Dwight McNeil acknowledged Everton’s attacking confidence is low and costing the side right now, but stated the group must stick together as they prepare for the final 10 games of the campaign.
The Blues suffered more frustration yet again on Saturday away to Manchester United, registering 23 shots on goal but failing to score in the 2-0 loss - you’d have to go back to March 2010 for the last time Everton had so many shots in a Premier League game without scoring.
“Confidence is low in the final part [of the pitch],” admitted McNeil, reflecting on Saturday’s disappointment. “We had a lot of chances but didn’t score a goal. We get a lot of chances but we just aren’t getting the final bit right - scoring goals. That’s hurting us at the minute and we aren’t picking points up because we can’t find the back of the net.
“We try and work on it every day. We getting there in the games, those final moments, I had a few chances and should have scored definitely one I think. I put a lot of pressure on myself but we had other chances and we didn’t take them and we got punished.”
The boss gives his reaction to #MUNEVE: pic.twitter.com/wik6JoUUXW
— Everton (@Everton) March 9, 2024
There’s now a three-week break until Everton travel to Bournemouth on 30 March, 3pm kick-off (GMT). During this extended period, the Blues are set to complete a warm-weather training camp as Sean Dyche aims to keep up the intensity in the squad.
McNeil believes this is a pivotal period for the group to reset, recharge and gear up for a pivotal remainder of the campaign, stating: “We have three weeks until we play again. We have to evaluate as a team, the main thing is we need to all stay together and keep believing because we are in that position again like last season.
“But we have experience in the group, we just have to try and score goals. That’s a big thing, but more importantly, win games. We need to make sure we do that after the international break.
“We are going to rest, reflect and make sure we are ready when we come back because it’s a massive run-in - every game is going to be massive. We have to be ready to score goals and win games.”
