Everton relegation: Jamie O’Hara and Jason Cundy clash live on air
Jamie O’Hara and Jason Cundy clashed when discussing the chances of Everton being relegated from the Premier League this season.
The talkSPORT duo were at loggerheads in the studio while discussing the Toffees, who were beaten 1-0 at Bournemouth on Saturday (4 January).
Cundy denies Sean Dyche’s side have any major relegation danger this season, while O’Hara used the lack of forward edge and the improved form of Wolves and Ipswich as reasons not to take survival for granted.
Cundy, speaking live on talkSPORT (4 January, 18:10) began: “I think [Everton] have to just sit this one down and deal with what’s coming. They won’t go down – you think they might?!”
O’Hara responded: “They’ve got a chance – they’ve only got 17 points. Wolves have killed everyone because they’ve picked up massively; Ipswich are a good team.
“Defensively, they’ve got some really good players: Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Pickford in goal. But the lack of quality going forward, it’s really poor to watch.”
Everton must address major issues
Everton have become the resilient defensive unit – for the most part – reminiscent of the end of last season under Dyche.
However, when they do concede one or two in a game – as has been the case in their last two outings – the Toffees usually emerge on the end of a narrow and frustrating defeat.
Going forward, Dyche’s men have the second-worst goal record in the Premier League; only Southampton (12) have netted fewer than their 15.
Armando Broja, recently returning from injury and chosen ahead of two-goal Dominic Calvert-Lewin of late by Dyche, was withdrawn after an innocuous-looking blow, and replaced by the England man in the first half at the Vitality Stadium.
If there is one time for an issue such as this to take place, from a club’s perspective it is early January, especially under new ownership.
Firepower is needed, and quickly or it could spell the end of Everton in the Premier League as we know it.
In other Everton news, one BBC pundit blasts Jarrad Branthwaite after what happened v Bournemouth.
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