Everton legend Andy Gray has jumped to the defence of manager Marco Silva.

A poor performance against Tottenham will pile pressure back on the Portuguese boss, with Everton hovering ominously above the drop zone.

But Gray told the Mirror: “I don't want to see the club changing manager every 18 months, that's not what we should be doing at Everton.

“So if Silva can galvanise everybody, everyone is behind him, and the players are happy with him — and from what I hear from people within they are — then it's not a pressure that is going to get him the sack.

“Not unless they really, really look like they are in trouble of getting relegated. And I don't think that's going to happen.

“So my major problem with Everton right now — and it has been for the last three or four years — is recruitment.

“Look at Liverpool and ask why they are where they are.

“Yes, Jurgen Klopp is part of the reason, but mainly it's because their recruitment has been excellent, absolutely top class. But Everton's recruitment has been absolutely average.

“We have left ourselves short at centre-back. And centre-forward – we don't have one. We rely on 19-year-old Moise Kean from Juventus."