Michail Antonio shares fresh Everton relegation admission in new Luton verdict
Michail Antonio has admitted that Everton will have to be looking over their shoulder at Luton Town in the race to avoid relegation from the Premier League this season.
The Toffees currently sit one point behind the Hatters in the final relegation place, with Rob Edwards’ side having a game in hand over Sean Dyche’s Blues and it may be a straight shoot-out between the two for Premier League survival.
While Antonio admits a number of teams could still be dragged into the relegation dogfight, he thinks Luton have sent the Toffees and those around them a message that “coasting” will not be enough this season.
Speaking on Sky Sports Monday Night Football (5 February, 18:57) he said: “At the beginning of the season, Luton were one of the first teams where you were thinking, they’re going to back down, they’ve not spent any money.
“Then Sheffield United, Burnley, they did so well last year so you weren’t too sure but you were thinking maybe Forest as well. But with how well they’re [Luton] doing now, Everton have got to look over their shoulder, Forest and even Brentford here tonight.
“It’s one of those things where people think they’ll be safe because the teams are not as good and maybe they can coast through, but Luton have shown that there is no coasting.”
Dyche and Everton sent relegation message by Antonio
There is still plenty of football to be played between now and the end of the season and there is still plenty of time for Everton to make their way out of the relegation zone, but the Toffees need to start improving and quickly.
Everton’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham was a marked improvement, but Dyche would have liked to have seen his side pick up more than a single point for a performance that arguably deserved more.
With the uncertainty off of the field surrounding Everton’s charges of breaching profit and sustainability rules, partnered with 777 Partners’ takeover, the Toffees have to focus on the playing field and avoid coasting into the Championship.
Hopefully, Everton will glance over their shoulder as suggested by Antonio and then begin to pick up the pace so they can secure their place in the Premier League for at least another season.
In other Everton news, one business journalist has shared an update on the Toffees’ “impossible” summer transfer plans
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