Tony Cascarino has heaped huge criticism on Everton central defensive pairing Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka for their performance against Leicester City on the weekend.
The Toffees suffered a 2-0 defeat at the King Power Stadium on Sunday afternoon with Jamie Vardy and Demarai Gray supplying the goals for the Foxes.
The pace of Leicester’s attacking trio of Vardy, Gray and Rihad Mahrez caused problems for Everton’s defence especially in the first-half and both Jagielka and Williams struggled to keep up.
The Toffees have only managed to achieve one clean sheet in ten Premier League matches this season with the both centre-backs at the heart of the Everton’s backline.
The result means that the Merseyside club remain in the relegation zone with only two league victories to their name this season.
Writing in his column for the Times, Cascarino believes that Everton should not play the veteran defenders as a pairing because they will continue to cope with speedy attackers from the opposition.
“Before they can turn their form around, Everton need to sort their central defenders,” he wrote.
“Phil Jagielka and Ashley Williams cannot work as a pairing — they are both experienced but also at the end of their careers and susceptible to pace and one-on-one situations.
“Playing against the pace of Jamie Vardy and Demarai Gray was the toughest test they could have had.
“Michael Keane, who was out injured, is a young talent but also looks to struggle against pace.
“These days you need some speed at the back.
“Keane needs a new partner because until Everton sort their defence, they will struggle.”
OPINION
Cascarino is completely spot on with his assessment of the Jagielka and Williams. Everton have received criticism for their lack of pace in the final third but they are losing points due to their inability to defend well and keep clean sheets. Summer signing Keane has not lived up to expectations but his fellow teammates have not given him the right amount of protection during his debut campaign at Goodison Park. With the two enduring such a difficult start to the season, whoever is in charge must start thinking of giving the youngsters a chance in the first-team until they can attempt to repair the damage during the January transfer window.