Phil McNulty shares worrying Everton relegation verdict following dreadful run of results
BBC Sport chief Phil McNulty has stated that relegation seems more likely for Everton this season than it did last year under Rafael Benitez and that the Toffees are “sinking like a stone”.
Indeed, the Blues have undergone yet another campaign of disappointment and underachievement as they currently sit in the relegation zone following a dismal run of results, winning once in their last 13 games.
The defeat to Southampton on Saturday, a game the Toffees were expected to take points from, was their fifth defeat in their last seven games in the Premier League.
And the Everton fans have rightly displayed their discontent and frustration at the board and owner Farhad Moshiri with numerous protests. The situation at Goodison Park doesn’t appear to be improving either, and Lampard finds himself in more trouble than Benitez did last season.
McNulty speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside [17 January, 1:52] said: “If you look back to last season, Rafa Benitez was sacked after 19 games, Everton had 19 points and were 15th, this season Everton have played 19 games, they’re 19th and they’ve got 15 points.
“The season started again after the World Cup break, and they had three home games coming up against Wolves, Brighton and Southampton. You would look at those and think they need seven points probably at least from those, they have none, they’ve lost to two of their fellow strugglers in Wolves and Southampton.
“Suddenly, those two clubs under new managers have gone on an upward trajectory, Everton are sinking like a stone so, and this is why the fans are so concerned. I think after the escape last season, as we heard before, this will never happen again, sadly it looks more like happening this season than it did last.”
Bleak
Things are indeed looking bleak at Goodison Park as Lampard looks to navigate out of a tough and perilous situation at Goodison Park.
With such a talented bunch at his disposal, it is seriously disappointing that the club find itself in such a dreadful position, and struggling to muster any points in the Premier League.
It’s true, Lampard is in a worse position than Benitez was last year, which means the former Chelsea boss is incredibly fortunate to still be in the job.
However, he isn’t solely to blame and much of the responsibility falls on the shoulders of the Toffees’ lacklustre and incompetent board and owner. Where is the structure that Lampard is supposed to work under? The same can be said for his predecessors.
The Toffees hierarchy have not provided managers with the tools and room to rejuvenate an ailing and underachieving club. Relegation certainly looms large, and what’s more worrying is that the club simply do not look like avoiding it.
Everton are indeed sinking like a stone.