Even though Everton won’t play in the Premier League again until March 30, there is still a lot going on at the team both on and off the field.
On the field, Nottingham Forest was docked four points for violating the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR), moving the Blues four points clear of the drop zone.
Away from the field, American investment company 777 Partners is still waiting to hear back from the Premier League over its proposed acquisition. In light of this, our Everton jury has reconvened to offer its opinions on issues both on and off the field.
Luke Davies: Only the right Forest lost points.
We’ve had a great vacation from Evertonless, but I kind of wish they were back already.
There has been no activity on the field. Off the field, though, we have been given another chance to avoid relegation. The difference between Everton and the Reds now stands at four points after Nottingham Forest was docked four points. The Blues are in the middle of a game, too.
Although I was happy that Nottingham Forest was demoted because Everton had already gone through and might go through the PSR ringer again, I would not want a football team with the history of Nottingham Forest to be demoted because of an off-the-field discipline.
Let’s hope that Everton has a fortunate international break in terms of injuries. Along with Vitalii Mykolenko, Amadou Onana and Jarrad Branthwaite are expected to play for their respective nations. Next week at this time, we’ll be excitedly awaiting our trip to Bournemouth. Enjoy the remaining time off!
Alex McMonnies: The primary cause for concern
It appears that Everton supporters are never able to take a few relaxing weeks off during the Premier League season.
This week, their fellow relegation contenders Nottingham Forest have taken center stage. They are the second team this year to lose points due to a violation of Profit & Sustainability regulations. The club received a deduction of four points instead of Everton’s first sentence of ten points, which was later reduced to six on appeal, despite the fact that they were a full £34.5 million over the legal threshold, compared to Everton’s breach of £19.5 million.
The commission’s Forest case ruling, which seems to have left more questions unanswered and only served to highlight the extent of dysfunctionality in these processes and the unfairness of leaving football fans in the dark, made repeated references to Everton.
The Blues’ fan base is suffering as a result of the uncertainty surrounding their entire 2023–24 campaign while they wait for the verdict of their claimed second breach, which is expected to be heard next week. With just a few games remaining in the regular season, Everton is still very much in the running for relegation, largely because to their six-point penalty.
Meanwhile, the planned 777 takeover appears to have no end in sight, while Everton’s new stadium on Bramley Moore Dock is getting closer to completion.
The main worry for many supporters is whether or not this current run of success can continue when the Premier League returns at the end of March. Everton still has control over their own destiny, and if Sean Dyche can muster his team and lead them to another winning streak similar to what we witnessed in December, there’s a good chance the Toffees will survive the drop for another season.
Sometimes the ultimate concentration might be lost because of everything going on outside the field, but Sean Dyche won’t have to