Everton's dramatic 3-2 win at home to Watford on Sunday was badly-needed for all at Goodison Park, but it does not fully erase all of the problems besetting those at the club. Chief among that is discontent among the players, with Kevin Mirallas and Morgan Schneiderlin omitted from the Watford game as a result of an argument at Everton's Finch Farm training base.
Mirallas and Schneiderlin were reportedly criticised by Duncan Ferguson at training last week, and were told to leave if they were not going to take the whole thing more seriously. Both decided to do exactly that, with David Unsworth electing to drop them from the Watford squad and send them home.
In light of these stories appearing in the media, Mirallas posted a photo on Instagram with somewhat of an apology:
I have to restore the truth after some articles in the media. I was not excluded of the squad due to a lack of commitment during training this was a manager Decision And I was frustrated as I am fully committed in Everton since arriving in 2012 and I can’t accept our actual ranking....I apologize to the president and owner, my team mates and the manager for not being able to cope at that moment with my frustration.
As to who will take the job on a permanent basis ahead of Unsworth, it is unclear. Media reports today claimed that Diego Simeone is the preferred candidate, even if that means his being appointed at the end of this season. That's quite ambitious, with further reports this evening claiming that Marco Silva is courted by the club. Again, that may not happen until the end of the season, heightening the appeal of Sam Allardyce on a temporary basis.
