By George Overhill

26th May, 2023 | 7:10pm

Duncan Ferguson drops Everton prediction for Bournemouth clash in 'cannae see it happening' verdict live on talkSPORT

Duncan Ferguson is confident that Everton will beat Bournemouth and stay in the Premier League because he can’t see the Cherries winning at Goodison Park.

The multiple-time former interim manager admits that the players haven’t been good enough and the recruitment has followed suit to leave the Toffees’ top flight future in the balance on the final day, but has backed the home fans to be crucial on Sunday (28 May).

Sean Dyche’s side hold a two point advantage over Leeds and Leicester so victory will guarantee safety, and Ferguson believes the team and the fans will be “too much” for the Cherries to handle on a “massive” occasion.

In an interview live on talkSPORT (26 May) the club legend was asked by Natalie Sawyer what he thought had gone wrong this season and said: “Well they’ve not been good enough have they? That’s the end of it… the players have not performed, they’ve not got the points on the board, and they’ve struggled… it really boils down to the players’ lack of performance on the pitch… and maybe a bit of poor recruitment along the way.”

But he is confident that there is a late, late escape on the cards, as he told Ray Parlour: “The crowd will play a massive part, they’ll get behind the team as they always do. Everton have been in this position before, they were in it last year and managed to get out of it, and the fans made a massive impact on that. They’ll do the same on Sunday.

“I’m sure in the end they’ll push the team over the line, it’s going to be a massive day. You’re right Everton are in the strongest position and I fully expect them to get over the line on Sunday.”

He summed up: “100%. I cannot see Bournemouth going to Goodison and winning, I cannae see it happening. Everton will be too much for them, the fans will be too much for Bournemouth to handle. I think Everton will win the match and I think they’ll stay up. It’ll be tense but I think they’ve got too much in their locker.”

Positive

Everything is set up for the occasion to be a rousing one that Everton have to take full advantage of to get over the line.

The entire season essentially boils down to a one-off game in front of the home fans, which on any given day is a situation the Toffees should back themselves in.

Having Ferguson on the sideline would guarantee it, but as long as the injuries and the pressure don’t get to Sean Dyche’s side they have it in their hands to finish the job.

Just squeaking to safety on the last day isn’t where this club wants to be or should be, but in difficult circumstances it is about as good as could be hoped for unfortunately.

With MSP Sports Capital’s investment and influence thought to be possibly just days away once the result is in the books it could be the first step into a new era, and hopes will be high that it can be a marked improvement on what has got Everton to this point.

Bournemouth were a particularly tricky proposition for Frank Lampard’s side earlier this season so Dyche needs to rectify that record at the most crucial time.