For much of the season, fans have tried to work out what sort of team Everton are. The Toffees are not a passing, pressing or high-energy team. They are not a team that grinds out wins or a long ball team.
In fact, the team’s complete lack of identity has been a major problem. On Monday, the Merseysiders dispensed with the services of Dutch boss Ronald Koeman. It was an almost inevitable decision by the clubs hierarchy, as morale at the club hit rock bottom on Sunday when the Toffees suffered a 5-2 home defeat by Arsenal.
Everton have placed under-23 boss David Unsworth in temporary charge, while the club looks for a permanent boss. The former Toffees centre-back won the Premier League 2 last season and has made it clear that he would like the job on a permanent basis.
Unsworth is a popular figure at the club and his feelings for the Merseyside club are very clear. Everton fans felt like Koeman did not care about the club, which in a fans eye is unforgivable when the team is struggling.
Everton in the last two decades may not have won many trophies, but for much of the last decade, they have been a hard team to beat. Goodison Park was a difficult ground to visit for most sides, as the fans made the atmosphere ferocious.
That fierce atmosphere helped the team produce passionate and wholehearted performances. Even when the Toffees did not the most technically gifted players, they at least gave their all. That sort of atmosphere has been missing this season. Unsworth’s appointment should bring back that passion.
The Chorley-born boss was a wholehearted player during his career and the fans will be fully behind the man nicknamed ‘Rhino’.
Unsworth is one of the favourites to be given the Everton managers job on a permanent basis. He has the perfect opportunity to audition for the job in caretaker charge, starting with tonight’s League Cup game at Chelsea.