Tim Sherwood makes new ‘exciting’ Everton relegation prediction live on Sky Sports
Tim Sherwood has insisted that Everton “will not get relegated” despite the point deduction making things more “exciting” in a new prediction.
The Toffees climbed out of the relegation zone for the first time since their 10-point deduction for breaking profit and sustainability rules with a superb 3-0 win over Newcastle United last time out, to boost hopes of avoiding the drop.
While there is still plenty of football to be played and a long way to go for the Toffees to avoid relegation, Sherwood is adamant that Everton will have enough to stay up, suggesting their excellent injury record could be key.
Speaking on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday (9 December, 13:53) he said: “The objective is exactly the same now with or without the ten points, to stay in the league. It’s got a little bit more exciting for them, but I believe they will stay in the league even with the ten-point deduction.
“I think he’s got them playing to a rhythm now, they know exactly what is expected of them, and they hardly pick up injuries. Calvert-Lewin is the important one they need to keep fit, but other than that, they’re pretty much the same team.
“Everyone’s enjoying playing under him, the fans are enjoying going now. I said before I don’t want to see anybody relegated out of the Premier League because of a point deduction and I’m proud to say Everton will not get relegated.”
Will not go down
It’s amazing how quickly things change in the Premier League. Only a matter of weeks ago everybody had written off Sean Dyche’s side as relegation fodder, but after two big wins over Nottingham Forest and Newcastle, they look like they’ll dodge the drop.
Keeping Dominic Calvert-Lewin fit as Sherwood suggested could be crucial, but the Toffees have shown this season that they can find goals from elsewhere on the pitch. However, there isn’t too much depth at Goodison so any injury crisis could be disastrous.
Dyche has certainly improved this side since he arrived on Merseyside, but they are by no means perfect. They’ll know that they can’t take their foot off of the gas just because things have looked better in recent weeks. There’s a lot of points to be played for.
Hopefully, Sherwood’s confidence will not be misguided and the Toffees will maintain this form and avoid the drop, but it definitely isn’t as cut and dry as he’s suggested.
In other Everton news, James McFadden has slammed Dominic Calvert-Lewin for an “unbelievable” miss against Newcastle