Everton boss Marco Silva has charged Alex Iwobi and the rest of his new signings to help the Toffees become more clinical and ruthless at both ends of the pitch as Everton head to Burnley for a crunch Premier League face-off.
Nigeria international Alex Iwobi joined from Arsenal to headline the six outfield players Silva injected into his squad over the summer but their impact has not yet translated into results as Marco Silva’s men have only claimed seven points from their opening seven Premier League games this season.
Everton were impressive against Manchester City last time out but eventually lost 3-1 to the champions after conceding two late goals but the Everton gaffer is convinced he can get his squad to start picking up points home or away.
“One of the things you have to do as a manager is convince your players: ‘That [manager’s style] is the way to be closer to win football matches and develop you as a player’,” Silva told evertontv as monitored by Soccernet.ng.
“We proved last season what we were able to do with a lot of the players, how we developed almost all of them to a different level.
“We took our time, it was not so easy in the beginning, but after we settled, things went the right way.
“Players come in, some settle fast and others need more time.
“We have a clear plan, a clear model for them, and I think they enjoy it.
“We changed some things again this summer and it is up to us to put all of the players in the right way as soon as possible, to settle everything.
“We always need results to help and for the players to feel more confident in what we are doing – because sometimes we have that risk in the way we want to play.
“They understand and are happy with the situation. It is just for us now to win football games to gain more confidence.
“We have a philosophy and model.
“In some games we’ll change something specific because of our opponent.
“But our players know we won’t change our way and what we want to do.
“The desire, the commitment, the attitude have to be the same.
“Burnley has to be the same as City [in terms of mental attitude], even if we know everything is different about the way they play and we are not at home.
“We have to be able to create the chances we did in the last game.
“The main things to get good results are to be clinical and solid and ruthless in both boxes.
“After the 100 per cent commitment, attitude and desire to win the football match, comes the quality and full focus we always need.
“That is something we have missed in some important moments this season. We should have it every time because sometimes opponents are scoring or creating from nowhere.
“We need that focus… and quality when we have the ball, to win games.
“Our desire is always to get the three points, whoever we are playing,” added Silva.
“The next game has to be the same in what is always a tough place to play football.
“We are able to go there to compete and take the three points, respecting Burnley and what they can do, but having confidence in ourselves and what we can do.”
Everton face a Burnley side who are unbeaten in their past three Premier League games.
