Everton defender James Tarkowski has backed teammate Beto to rediscover his form in front of goal.
The forward has scored just once in eight league games this season, with one additional goal in the League Cup.
Indeed, his performances have become impossible to defend, with more wasteful finishing at the weekend.
The Blues suffered a 2-0 defeat at Manchester City courtesy of two second half Erling Haaland goals.
However, Beto had already squandered two opportunities to open the scoring for David Moyes’ side.
It was a decent performance overall from Everton, with ruthlessness in front of goal the difference between the sides.
Despite the poor run of form, Tarkowski insists that Beto continues to ‘work hard at his game’ and praised his mentality.
The Everton defender said: “Beto has got a great mentality. He works hard at his game all the time.
“I don’t think he needs geeing up too much. He’ll keep putting himself in positions to score goals and I’m sure at some point he’ll put them in like he did last season.
“I don’t think he needs an arm around the shoulder too much. The lads will support him if he needs it, but I’ve seen him working hard at his game ever since he’s been here, so he’ll keep putting himself in those positions to score goals and hopefully one will go in for him.”
MOYES MUST FIND A WAY TO GET THE BEST OUT OF BETO UNTIL JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW
Everton are very much a work in progress, but a lack of threat upfront continues to cost us points.
While Beto’s finishing is poor, there are few other redeeming attributes to his game. His hold up play is virtually non-existent and he struggles to win anything in the air.
A striker is a must in January, and it needs to be a ready made goalscorer – not a project player who’ll need time to adapt.
Moyes seemed to be getting the best out of Beto last season, with the 27-year-old scoring seven goals following the Scot’s appointment.
However, our forward line is a weak link that needs to be drastically improved come the winter transfer window.