James Tarkowski makes admission on major Everton failure as Dyche seeks answers
James Tarkowski admitted it is the ‘million dollar question’ on how Everton can give their misfiring forwards confidence.
But if they don’t start finding the net then it will cost the Toffees a fortune should they go down.
Beto may have scored his first league goal since early December but the Toffees went down 3-1 to West Ham. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came off the bench but extended his dry spell to 21 games while Sean Dyche’s side have only scored more than once in a game since they beat Burnley on December 16.
This was another game in which they squandered chances to win it including a missed penalty from Beto. Everton defender Tarkowski was asked how they can solve their goal crisis and said: “That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it?
“Practice, practice, practice. And I think once two or three come, then a few more do. We had it at times last year. It is going to have to happen at some point because we can’t keep saying we played well and don’t win football matches.
Chelsea complete record-breaking Enzo Fernandez transfer after deadline day rush“We need to put the ball in the back of the net; let's see what the next game brings.”
Everton remained five points clear of the drop zone after a week they got four points back from their 10-point deduction for breaching financial rules.
Tarkowski added: “We have cleared that up, and let's concentrate on the football and try and win some football matches.”
Tarkowski's words come after a frustrated Dyche told his players it is time they started taking responsibility for the chances they are missing in front of goal.
Problems up front have been an issue all season, with only the bottom two sides, Burnley and Sheffield United, having scored fewer than the Toffees’ 29.
“I am looking at the talent we have got and looking at the quality we have got and how we are not scoring more goals is just bizarre,” he said after a 10th game without victory. “I can talk about the xG, I can talk about the quality, I can talk about everything but I’ve never been naive in football and you have to go and do it.
“I’ve just said to the players we have a responsibility collectively to actively go and take the chances we are creating and that is everyone. It is hard to correct it when it is there, right in front of your eyes. What more can we do?
“But the players have a responsibility at this football club as well as the manager and staff and we know it is a joint responsibility.”
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