Everton boss Marco Silva has labelled Saturday’s Premier League clash with West Ham a ‘must-win game’ amid rumours he is nearing the sack.
The Toffees’ most recent loss – 1-0 away at Burnley – was their fourth in a row and they headed into the international break in the relegation zone having won just seven points from eight games.
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Everton’s two league wins have both come at Goodison Park, claiming a 1-0 defeat of bottom of the league and Silva’s former club Watford, and a 3-2 victory over Wolves.
Silva said of Saturday’s clash: “When I say to you it is a must-win game, it is a must-win game, we should win that game, we must win that game to get the three points and get a better position on the table and grow our confidence.
“It’s important for the fans to keep the faith.
“Of course they want more and they deserve more. Our players are sticking together.”
Silva currently has a worse points-per-game tally than former Everton coaches David Moyes, Ronald Koeman and Sam Allardyce, and the poor start to the season isn’t the first time questions have been raised over his future on Merseyside.
After enduring a horrid run of form at the beginning of the year rumours were circulating that the Portuguese would be relieved of his duties.
Ultimately Everton turned it around and finished the 2018/19 season strongly.
However, they have spent over £100million on several new recruits since then and the pressure on Silva is at an all-time high.
Nonetheless, the former Watford boss has received the backing of the Everton board.
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- Cardiff vs Sheffield Wednesday (Friday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Everton vs West Ham (Saturday, 12:30pm) – talkSPORT
- Blackburn vs Huddersfield (Saturday, 12:30pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Tottenham vs Watford (Saturday, 3pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Crystal Palace vs Man City (Saturday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT
- Wigan vs Nottingham Forest (Sunday, 2pm) – talkSPORT 2
Everton will be hoping to get points on the board starting against West Ham on Saturday at 12:30pm – and talkSPORT will bring you full LIVE commentary of the match as part of GameDay!
Recent head-to-head history between the two sides is even with both clubs winning three of the last eight, but Silva will want a repeat of his last encounter with the Hammers as his side left the London Stadium with three points in March.
After playing West Ham, Everton face Brighton, Spurs, Southampton and Norwich before they enter a torrid December where they come up against Leicester, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal in back-to-back games during a hectic run-up to Christmas.
The Toffees then start 2020 with an away trip to the Etihad to face reigning champions Manchester City on New Year’s Day.
Saturday is GameDay on talkSPORT as we bring you THREE live Premier League commentaries across our network, including Everton vs West Ham at 12:30pm