Wednesday 23 November 2016 16:49, UK
Joe Royle and Graeme Sharp have given their backing to Everton boss Ronald Koeman amid mounting unrest around Goodison Park.
After a strong start to the Premier League season, Everton have now won just once in seven games and some fans voiced their discontent after the 1-1 draw with Swansea.
However, Royle - who scored over 100 goals for the club as a player and guided the club to FA Cup glory in 1995 - believes Koeman's side can still challenge for a trophy this season, once they have put their recent struggles behind them.
He told Sky Sports News HQ: "I think we have had a fair start and up to a couple of weeks ago, you could have said a terrific start.
"We are up there at the right end of it, we are in seventh and we have had a little bit of a hiccup, we know that, but I wouldn't rule us out for a cup this year.
"I don't think realistically that the squad is where Ronald wants it to be, as regards an assault on the Premier League title just yet.
"I've no doubt he is already lining up some signings that would make us even better in the New Year but equally that doesn't rule us out of a decent cup run."
Sharp, who has more than 100 Everton goals to his name over 10 seasons, has urged the fans to be patient believes Koeman is still the man to take the club to the next level.
"I think the owners are patient and the chairman is patient," Sharp said. "Koeman knows what a big job it is.
"Obviously clubs are spending more money and it is getting more and more difficult to compete at the top but Everton have got to hang on in there and I think they have got an excellent manager who just needs time."
Joe Royle and Graeme Sharp were speaking at an Everton in the Community event, in conjunction with Clatterbridge Cancer Centre. Last year alone, Everton Lotteries raised over £200,000 for Everton in the Community.
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