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"I'm getting a bit worried" | Pat Nevin on Everton's downward spiral

Former Everton player Pat Nevin says that he is worried about the downward spiral the club find themselves in.



Former Everton player Pat Nevin says that he is worried about the downward spiral the club find themselves in.

The Toffees got their first win in nine games against Arsenal this evening, Demarai Gray scoring late into injury time to give his side a much-needed three points.

Richarlison - who scored Everton's first goal - had two goals disallowed at Goodison Park, and the sides were level going into the six minutes of injury time.

Gray, who had hit the crossbar with a similar shot earlier in the game, fired home from outside of the box to secure a much-needed win.

Despite the win, Everton find themselves in 12th in the Premier League table, just eight points above the relegation zone and have a difficult run of fixtures in the coming weeks.

The club also finds itself in a state of flux having parted ways with their director of football. 

Marcel Brands had been at the club since the summer of 2018 and was been involved in the club spending close to £300million during that period.

Despite the large sums spent on transfers, Everton have failed to compete in any meaningful way for silverware during his reign and with Everton struggling this season, Brands was relieved of his duties.

Nevin - who played for the club between 1988 and 1992 - blames the lack of continuity of decision makers at the club.

"The old-guard hasn't left", Nevin told Off The Ball. 

"Then you've got a man who's supposed to make decision beyond them in regards to bringing in players. Are you going to have a manager who just accepts that? It doesn't happen. Especially if you change your managers all the time."

"Rafa is infamous for wanting control. He's not the only one."

"So you can imagine if there's one relationship at the top of the club that is difficult - it is hell. Now you've got two owners, a manager, one guy on recruitment and you're thinking that all of those relationships have to work perfectly."

"It just needs one to break down."

While Nevin admits that Benetiz has been unlucky with the injury of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and points to his lack of expenditure in the summer, he also stresses the need to adjust to circumstances, which he says Benetiz has failed to do.

"I'm looking at that table at the moment - I'm getting a bit worried for Everton."

The Merseyside club parted ways with their director of football early on Monday and put their full faith in their new boss.

"Everton Football Club can confirm that Marcel Brands has left his post as Director of Football.",  a club statement read.

Brands joined Everton from PSV Eindhoven in June 2018 and was appointed to the Club’s Board in 2019.

The Owner and Directors would like to thank Marcel for the service he has given to the Club over the past three and a half years and wish him well for his future.

A strategic review of the football structure will now take place which will inform the best model for the Club to proceed with in the long-term.

In the meantime, the Owner and Board of Directors will continue to provide our manager, Rafa Benitez, with their full support."

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