Alan Stubbs reveals ‘serious concern’ about Everton and says David Moyes would steady the ship
Alan Stubbs has admitted he is seriously concerned about Everton’s form under Marco Silva and is ‘fearful’ ahead of the Merseyside derby on Wednesday night.
The Toffees have not won at Anfield in 20 years and they are being given little chance of a victory ahead of this evening's game, as the gap between the cross-town rivals is the widest it has been for decades.
Everton are currently 17th in the Premier League table, two points above the relegation zone, after winning just four of their opening 14 games.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are eight points clear at the summit after 13 wins and are yet to suffer a defeat in the league.
To make matters worse, what could turn out to be a nightmare at Anfield is only the start of a horror run of fixtures for the Toffees.
Silva’s struggling side face Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal in the league before the end of the year, plus Leicester City in the Carabao Cup, and they then play Man City on January 1.
And, speaking ahead of the derby, former Everton defender and coach Stubbs said he harbours a sliver a hope that the Toffees could get something from Anfield.
But he also admits what he has may be nothing more than blind hope.
“As an Everton fan I’m fearful for tonight, I really am,” Stubbs told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast. “I’ve got no confidence of them getting a result.
“But, I always live in hope and that’s what I’ll be going into tonight’s game with - I hope we can get a result.
“Nothing surprises you in football and, going to Anfield tonight, some people are looking at it as a really bad thing, but it could be the thing that starts Everton’s season.
“Our record at Anfield isn’t great - we haven’t won in 20 years - but there will always be a time when that does change and I hope it’s tonight.
“But, personally, I can’t see it.
“It’s been a real struggle for Everton and going to Anfield is as tough as it comes right now.
“I just think Liverpool are too strong at the moment and, I don’t want to say this, I think they’re already one foot over the line.”
With Silva’s job on the line over the next few weeks, there have already been plenty of names linked with replacing him.
But for Stubbs, there is only one man who could steady the ship at Goodison Park – former manager David Moyes.
He added: “They’ll be so many names linked with the job, like Eddie Howe, but the fans are not convinced about that; they’ll be some that like him and some that don’t.
“David Moyes will be the same, but I think David is a safe pair of hands.
“Everton are in a real precarious position right now.
“I hope it isn’t, but come the end of the December with our run of games now, we could still be looking at 14 points, which is real concern.”