Why it's time for Everton's players to stand up and prove their worth

By David Anderson

Published 12:17 07/11/11

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It would be easy after Everton's defeat to Newcastle to blame it on the referee's failure to spot Dan Gosling's handball. 

Had Andre Marriner seen Louis Saha's shot hit Gosling's arm, Everton might have equalised from the penalty spot and life would not be looking as grim as it does now. 

But I think blaming Marriner misses the point about Everton's disappointing performance. 

They created more than enough chances to take at least a point from the game, but spurned most of them. 

Their passing was not good enough, while let's not talk about their defending after John Heitinga's farcical own goal.

Everton have lost five of their last six league games to slide to 17th in the table - just one point above the drop zone and I hope they aren't feeling sorry for themselves. 

I remember once speaking to a player at Newcastle some years ago when they were going through some trial or tribulation and asked him candidly if it was affecting the players. 

He replied: "No, but it gives them an excuse." 

I just hope Everton aren't falling into the same trap. 

Yes, everything appears to be against them at the minute. 

They lost Mikel Arteta on deadline day, they have no money to buy any one and are still short of firepower up front.

The fixtures have also been unkind to them and those last five league defeats have been against in-form Newcastle, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City. 

They are better than this and I'm sure David Moyes will be making this point to his players. 

They still have quality performers, like Tim Howard, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines, Marouane Fellaini, Phil Neville, Jack Rodwell and Tim Cahill, not forgetting the vast potential of Ross Barkley, and it's time for those experienced hands to deliver. 

I know Cahill has had injury problems, but it's shocking that someone so prolific hasn't scored a league goal for Everton in 2011. 

Fellaini is regarded as one of the best midfielders in the league and it's time the Belgian showed why Everton are fighting so hard to keep him. 

Similarily, Jagielka is usually the model of reliability and consistency and he can do better. 

Rodwell's first senior call-up should boost him, although he has responded well to his derby red card and scored a good header at Newcastle. 

Everton are still a top-10 side and it's up to their players to prove it. 

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