Demarai Gray admits his team-mates are aware of the task facing them and believes a club the size of Everton shouldn’t be in the position it is. Everton’s Premier League woes continued on Saturday as they were beaten 2-1 by Southampton at Goodison Park. Despite taking the lead through Amadou Onana’s header a second-half double from James Ward-Prowse sealed a huge three points for Nathan Jones’ side. The defeat, which was Everton’s fifth in their last six league games, left them joint-bottom of the Premier League. Manager Frank Lampard has overseen just four wins in all competitions so far this season. Many supporters believe things are going to get a lot worse before they get any better with relegation now seen by many as a very real possibility. And speaking ahead of Saturday’s defeat, Gray admitted his side are fully aware they should be doing better.
Demarai Gray said: “We know the size of the task ahead of us this season, and we are only looking at that right now. Everton as a club shouldn’t be down there. But I am, and we are at the minute. I think if we can keep on the right path, we can be battling again at the right end of the table. These things take time; it’s not going to be at the click of our fingers. We have to regroup, rebuild and focus on the task at hand in terms of climbing the table. But for a club of this size, we know where we should be and it’s about getting back to that.”
Gray joined Everton during the 2021 summer transfer window from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee of €2m (£1.7m). The winger signed a three-year deal with the Blues – who have the option to extend it by a further 12 months – after they met a release clause in his Leverkusen contract. Speaking upon his arrival at the club, the former Leicester City man revealed Rafa Benitez was a key reason for his decision to move to Goodison Park. However, the Spaniard was sacked just six months later. But despite the departure of Benitez, Gray has still impressed at Goodison, and even though he admits he has been through a number of ‘tough times’ since his arrival, he still believes Everton is the perfect club for him.
Demarai Gray said: “We have had tough times since I have been here, but I don’t regret coming one bit. The club has been good for me, and to me. I fit in the environment, and I feel like I have developed as a player . I know consistency has let me down over the years, but I am in a place now where I believe I am always capable of helping the team, and that’s what is important.”
