MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 03:52:36| >> :120:23516:23516:

Andy Gray: 'Everton are too soft'

Former Everton striker Andy Gray warns manager Roberto Martinez that he must change his strategy if he is to turn the club's fortunes around.

Former Everton striker Andy Gray has warned manager Roberto Martinez that he must rethink his strategy to turn the club's fortunes around.

The Toffees currently sit 12th in the Premier League table following Sunday's 3-2 reversal at the hands of Newcastle United, which was their fourth defeat in five league outings.

Gray feels that the Merseysiders, who have shipped 31 goals in just 19 games, need to find the defensive steel that was evident under the management of Martinez's predecessor David Moyes.

"I'm a little concerned, if I'm honest," Gray told talkSPORT. "Roberto is maybe trying to soften Everton a little too much. The stats don't lie, and Everton's defending is nowhere near as good as it used to be.

"The one thing I remember under David Moyes was Everton were one of the toughest teams to play against in the Premier League. They were extremely tough to break down, they were extremely well organised, and they just seem less so to me now.

"A little bit too much football for me, a little bit too soft for me, and I think that has been reflected in results. I am concerned. Roberto needs to rethink his strategy because without a doubt there are problems."

Everton travel to Hull City on January 1.

ID:196074: cacheID:196074:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2370:
Written by
Steven Toplis
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Roberto Martinez the manager of Everton looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Everton at Stadium of Light on April 12, 2014
Read Next:
Martinez angered by Cisse elbow
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City158342721627
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Fulham166642422224
10Brentford157263128323
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton153661421-715
16Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!