Sean Dyche has spoken out about the impact of last month’s point deduction on Everton.
It has been six weeks since Everton were handed a 10-point deduction after they were found guilty of breaching financial fair play rules.
The Toffees had found some form and had moved up to 14th in the Premier League table, eight points above the relegation zone.
However, their particularly harsh punishment plunged them straight back into danger and they have since been forced to battle against the likes of Luton Town and Burnley at the bottom of the table.
Despite defeat in their last two games against Man City and Tottenham, Everton have managed to keep their spirits high and enjoyed a run of four games in a row.
Everton do still find themselves only a point above the bottom three and there are still improvements to be made, but Sean Dyche has insisted there is still positivity around the club despite the deduction putting a ‘dent’ in their progress.
Speaking to the club official website, the manager said: “It’s just the reality, if you look at where we were when we got the points taken to where we are now, there has been a pretty healthy shift.
“We don’t know what will come next (from the appeal); we will have to wait and see. But performance levels are good and the mentality is good. We are a bit stretched, that is sometimes the challenge of what it is but we get on with it and keep working hard.
He added: “In spite of the obvious, if there was an assessment at the end of last season looking ahead to this season, and if people were to ask what do we expect, I’d say: ‘We have to do better’.
“I think despite the obvious situation, 26 points would be a healthy return with regards to a step forward from the last couple of seasons.
“I think there is also what you see beyond the points return, like the way the team and squad are going about it – it feels like we have got a more aligned Club.
“The fans’ connection with the Club is something I endlessly talk about. The alignment between us the staff and the players – that is beginning to mature. These are all important factors.
“The news of the 10 points put a dent in that, but it hasn’t broken anything. We are still there, fighting and working hard, and I still believe we have the players to get more from the season than what we are currently getting.”
Will Everton be safe?
Everton could have been sat in the top half of the table if they hadn’t received their point deduction.
In any other season, the Toffees would have been doomed and relegation would have been almost guaranteed. But spirits on Finch Farm have been high for a while now and that is very visible through the team’s performances.
If the club can add a bit more squad depth in the January transfer window then there is no reason why they can’t push on and be safe from the drop way before the final day of the campaign.
