Tim Cahill has said that he finds it "difficult to watch" Everton these days as his former club no longer has a clear strategy.
The Toffees are 25 points adrift of the top four in a campaign that was supposed to see them challenge for a place in the Champions League.
Supporters have called for Sam Allardyce to quit following Saturday's 1-1 draw with Swansea City, in which the Merseyside outfit once again offered very little in an attacking sense.
Cahill believes that Everton's struggles go far deeper than just the manager, though, and claims that a clearer transfer policy is required.
"It's confusing, they are confused too, they have lost their identity as a club, there is nothing they are really building around," he told Sky Sports News. "Before there was a basis and a group of players that was built and we were adding to it and looking for the long term plan of how to evolve as a football club.
"Now it seems like they are just making signings and the chemistry is not there and on the pitch they are not linking well. It's difficult to watch because of the quality. You have to be careful what you wish for, if you want an owner with lots of money, they have that, but it doesn't always bring success overnight.
"The fans want some passion and identity. When you look back at Roberto Martinez for example, maybe it was impatient and waiting for that style, and under David Moyes maybe they thought it was getting stale, but now you can appreciate what they have lost."
Cahill, who made 278 appearances for Everton between 2004 and 2012, is now plying his trade for Millwall in the Championship.
Daniel Lewis
