Eight games deep and sitting in 10th position of the Women’s Super League, Everton Women have struggled to ignite their 25/26 campaign, with only one victory and two draws to date.
Feeling like déjà vu, the Blues earned their first three points of the campaign against their Merseyside rivals Liverpool. Yet, unlike last year, they’ve been unable to maintain that momentum in the following fixtures and have since grappled to pick up points – despite such a promising end to last season.
It’s difficult to pinpoint the root of the team’s troubles, especially when everything looked so promising on paper at the start of the season.
Summer recruitment was the strongest it’s been in years, with major investment from the owners finally materialising – including a new permanent home at Goodison Park, where the team could aim to deliver inspiring performances in front of bigger crowds.
Meanwhile, attracting and retaining players like Martina Fernández, Ruby Mace, and Katie Robinson helped soften the blow of losing key playmaker Sarah Holmgaard.
Yet, while performances haven’t been completely disastrous, it’s clear something just isn’t clicking.
Against top sides and tougher opposition, like their most recent contest against Manchester City, Everton often rise to the occasion. Their spirted display in the 2-1 defeat showed glimpses of real quality, the kind that should translate into victories against teams they’re expected to beat.
The connection between forwards Toni Payne and Kelly Gago, which produced the Toffees’ equalising goal, was a clear example of that potential. However Bunny Shaw soon reclaimed City’s advantage, denying the Blues any points on an afternoon where their performance arguably deserved more.
But when those more winnable fixtures come around, the structure and cohesion they find against the league’s elite seems to fade.
Last month’s 1-1 League Cup performance against WSL 2 side Nottingham Forest was a stark reminder of that, with the Blues struggling to find any rhythm and assert dominance over a team from the division below.
The lack of togetherness was worryingly evident, as organisation seemed to go completely out the window. Even experienced players like Clare Wheeler appeared out of position and uncertain of her role – a clear reflection of the disjointed performance on the night.
Everton Women supporter, Chloe Reynolds said: “We really should have won it, we have the pace, we have the players, we had everything we needed but something just wasn’t working.
“What threw me was the team’s shape was completely off. Maz Pachecho was switching sides constantly with Rion Ishikawa, Katie Robinson went from left wing to right back to striker and the players seemed unsure of their responsibilities on the pitch.”
It all feels eerily similar to the start of last season, when Everton were unable to register a victory until matchday eight, against Liverpool. That derby win sparked a resurgence, inspiring better performances and steadier form that eventually steered the Blues away from relegation fears.
Now, it feels as though they’re slowly drifting back towards that same danger, and if they’re to spark another turnaround, perhaps they need the same kind of catalyst as last year.
But they can’t afford to wait for Liverpool to come around again. With the next Merseyside derby not until March, Everton can’t rely on history repeating itself.
The urgency to turn things around has to start now, and this weekend’s clash with bottom-placed West Ham feels like the perfect opportunity. If they can’t find a way to reignite their season against the league’s strugglers, the pressure will only continue to mount.
