MX23RW : Tuesday, March 12 15:06:42

Bernard backs Silva's exacting standards and attention to detail

Bernard backs Silva's exacting standards and attention to detail
© Reuters
The Everton winger put in an assured display during the draw with Liverpool.

Everton winger Bernard is an enthusiast of manager Marco Silva's exacting standards and attention to detail.

Bernard has occasionally struggled to impose himself on the Premier League since joining the Merseyside club on a free transfer last summer from Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk.

He has scored only once this season but an encouraging cameo in the win at Cardiff last week convinced Silva to hand Bernard a starting role against Liverpool, with the Brazilian delivering an assured display in a goalless draw at Goodison Park.

The 26-year-old is keen to develop his game under Silva as he is a subscriber of the Portuguese's philosophies of high intensity, both in attack and defence.

He said on Everton's official website: "Without a doubt, (the manager is demanding) and emphasises the need to work hard – it is a collective effort and through that, we become stronger as a team.

"We have to do a lot of work. Football has changed a lot (for forwards), it is not just an offensive game, you have to be defensive as well.

"I give my best not just in attack but defensively, too. I have that intuition, that if you keep a clean sheet you are one step closer to victory."

Despite impressing in his two most recent outings, Bernard is not taking a starting berth for granted at Newcastle, where Everton will be without Leighton Baines while there are doubts over Phil Jagielka's availability.

The stalemate against derby rivals Liverpool last Sunday kept the Toffees 10th in the table and Bernard is optimistic of building on the result at St James' Park, where Newcastle have claimed four successive league wins.

Bernard said: "It is very important to focus and prepare for Newcastle because it will be a difficult match and we want to keep adding points to our total.

"I hope to play but there is a lot of competition and everybody in the squad wants the same thing."

Bernard believes his chances of remaining in the starting XI have been enhanced by him developing an understanding on the left flank with full-back Lucas Digne.

Bernard added: "Me and Lucas are constantly talking on the pitch and during training. And as he is playing a bit farther back he has better vision of what is going on than I do.

"He speaks to me continually during the game, he sees the full picture and it is important he tells me where I can close down the spaces and prevent the ball from getting through. I think we are working well together."


Click here for more stories about Bernard

Click here for more stories about Everton

Share this article now:
Zinedine Zidane at a press conference in May 2018
Read Next:
Football rumours from the media
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Champions League
Championship
Scottish Cup
Ligue 1
League One
League Two
National League
Scottish Championship
Scottish League One
Scottish League Two
Copa Libertadores
AFC Champions League
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City30242479215874
2Liverpool30227168175173
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs30201957322561
4Arsenal30186663392460
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd30177658401858
6Chelsea29176650311957
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves30128103836244
8Watford30127114244-243
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham30116133743-639
10Leicester CityLeicester30115143842-438
11Everton30107134142-137
12Bournemouth30114154154-1337
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle3097142938-934
14Crystal Palace3096153641-533
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2996143242-1033
16Southampton3079143450-1630
17Burnley3086163457-2330
18Cardiff CityCardiff3084182757-3028
19Fulham3045212868-4017
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield3035221553-3814

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account