Micah Richards worried for Everton in ‘huge’ Premier League relegation verdict
Micah Richards has stressed his worry for Everton in their battle against Premier League relegation, as featured in Monday’s Daily Mail [17 April, Page 9].
In particular, he feels that their goal shortage is reflected in Neal Maupay, a good player but not one who should be relied upon to lead the line at Goodison Park.
Following Saturday’s underwhelming home defeat to Fulham, the Toffees sit just outside the drop zone on goal difference, level on 27 points with Nottingham Forest.
The former Manchester City and Aston Villa defender pinpointed a key flaw that will thwart Sean Dyche’s team right to the end of the campaign.
“A lack of goals is a huge issue. I like Neal Maupay as a footballer but he was not the right signing last summer to cure Everton’s striker problems,” stated Richards.”
“Burnley got relegated with 35 points last season – Everton currently have 27 and their final seven games are loaded with danger.
“It will be tight.”
The right solution
At the weekend, Dyche deployed Maupay up top with Demarai Gray, it didn’t quite work but that can be said of the whole performance.
The manager warned his side that they can’t go back to old ways, as he felt they regressed under the pressure after Marco Silva’s men went ahead in the second half through Harry Wilson. When Dan James made it 1-3, it was game over.
Everton simply can’t afford to be so passive, especially at home.
The next two games will be tricky, against a resurgent Crystal Palace in London then hosting Newcastle United. They need to take something from those fixtures, as difficult as it will be.
Now is the time to fight and scrap, for Dyche to find the right solution, and most importantly, for the players to give their all.
That wasn’t the case against Fulham and as Richards rightly states, it is going to be very tight if they are to secure the club’s Premier League status.
In other Everton news, CEO goes missing as indy regulator closes in – Martin Samuel.