Charlie Austin: Everton staying in the Premier League would be ‘big achievement’
Charlie Austin has claimed it would be a big achievement for Everton if they survive relegation this season, and that the club and fans can’t ask for much more than that in the Premier League.
The former West Brom and Queens Park Rangers striker was also full of praise for Sean Dyche, claiming he is still the best man for the job at Goodison Park and that nobody would do better for Everton.
He suggested the priority should be to remain in the Premier League after a few years of fighting for survival, and that assessment may be a fair one given the ongoing situation at the club.
Austin was speaking live on talkSPORT [19 October, 17:38] when host Andy Goldstein asked: “Is it, even now with eight games played, just about Everton staying up and making sure they’re playing Premier League football next season?”
The former Premier League forward then responded: “Yeah I would say so. What else are you going to ask for really? Everton football club want to be a Premier League club, don’t they?
“You can’t really ask for much more. I think for them to stay up would be a big achievement again, I really do.
“I think Sean Dyche being in charge, they’ve got no man better to do it I think.”
An honest assessment
Despite being a Liverpool fan, appearing on talkSPORT to discuss the Merseyside derby ahead of the clash on Saturday 21 October, the statement appears to be an honest assessment of Everton’s situation, rather than a dig at the club.
For Everton, survival really should be the priority. Given the ongoing financial situation, with concerns over the potential takeover deal and heavy debts estimated to be over £1billion, Premier League survival is crucial to the future of the club, more than just sporting merits.
Dyche has proven last season that he can steer the club to safety, and he will need to do so again as is the aim of the club. They need to be honest about where they are and not aim too high, with a tough start to the season adding further tension.
As Austin states, they can’t really hope for much more than to stay in the league this season and to do so would be an achievement just as it was when they beat Bournemouth in the final game of last season.
In other Everton news, a new concern has emerged for Dyche ahead of Saturday’s game.