This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers.

Former Everton man Michael Ball has identified the club's main issue as their inability to produce quality in the final third.

What did he say?

Everton have struggled both defensively and in attack this season, forcing them into an early relegation scrap as a result. The club's 11 goals from 11 games in the Premier League currently puts them in 17th and has heaped immense pressure on the players and Marco Silva.

Ball told the Liverpool Echo: "We just need more quality in the final third, that's what's been letting us down when sometimes it seems like we run out of ideas a little bit.

"We're okay at passing around the back and in midfield but if we can get it right more often in that final third, it can help get us back up that league table."

Lack of quality and consistency

Som Everton players have proven to be a handful in previous seasons. The likes of Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson scored 13 league goals last season, whilst Alex Iwobi's six assists with Arsenal last year prove he can be creative.

However, this season, Iwobi has not assisted at all and Richalison and Sigurdsson have just three league goals between them.

Part of this is also down to Marco Silva, who has constantly chopped and changed his side. The former Watford boss has often gone with Richarlison up top but then tried the Brazilian out on the wings as well.

Then there is Moise Kean, who Silva doesn't seem to understand whatsoever. The Italian scored seven goals from a centre-forward position with Juventus last season, but Silva has resorted to playing him as a winger on a handful of occasions.

The 42-year-old needs to establish his strongest starting XI to transform Everton's fortunes in the final third.