‘Dreadful’: Former Everton star notes change he hopes will help Rafa Benitez at Goodison

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Steve Watson has told Chronicle Live that Everton’s home record has been ‘dreadful’ while fans have been unable to attend games due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The former Toffees defender notes how clubs like Everton and Newcastle United were unable to rise to the occasion as easily without the support of their passionate fans.

Everton ended Carlo Ancelotti’s final season in charge with the Premier League’s 15th-best home record. The Italian oversaw just 22 points and six wins in 19 games at Goodison Park. Eclipsing only Brighton, Burnley and the relegated Sheffield United, West Brom and Fulham.

Rafa Benitez will hope the return of fans next season will help him make Goodison Park a fortress. Only Sheffield United, Fulham and West Brom actually lost more often at home last season than the Blues. Ancelotti’s men lost nine times on Merseyside and took four draws.

The Toffees even had to come from behind to beat West Brom, and dropped nine points from leading positions against Manchester United, Leicester, Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur. Watson now hopes the return of fans will help Benitez restore Everton’s fortunes.

“There have been no supporters,” Watson said. “Not just Newcastle, when you look at the teams that have those passionate followings.

“Everton are another of my old clubs, and home form is affected. Everton had some dreadful home form. It will be great to see supporters back in there, full stop.”

Restoring Goodison Park form vital for Benitez at Everton

Benitez will surely share Watson’s hope that the return of fans next season will help Everton restore their home form. The Toffees were strong on the road throughout the season, with Ancelotti’s side actually ending the term with the fourth-best record.

Only Manchester City (45), Manchester United (43) and Leicester (38) took more points on their travels than Everton (37). But the horrid home record put together under Ancelotti ensured the Toffees’ European qualification bid fell short.

So, making Goodison Park a fortress once again is vital for Benitez to make his time at Everton a success. The Spaniard may also manage to get more supporters on side by making the Toffees hard to beat at home, following his arrival on Merseyside.