Everton legend Gray labels Mirallas 'selfish' after penalty miss

22 January 2015 09:36

Everton legend Andy Gray has spoken to talkSport about Kevin Mirallas' penalty miss in the 0-0 draw with West Brom at Goodison Park this weekend. He was, understandably, not too impressed. He labeled the current Everton starlet as selfish and after reviewing the situation it seems to be justified. The win, after drawing 1-1 to Manchester City at home, could have spurred the team on from their half season disappointment. Now the toffees remain in an unlikely relegation scrap.

“If he hasn’t got that, then [make] a simple apology to Everton fans because that is two points gone. There is no doubt in my mind that if Everton would have scored that penalty, and I think Baines would have scored, then they would have gone on to win the game.” Said Gray.

Gary Neville was much less soft spoken on the matter calling Mirallas’ actions as a “despicable breach of team spirit.”

The fact of the matter is that Mirallas did act very selfishly by undermining Leighton Baines’ position as his side’s regular penalty taker. It is never considered to be a wise move to take penalty duties from the normal penalty taker, especially in the case of Baines, who has been so consistent in terms of converting them.

Gray was obviously confident in Baines’ ability to convert at the weekend. However, he is also critical of the Everton penalty takers’ inability to control his player and exert his authority.

“I would not have allowed that if I was on the pitch. I know one or two other players got involved and tried to stop him, but Leighton Baines was a little disappointing for me.” Gray said.

“Leighton should have been stronger. He should have said to Kevin ‘no, I’m going to get into trouble if I let you take it. I take the penalties, it is 0-0, not 3-0, in a really big game at the bottom of the league, I need to take this penalty, Kevin, because I am going to score it’.

Gray makes a very good point here. Baines is ultimately responsible for pushing his player off the ball in order to take responsibility for what has been his role in the team. However, can you blame him for having confidence in the talented Belgian?

Additionally, even though he was unsuccessful in convincing Mirallas that he should step aside, he seemed to act very aggressively towards him, giving him a couple of smacks which at first seemed encouraging but then turned quite stern. In any event, Mirallas missed a penalty that may have propelled the Goodison Park outfit towards the heights that they became used to reaching last season, and he will have to learn from that. Baines will learn from the experience as well. Of that I have no doubt.

Source: DSG