David Unsworth: Watford match is 'huge' for me, says caretaker boss

Last updated on 2 November 2017.From the section Football174

David Unsworth believes Sunday's match against Watford is crucial for both him and the club as he aims to secure the role of full-time manager.

The academy coach, 44, was placed in caretaker charge after Ronald Koeman's sacking, and ex-Everton player Phil Neville told BBC Sport he thought he had four games to prove himself.

However, he has overseen three defeats and Europa League elimination.

Unsworth said: "Watford is a huge game for me and the players as well."

Thursday's 3-0 defeat in Lyon, which resulted in the Toffees' exit from European competition, was the club's fifth loss in succession - their worst run in 12 years.

The result in France also meant they became the first English side not to win any of their first four games of a Europa League campaign.

"When you're not winning games, you do concede sloppy goals and have a little bit of bad fortune," added Unsworth, whose side are third bottom of the Premier League.

"So the mentality must be strong and we must have the courage to be strong if we go a goal behind, the courage to stick together.

"Confidence is a great word in football and you only get that from winning."

On Wednesday, Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo ruled out taking over at Goodison Park amid reports of interest from the Merseyside club.

Earlier this week, former England manager Sam Allardyce said he would consider an approach from Everton.

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174 comments

Comment posted by User0571931795, at 07:16 3 Nov 2017
Nice guy but completely out of his depth
Comment posted by Yuccaman, at 09:43 3 Nov 2017
I totally understand why Everton want Dyche. What I can't begin to understand is why on earth Dyche would want Everton... Why would he walk out of a club who he has built over 5 years where he is revered as a hero, to a club on the slide where he could quite realistically be sacked by the end of the season? Dyche is exactly the kind of manager that Everton need, so they'll probably get Big Sam
Comment posted by Martarslipstick, at 08:26 3 Nov 2017
"Watford is a huge game for me and the players as well."

Interesting to see who he is putting first in this sentence
Comment posted by Holps, at 08:28 3 Nov 2017
Everton were actually pretty decent for most of the match and tired in the last 15 minutes. With no strikers and their star players out of form they put in a good shift.
I'm not convinced Unsworth is the man but then the owners clearly had no plan whatsoever when they sacked Koeman and now they stand and fiddle while the whole circus tent burns down around poor Unsworth. Shambles.
Comment posted by vijay, at 08:54 3 Nov 2017
I am concerned regarding Unsworth appointment, he is more worried about saving his job than focusing on work, he should stop thinking about job and get back to his office and first make Everton stop losing games and build foundation from there. He should realize that he is not at a position where thinking selfish will help him, this approach brings fear and fear brings confusion and the sack.
Comment posted by Lord Croker, at 09:04 3 Nov 2017
He's toast. The club is already in a relegation dogfight. There's only one man to call... Expect to see Sam 'Ave-a-slice approached and appointed within 10 days.
Comment posted by pawcypig, at 10:57 3 Nov 2017
Just wish Phil Neville would get the job so we'd stop being subjected to his awful punditry and we could watch him fail miserably. But then again, I don't wish misery on Everton or their fans!
Comment posted by Paul Bestall, at 09:33 3 Nov 2017
Never managed a league club, only kids yet the media narrative by certain pundits and Unsworth seem to think he deserves the job.

Why? What has he achieved as a manager? Absolutely nothing.
There is a continual denial over peoples qualifications to take these roles (Phil Neville, Sol Campbell and Giggs) despite no experience of the roles.

Get down the league and earn it.
Comment posted by DJuplifter, at 10:56 3 Nov 2017
I don't think Unsworth is ready for the Everton job. His first games have resulted in rash, poor decisions. It's not the time to experiment, Everton need results. Defensively they look poor (Williams particularly looks out of form) and I would focus on sorting this and keeping clean sheets to build confidence to start.
Comment posted by Michael D, at 11:07 3 Nov 2017
Unsworth had no chance even before doing a John Carver, losing all the matches and letting this temporary promotion go to his head.

The real culprit here is the BBC's very own Phil Neville who is being paid to give an critical assessment rather than using the BBC to promote his mate.

The footballing logic of Neville would have been laughed off in any pub in the land

Very poor
Comment posted by Dave B, at 10:57 3 Nov 2017
Everton could win 5-0 on the weekend and don't think it would make any difference. Delusional if he still thinks he has a chance of getting the job full time
Comment posted by DougNotFunnie, at 09:11 3 Nov 2017
Is he having a laugh?! If he actually cared as much about Everton as he claims then he wouldn't want it. They are actually playing worse under him and I never thought it possible. All he wants is the big bucks because even getting the sack can earn you £10m as a premier league manager these days
Comment posted by MadHatter, at 12:24 3 Nov 2017
In every interview with Unsworth, you detect that it's more about him than the club or team. This is in itself a reason not to give him the job.
Comment posted by HardBoiledEgg, at 07:02 3 Nov 2017
If you need info about your future give Fat Sam a call.
Comment posted by HenrySwanton, at 07:21 3 Nov 2017
Pointing out the obvious Mr Unsworth. I am pretty sure Everton are looking for a new manager now, so despite the score of this game Unsworth should get the sack. The Europa league exit was shocking because of the way they went out, no fight. Unsworth has bigged himself up for this job yet has made Everton an embarrasment

Unsworth is Unsworthy of the Everton job.
Comment posted by D1679416654881, at 08:22 3 Nov 2017
Allardyce might consider an approach..... I'm praying for you Everton
Comment posted by Allan Brown, at 11:26 3 Nov 2017
Can't see Dyche being stupid enough to take the Everton job. Why would he? He is revered at Burnley and has total control over all aspects of the club's management. If he went to Everton, he wouldn't have that control and he'd have Prima Donna's like Rooney to contend with. Stay at Burnley Sean, you know it makes sense.
Comment posted by D1710959955630, at 09:35 3 Nov 2017
@20 you have given no footballing reasons for Unsworth not to be considered, but instead choose to attack his physicality. You need to grow up and when you do come back with something more constructive and an opinion based on his coaching talents etc?
Comment posted by Largewomble, at 11:26 3 Nov 2017
The new Tim sherwood, the only one who cannot see he's just the caretaker is him
Comment posted by K A G S, at 15:58 3 Nov 2017
Can’t believe how many Everton haters have materialised since we got ourselves a billionaire.........everyone used to love ‘poor little plucky Everton’.