Sam Allardyce has asked Everton fans to have patience with Yannick Bolasie.
Since returning from a lengthy knee injury lay-off in December, Bolasie’s performance have failed to find favour with sections of the Blues support.
The DR Congo international, 28, faced fresh criticism after his underwhelming display in last weekend’s Merseyside derby draw with Liverpool.
But Allardyce is pleading for understanding within the Goodison Park club’s support as Bolasie continues to his comeback to peak match fitness.
He said: “I see an adverse reaction from every crowd.
“If you do a pass wrong there’s a negative reaction, if you do a pass right there’s a positive reaction.
“Your cruciate ligament, like many long-term injuries, when they come back they’re expected to be what they were before the injury.
“While fit it sometimes takes a little bit longer for some than others.
“It’s taken Yannick a little bit longer to get in his stride, on the reverse of that it hasn’t taken Seamus Coleman quite as long.”