Saturday 15 September 2018 12:34, UK
Everton manager Marco Silva says injuries have prevented him making the progress he would have hoped since taking over in the summer.
At one stage this week, the Toffees had 11 first-team players unavailable through suspension and fitness issues, although that number has since been reduced after Theo Walcott, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Bernard returned to training.
A red card for Phil Jagielka in the opening game of the season against Wolves was followed by Richarlison's dismissal at Bournemouth, meaning Silva has not fielded the same side in any of Everton's first five matches.
"Of course it is not the best thing for me as a manager," said Silva ahead of Everton's match against West Ham on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
"If you stay with all of them working it is better to settle everything and you don't have to change the starting XI all the time because of injuries and red cards.
"It is important for us to start to win some games and if you keep more or less the same players working every day, it is easier for this situation to happen.
"But it is football and you have to be ready to work in this way and find solutions to win matches."
After three draws in their opening four Premier League matches, Silva is looking to return to winning ways against the bottom-of-the-table Hammers who are yet to register a point.
However, Silva is taking nothing for granted.
"For us it is not important what position they are, whether or not they are looking for their first win, we have to keep focusing on our work to give 100 per cent and play at the best level to win the game," he added.
"We are talking about a club with a lot of quality in individual players and they spent a lot of money and signed a lot of new players.
"They have a new manager as well and sometimes it takes time to settle everything. We will respect them but the most important thing is what we can do."
