”
Hamilton’s most famous moment as an Everton player was scoring what would have been an FA Cup semi-final winner against Liverpool in 1977 that was incorrectly disallowed by referee, Clive Thomas.
He believes that Saturday’s Merseyside Derby has taken on even more importance than usual.
“You shouldn’t use the words ‘even more’ when you’re talking about the Derby,” he says.
“But it’s a fact that when neither of the two clubs are going for the title, beating the other becomes all the more vital.
“I don’t think Everton are far away from getting it right, and sometimes a big performance in a big game can be a turning point.
“If they produce one on Saturday, of course, it would ruin Steven Gerrard’s last Derby.
“He’s been a sensational player, a remarkable role model and a fantastic representative of the City of Liverpool. I take my hat off to him unreservedly.
“But it’s important for Everton to win this one and they’ll be looking to spoil the party.”
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