Seamus Coleman has delivered a message to his Everton teammates after the 2-0 loss against Fulham on Sunday.
Ahead of the challenge of facing table-toppers Manchester City tomorrow night, Coleman used his programme notes to address the performance against the Cottagers.
He made no bones about admitting Everton have to improve hugely from that performance where they were comprehensively outplayed.
And they now face City, who are on a record-breaking winning run, without talismanic striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
“We have to be much, much better [on Wednesday night] than we were on Sunday against Fulham to have any chance of getting a result.
“We just weren’t at the races in that game and we got what we deserved – nothing.
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“You have to fight for everything you get in this league and you have to expect a tough game every time you cross the white line. We didn’t reach the standard required, simple as that.
“Sunday night was frustrating and I can assure you that the dressing room was not a pleasant place to be after the final whistle. We knew we had let ourselves down and there is a determination to put that right.”
It’s a daunting task facing Everton in midweek and they have to improve their dismal recent home record.
They have proved themselves adept at stifling elite sides at times this season.
But the Toffees have also let in nine goals in their last three matches in all competitions.
That’s not a good sign ahead of facing a rampant City side but one plus is they will be without red-hot midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.
Nigel Martyn speaking to Everton News: Archive