‘Average’ Everton are ‘bang in trouble’: Redknapp delivers telling verdict on Toffees’ survival hopes
Harry Redknapp:
Ex-manager Harry Redknapp thinks that Everton are “bang in trouble” in the relegation battle because their team is “bang average.”
The Toffees are currently in 17th place in the Premier League table and only outside the bottom three on goal difference, with a crucial game away to Crystal Palace coming up on Saturday.
Sean Dyche gave Everton a slight boost when he replaced Frank Lampard in January, but now, after four games without a win, they are back in serious trouble.
Speaking to the UTCIAD Youtube channel, Redknapp said: “They’re still in [the relegation battle], they’re a bang-average team, I think.
“Sean’s gone in and done a good job, getting the best out of what he’s got. Frank was the same. What do you do? They’ve got no strikers.
“Calvert-Lewin was the main man but hasn’t played really all year. Where do they score their goals? They’ve got no goals in the team.
Indeed, Everton’s main striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has missed as many as 14 games through injury this season and as a result, the Toffees have scored the joint-fewest goals of any team in the Premier League.
But, the England international is expected to be back in action for the Blues on Saturday – which should give their survival hopes a boost.
Redknapp backs Dyche to find a way
However, while DCL is finally coming back from injury, the performances from the rest of the Everton team have simply not been up to standard.
Nevertheless, Redknapp thinks that if anyone can keep the Toffees up, it will be Dyche, but he’s still got a major challenge on his hands.
“Maupay has scored one this year, who’s going to score for them? You need goals to win football matches.
“You look at Everton you can’t see anyone getting anywhere near double figures. Their top goal scorer has got about five goals.
“They’re still bang in trouble. Sean will know that and they need a result desperately.
“Frank walked into a poor, bang-average team. Everton is a fantastic football club, great tradition – real knowledgeable fans. If you look at the team, it’s a really average group of players, in my opinion. It’s a Championship team. I can’t see a lot when I look at them.
“They spent a few quid, they lost Richarlison who was their best player, probably.
“I think they will survive, I think Sean will just about keep them up. Unless they invest this year and if he gets a bit of backing then maybe they’ll be a bit better but, at the moment, they look very ordinary.”