Everton will stay up because they have ‘enough about them’, claims CHRIS SUTTON on Mail Sport’s It’s All Coming Up podcast… but IAN LADYMAN disagrees and insists Sean Dyche’s side ‘remain very vulnerable’ as they await a possible points deduction
- Everton currently sit in 16th place and are three points clear of the drop zone
- But, they are faced by various off-field problems and could be deducted points
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Coming Up!’
Chris Sutton and Ian Ladyman disagreed on whether Everton will stay up in the Premier League this season amid the various off-field problems they face.
It has been a tumultuous week for the club after chairman Bill Kenwright tragically passed away on Monday.
Meanwhile, Mail Sport also reported on Wednesday how the top flight is pushing for a huge points deduction for Everton – potentially as much as 12 points – if they are found guilty over an alleged breach of the top flight’s financial rules, with their case currently being heard by an independent commission.
They sit in 16th place, just three points clear of the relegation zone, and travel to West Ham on Sunday to take on former boss David Moyes.
And former Premier League winner Sutton, speaking on Mail Sport’s It’s All Coming Up podcast, appreciated the tough situation the club find themselves in, but felt they would have enough to survive when debating the issue with co-host and football editor Ladyman.
Chris Sutton and Ian Ladyman disagreed on whether Everton will stay up this season
Everton are currently 16th in the Premier League but just three points clear of the bottom three
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‘It is a difficult time for Everton and I think that was always going to be the case,’ Sutton said.
‘I think Sean Dyche realised the job which he was going into. But in terms of evidence this season, I think I’ve been really consistent in saying that I think that they will stay in the Premier League.
‘And comfortably enough so if Dominic Calvert-Lewin stays fit. Everything I’ve seen from them in recent weeks, I strongly believe that.
‘I’m not going to say it’s going to be easy. There’s going to be bumps in the road for them.
‘I think Beto’s a decent signing, a decent backup to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but keep him fit. They’ll be fine.’
Everton went down 2-0 to Liverpool in the Merseyside derby last week after they were reduced to 10-men when Ashley Young was sent off in the first half for two bookings.
They held firm, until Michael Keane gave away a penalty for handball with Mohamed Salah making no mistake from the spot, before the Egyptian star added a second in injury-time.
And Sutton hit out at Young for letting his side down, but insisted he has seen enough from Everton in recent weeks to make him think they will be OK.
He added: ‘Ashley Young was really stupid with his second challenge. He had to go. He’s been a good player over the years, but when he’s often in those fullback positions, he is pretty reckless, and he was reckless there.
‘But in terms of where Everton are at, they’ll be fine. They’ve got enough about them, and there are more than three worse teams than Everton.’
However, Ladyman disagreed with his colleague and felt Sean Dyche’s side were firmly in the relegation battle.
‘I still think they’re very vulnerable though,’ he said. ‘They play West Ham this weekend. It’s a big game for both sides. Everton just have so much to deal with these days.
Everton are faced with several off-field problems and could be deducted as many as 12 points if they are found guilty of an alleged breach of the Premier League’s financial rules
Elsewhere, Everton chairman Bill Kenwright tragically passed at the age of 78 on Monday
‘Bill Kenwright their chairman passed away this week and I hope it’s marked in a way it should be.
‘They also need to get some points. There’s an independent commission hearing with charges of alleged financial fair play breaches against Everton.’
Ladyman continued: ‘There is talk they could be deducted 12 points if they are found guilty. They deny the charges.
‘There’s also a takeover in the offing. They’re not winning games. They just lost the Merseyside Derby. It’s a tricky, tricky time for that football club and it doesn’t get any easier, does it?’
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