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Time running out for Silva, next appointment must be right

Everton's majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri is believed to be willing to give Silva time to turn things around, although another poor performance against the Hammers could cause a rethink.

Everton return to Premier League action after the international break with a hugely important home fixture against West Ham United.

Four successive defeats have sent the Toffees spiralling down the table and cranked up the pressure on manager Marco Silva.

Everton's majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri is believed to be willing to give Silva time to turn things around, although another poor performance against the Hammers could cause a rethink.

Worryingly, West Ham won the corresponding fixture last season so it's far from certain that Silva well get the result he needs. Read on as we look at the latest state of play at Goodison Park.

Time running out for Silva

Silva said that the West Ham fixture was a ‘must-win' game after overseeing a wretched start to the new season.

Things appeared to be on the up-and-up after the 3-2 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, but the last few weeks have been desperately poor.

Everton will be one of the most popular football tips to arrest their slide against the Hammers, although they would do well not to underestimate the threat posed by the visitors.

Time isn't on Silva's side right now and failing to beat West Ham could well spend the end of his time as manager.

What's gone wrong?

As opposed to asking what's gone wrong, it would probably be fairer to suggest that things have never been right under Silva.

He appears incapable of setting up teams to defend set pieces, a problem that was plain to see during his time in charge of both Hull City and Watford.

Many of the club's midfield players have failed to perform to the levels they are capable of, while Everton lack a cutting edge up front.

Silva has increasingly looked out of his depth, particularly away from home, and a parting of the ways is beginning to look inevitable.

Time for Everton to be bold

With Silva under the cosh there has already been plenty of speculation about who would replace him if he was axed.

Former Everton boss David Moyes is the current favourite, but his appointment would be a huge backwards step given what he's done since leaving the club.

Rafa Benitez, Jose Mourinho and Eddie are other names in the frame, although whether any of them could be enticed to Goodison Park is debatable.

Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was linked with the club before Silva was appointed and he appeals as the most sensible choice to turn Everton's fortunes around.

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