Ronald Koeman: 'Change of mentality required at Everton'

For some reason Ronald Koeman applauds after the Premier League game between Liverpool and Everton on April 1, 2017
© SilverHub
Everton boss Ronald Koeman urges his players to 'change their mentality' following on from last weekend's disappointing goalless draw against West Ham United.

Ronald Koeman has admitted that motivating his players has become an issue of late, but is adamant that Everton still have plenty to play for.

The Toffees were held to a goalless draw against West Ham United last weekend to effectively kill off their chances of finishing fifth, leaving them six points off Manchester United after playing a game more.

Koeman believes that finishing above Arsenal in sixth is an achievable target, however, with his side still to travel to North London on the final day, and ahead of this weekend's meeting with Chelsea the Dutchman has challenged himself to get the best out of his group.

"Maybe we need to change our mentality because I felt a little bit less intensity, maybe less motivation [against West Ham]," he told reporters. "It's always difficult if you have the end of the season feeling. That's what I don't like.

"It is on the manager to get the motivation out of his side. That is my challenge. If we keep the distance between us and Arsenal to three points or less, then the last game of the season is Arsenal away. If not, then you have to find other ways to motivate.

"We had only one game this season that we had no chance, and that was the Chelsea away game, from the start until the end. No chance to get even one point from the game. Now we can show that the team is improving and much better and give more in every aspect of football."

As well as taking on Chelsea and Arsenal in the final four weeks of the season, Everton also face Swansea City and Watford.

Everton striker Romelu Lukaku celebrates with manager Ronald Koeman after scoring the opening goal in his side's 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on September 30, 2016
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Chelsea34263572294381
2Tottenham HotspurSpurs34238371224977
3Liverpool35209671422969
4Manchester CityMan City34199665372866
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd341714351252665
6Arsenal33186964422260
7Everton351610960402058
8West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom34128143943-444
9Southampton33118143944-541
10Bournemouth35118165063-1341
11Leicester CityLeicester34117164254-1240
12Stoke CityStoke351010153750-1340
13Watford34117163755-1840
14Burnley35116183549-1439
15West Ham UnitedWest Ham35109164459-1539
16Crystal Palace35115194656-1038
17Hull City3597193667-3134
18Swansea CitySwansea3595214069-2932
19Middlesbrough35513172645-1928
RSunderland3456232660-3421