Life for Everton right now is pretty grim, to say the least. Despite an early-season surge, they have been plagued by poor form reminiscent of the late 1990s under Walter Smith. The points deduction has only compounded their struggles. To cope with the grim reality, Everton fans have resorted to gallows humor as a coping mechanism. However, recent results against Forest have given them a glimmer of hope as they focus on staying in the Premier League and regrouping in the summer.
Looking ahead, there is a sense of uncertainty regarding better times. The recent takeover by 777 Partners is seen more as a marriage of convenience than a well-thought-out business decision. Everton owes a significant amount of money to the new owners, and if the Premier League approves the deal, it may be seen as a means to avoid administration rather than a strategic move. The track record of 777 Partners’ ownership leaves much to be desired, but Everton fans are willing to accept any help in their current situation. The prospect of a new stadium offers some hope for the future, despite the financial strain it has caused this season. Opposition fans are even looking forward to visiting the new ground, which serves as a morale boost for Everton supporters.
When it comes to individual performances, Jordan Pickford has been a standout player for Everton this season. Despite the criticism he receives for his small stature, Pickford’s lightning-quick reactions and excellent footwork have played a crucial role in keeping Everton in the Premier League. Another player who has impressed is Dwight McNeil, who has shown composure and consistency in an otherwise inconsistent side. His goals, along with those of Abdoulaye Doucoure, have been invaluable for Everton.
As for the team’s manager, Sean Dyche, opinions are divided. While some view him as a temporary solution to guide Everton through their current predicament, others believe his defensive approach is not a long-term strategy. The decision to hire Dyche was seen as short-term and based on name recognition rather than a well-thought-out football decision. However, the writer refrains from mentioning their preferred replacement, as it is a divisive topic.
Turning to Liverpool, their title hopes rely on Arsenal faltering in their upcoming matches. The writer jokingly mentions that they have placed bets on Liverpool winning the title as an emotional hedge bet, a sentiment shared by many Everton fans. However, they acknowledge that Manchester City could still pose a threat to Liverpool’s chances. The writer also questions Pep Guardiola’s occasional off days and finds little evidence of overthinking in his tactics this season. Overall, they believe Liverpool has a good chance of winning the title and reluctantly hope they are proven wrong.
When it comes to derby memories, Everton fans have fond memories of Andrei Kanchelskis’ brace at Anfield, particularly because he was one of the most technically gifted players they have seen at the club. On the other hand, the memory of Divock Origi’s 96th-minute winner still haunts them, especially when he made an appearance for Forest recently.
In terms of the upcoming Merseyside derby, the writer expects a scrappy and attritional game between a strikerless Everton and a nervy Liverpool. Key battles are likely to take place in midfield, with James Tarkowski’s crunching tackles playing a crucial role for Everton. They also highlight the importance of Darwin Nunez’s ability to convert chances for Everton and Diogo Jota’s threat for Liverpool. Exploiting Everton’s defensive vulnerabilities early on would be a smart strategy for Liverpool.
The writer is adamant that no Liverpool player should ever cross the park to play for Everton. The honor of Gary Ablett being the last player to make that move should be preserved.
Finally, when asked for a prediction, the writer humorously refuses to make one and is open to negotiations with any skilled witch or wizard who can guarantee a streak of goalless draws for eternity.