Everton: Farhad Moshiri to be worried by developments at Leeds United and Southampton
It’s a scary time to be an Everton fan – and possibly an even scarier time to be club owner Farhad Moshiri.
Everton’s 4-0 defeat at Arsenal on Wednesday night was one thing. It was a terrible performance and easily the worst since Sean Dyche’s arrival at Goodison Park in January.
But seeing Leeds, Leicester, Southampton and West Ham dumped out of the FA Cup in the last 48 hours now means that Everton’s relegation rivals only have the Premier League to focus on.
Had those four clubs proceeded to the FA Cup quarter-finals this week, you’d imagine that their performances in the league would be affected due to having more fixtures to play, increased risk of injuries, increased travel and having a focus on reaching the semi-finals at Wembley.
Southampton fans, for example, would probably be more forgiving towards their players in this current situation had they made the last four – or even the final – of the FA Cup this season.
But, unfortunately for Everton who crashed out of the FA Cup in the third round at the hands of Manchester United, none of their Premier League relegation rivals now remain in the competition.
It’s surely a worrying time for Moshiri behind the scenes at Everton – or wherever he is in the world right now cowering away from the club that he owns.
As Southampton crashed out of the FA Cup thanks to a dismal defeat to Grimsby Town on Wednesday night (1 March), things weren’t much better for Dyche’s side as they were thumped by Mikel Arteta’s league leaders.
Despite showing some heart and promise in the early stages of the game and managing to withstand Arsenal’s star-studded attack for 40 minutes – the club’s attacking deficiencies once again came to the fore, and they crumbled away alarmingly in the latter stages of the match.
The blame for the club’s shortcomings can only be placed on Moshiri’s doorstep. The lack of strikers signed in the last 18 months is simply criminal, and Dyche is now severely on the back foot compared to his close rivals.
Javi Gracia, Ruben Selles, David Moyes and Dyche now have just one prize at the end of the tunnel after the distractions of the FA Cup were left in the rearview mirror – Premier League survival.
Moshiri has left Dyche with one hand tied behind his back in his attempts to drive the club to survival, and fans shouldn’t hold back in their criticism of him.
It’s a long few months ahead now.