Everton heading for relegation fight, warns Toffees great

Posted Tuesday, February 24, 2015 by Talksport.co.uk

Andy Gray fears Everton are going to be drawn into a relegation battle this season.

The Toffees drew their fourth Premier League home game in a row on Sunday, with only a last-gasp equaliser preventing defeat against bottom club Leicester.

They are now just six points above the relegation zone and, with trips to Arsenal and Stoke to come, Gray believes Roberto Martinez will be anxiously looking over his shoulder.

Speaking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, the former Everton star said: "They have only won three at home this season."

"They need to start winning games somewhere and I don't see where that is."

"It is two tough, tough games [coming up]. Maybe they will play better away from Goodison, the pressure might be a little less."

"They might enjoy Arsenal, they will let them play, but Stoke is never an easy place when you need to go and get a result, and they do."

"I said about a month ago I don't include Everton in the relegation candidates but if the results keep going like this, they are going to be drawn in."

And Gray believes Martinez may have to axe Tim Howard if Everton are to turn things around.

The American goalkeeper has struggled since returning from injury to take his place from Joel Robles earlier this month, and was at fault for both of Leicester’s goals on Sunday.

"He has had that kind of season, Tim. He has not been his usual assured self." added Gray.

"You need a goalkeeper with authority, who is assured, whose mind is clear and focused on the job, because any mistake you make as a goalkeeper is punished fully. Leicester did that with a couple of errors he made."

"It may be something that Roberto has to look at. I know Robles played half a dozen games earlier this season in the league when Tim was out injured and it might be for his own sake, as much as Everton's, that Tim drops out of the firing line and Robles is brought in to finish the season."