Former Scotland striker Ally McCoist has expressed his sympathy for Everton fans.
Everton have endured a difficult few seasons. In recent campaigns, the Merseyside outfit have found themselves repeatedly fighting for survival in the Premier League, whilst the club’s financial situation has gradually worsened.
There have been far too many poor signings and misguided managerial appointments at Everton in recent years. The Toffees now find themselves in a somewhat desperate situation.
Sean Dyche was appointed last season to steady the ship at Goodison Park, and was ultimately just able to steer the club clear of relegation thanks to a positive result on the last day of the campaign.
However, he has overseen a pretty disastrous start to the new term. The Toffees lost their first three Premier League matches of the new season, without registering a single goal. They were able to snatch a point with a 2-2 draw against newly-promoted Sheffield United at Bramall Lane last time out, but face a tough test up against Arsenal on Sunday.
Everton weren’t able to strengthen as much in the summer as they would have liked. Attacking reinforcements were sourced in the form of Beto, Jack Harrison, Arnaut Danjuma, and Youssef Chermiti.
No new faces were brought in to bolster the midfield contingent, though. Veteran full-back Ashley Young, picked up on a free transfer, was also the only addition at the back. In the meantime, the likes of Alex Iwobi, Demarai Gray, Neal Maupay, and Yerry Mina, amongst others, all left the club.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
McCoist sees Everton and Newcastle parallels
Ally McCoist feels that comparisons can be drawn between the Toffees’ current predicament and how Newcastle United fared under the ownership of Mike Ashley. Speaking on TalkSport, the pundit said, “I’ve got to say, I’m in the same boat as I was with Newcastle fans for many years, with Everton fans. You’ve got to have a great degree of sympathy with them.”
“You look at Everton fans and Newcastle fans as similar, in the respect of the way they support their club…Newcastle for years and years and years were wanting new ownership and new direction, and I think Everton are in the exact same position as Newcastle have been.”
Both Everton and Newcastle are big, historic clubs with passionate fanbases. McCoist is correct that there are similarities, and Everton fans will be hoping that the Toffees can soon match the recent progress that the Magpies have made.