New Everton head of academy coaching John Ebbrell says having ex-Toffees players working on the training pitches is crucial.

Ebbrell came through the academy himself, training as a youngster with club greats like Peter Reid and Paul Bracewell.

“They'd let you know," says Ebbrell to evertonfc.com. “They were just driven.

“Every great player, from every era, is driven to be the best, or to be the best they possibly can be.

“Why wouldn't we, in the right way, pass that on to all our younger players?

“All through my time at Everton, there has been a winning mentality, right through the Club… and I suspect it stretches back long before then.

“There is nothing wrong with players wanting to win in everything they do and for us to create a culture and environment where they are allowed to compete every day, to practice winning and making sure they win.

“And to experience how bad it feels to lose.

“That is what nearly every sport is about, certainly football at the top end.

“We need to make sure that mentality is absolutely at the forefront of everything we do.

“How you deliver to a player what they need to play for Everton is very, very important.

“We have lots of ex-players who can deliver it – but it must be reflected in every facet of how we play.

“There are times us coaches instinctively look at each other because we know how Goodison would react if a player does something we've just seen.

“We all know certain things are really appreciated at Goodison and others aren't.

“Yes, you need the communication skills to point them in the right direction.

“But it is far better if it is out on the grass, if it is in their training every day, in how we play in the matches.

“That is the key to learning."