When a manager accuses his players of hiding, you know the writing is on the wall.

I was shocked when I heard Marco Silva say that about his Everton team after defeat by Sheffield United… and at ­Goodison Park, too.

It’s almost unthinkable.

It’s always been a tough ground to visit and, for me, one of the most hostile ­atmospheres I’ve experienced – though I like to think I thrived on it!

No team enjoys going there ­because they know they’re in for a tough time. Even if they don’t have the best team, you still always know Everton would be up for it on their own ground.

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Even when they didn’t play much football, there was always fight. A real scrap.

That is the minimum the fans demand and deserve.

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I know all about Everton’s ­history, I know what that club means… and no team there should ever be accused of hiding.

That was a couple of months ago and I knew then Silva was in trouble. You know I have a ­fundamental belief in backing managers and giving them time.

But there’s always a harsh ­reality too.

And, in Silva’s case, it was ­results. Eight defeats in the last 11 games just wasn’t good enough.

­Relegation zone wasn’t good enough and, with the fixtures they have coming up, there was a real danger they’d be rock-bottom in the New Year.

It’s a results business.

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I think being in the bottom three really killed his chances ­– because there is no comeback for that ­really.

With the run they’d been ­having, the ­confidence looked so drained – but that was before ­­inspirational Duncan ­Ferguson took over the reins!

The team needed a lift at a huge time – and Big Dunc gave them just that.

I doubt there’s a single ­Everton fan who was mourning Silva’s ­departure. And even fewer after that 3-1 victory at Goodison yesterday!

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But I’d argue passionately that Silva had not had any help from upstairs – and that has to change if Everton are to move forward now. It’s clear Silva didn’t have much input in signings, and the director of football, Marcel Brands, made all the decisions.

Silva kept quiet and accepted what he’d been dealt – even though it wasn’t a full hand.

There was no centre-half when he desperately needed one and no goalscorer when, again, it was obvious that one was required.

I look at all those offensive players Brands brought in since he arrived and I think they’ve scored five goals in a year ­between them.

Not good enough.

Yet it was the manager who took ALL the blame.

The club must look at the ­bigger ­picture and ­accept that the recruitment hasn’t been good enough and ask ­questions about who is taking ­responsibility for that. They have to get the next ­appointment right.

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Four ­managers in four years is not on. Look at Watford and the mess they’re in with a similar policy.

So the time has come to find the right man, place your faith in him and, crucially, give him not only time, but the ­backing to bring his OWN players in, ones who fit his ­system.

I find it troubling that a ­manager can be sacked because players he didn’t want didn’t ­perform. I think Everton fans must question that – and ­question the direction of the club.

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If the board have any sense, they’ll question it too.

Because the immediate future of the club hangs on the next ­appointment – and they have to get it right.