Former Everton forward Kevin Campbell believes his old side are paying the price for failing to bring in a centre-forward during the January transfer window.
Everton endured a dreadful end to the transfer window with numerous attempts to strengthen Sean Dyche’s relegation-threatened squad resulting in failure. The Blues, after selling Anthony Gordon to Newcastle United, ended the month weaker than when they started it.
The Blues’ lack of activity, that came despite promises from the owner, Farhad Moshiri, that his club would secure a much-needed striker, has prompted many fans to believe that their side could well be playing in the Championship next season.
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Everton have scored just 17 times this season and Campbell, speaking to Sky Sports, believes not adding firepower to their squad during the winter window is coming back to haunt his old club.
He said: "Evertonians look back at the January window and absolutely feel the club missed a trick. Getting a striker or getting some firepower - that's been missing all season.
"You lose Richarlison, who was in double figures at Everton, and they've lost those goals. You can't now wrap Calvert-Lewin in cotton wool.
“There's only so much you can do before he needs to get out there and play. Neal Maupay is a good player, but he needs to play off a striker who is bigger and can hold up the ball and work with. If they don't score the goals, they'll be in trouble.
"At home, Everton can perform and they can beat teams. But the away form has been so poor - and it is way before Sean Dyche was at the club. It will come to a point where Dyche is going to have to go for some games.
"Arsenal away is not that time, as you've got to have that discipline which they showed for 130 minutes over two games keeping them quiet, but they will have to go for other games because the goals they've scored, they've relied on defenders.
"Where's the goals from midfielders and strikers? Calvert-Lewin unfortunately can't keep himself fit, but I would go with two up top. It may weaken certain parts of the team, but Ellis Simms is back - he's scored goals wherever he's gone on loan.
"He needs a chance. Everton need to win games, not just stay in them. They can then always adjust it to be more defensive once they're ahead."
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