Everton sent 'panic mode' message as midfielder opens up on early retirement

Here are your Everton morning headlines for Tuesday, April 5.

Michael Ball thinks the Blues are getting a reputation for making silly mistakes and need to stop being drawn into giving away cheap - and costly - free kicks.

In his weekly ECHO column, he writes: "It feels like Everton are getting punished for every mistake they make this season.

"But the reality is that we really need to stop making those mistakes in the first place. It is as though the players are playing in panic mode - none of them want to be seen as the one to let the side down.

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"This team is getting a reputation for acting rashly and we are giving away so many silly fouls in and around the box. The players need to back themselves a little bit more. With Michael Keane and his second booking against West Ham, for instance, he needs to be thinking: 'Where is the advantage in winning the ball there?' He has to consider what he will gain from engaging a player in that area.

"The side needs to concentrate on defending the goal - a goal is only small. Take your opportunities to defend it and don't get sucked in. That is what other players are trying to do to us, they are trying to entice tackles, they are trying to entice you into making a mistake. That is what they do.

"They are looking at an Everton side that is giving away silly free kicks. Our mindset needs to change and we need to start focusing on other the weaknesses of other teams. And when mistakes are made it is pointless focusing on them. It is pointless being negative. We need to learn to let go of