Phil Jagielka ‘100%’ worried for Everton ahead of points deduction appeal verdict
Phil Jagielka admits it is a “problem” that Everton are now having to rely on other results to keep them in the Premier League.
The Toffees, docked 10 points earlier in the season in a decision they are trying to overturn, find themselves in the bottom three.
Luton Town are one point better off and have a game in hand, while bottom two Sheffield United and Burnley are as good as relegated.
“You’d be a brave man to call who’s going to go down with them,” Sky Sports pundit Jagielka said, as per the Liverpool Echo [8 February].
“I’m worried about Everton this season, 100%. I was less worried before the points deduction, of course.
“But then that comes, and obviously there’s rumours of another one. You look at every game now, not just Everton’s fixtures.
“When you find yourself in a position where you’re checking who other teams are up against and how they’re getting on, there’s a problem.
“It means one of two things; you’re looking because you’re trying to win something and you’re hoping your rivals have dropped points, or it’s the other way, and things are going south.”
Everton embroiled in Premier League relegation battle
Everton have known for a while now that they are in a relegation scrap that will almost certainly go down to the wire.
That is, of course, unless they are successful with their points appeal decision, with a verdict from last week’s hearing due soon.
Even then, if only six points are put back on the board, say, they will still not be able to breathe freely. There is also the threat of a second PSR punishment looming.
Full credit to Luton Town for dragging Everton into the bottom three with a run of form nobody really saw coming.
All the Toffees can do is continue getting points on the board via performances on the field, with last week’s draw against Tottenham a good result.
On the whole, though, results have not been good enough for a while now. A trip to Manchester City this weekend, then, is not ideal.
There are some more winnable fixtures ahead, though, so hopefully that presents a chance to build a little momentum.
Sean Dyche has put together a winning run once already this season and there is no reason why that cannot happen again.
In other Everton news, Dwight McNeil has shared what the dressing room is thinking amid the multiple PSR charges.
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