Downtime could stir up Toffees
EVERTON fans could argue that this weekend off has come at a bad time – after their morale-boosting victory over Manchester United.
But since even rare wins have not served to build momentum at Goodison Park, the focus should perhaps be on the benefits of an enforced break.
There is no doubt that the mood around Finch Farm has lifted in the last seven days, with that win over United, and the Burnley defeat at Norwich that quickly followed.
Those results mean the Toffees now sit four points clear of the drop zone.
But boss Frank Lampard is not the sort of man to settle for relying on the failings of others to avoid relegation.
And the bleak picture painted by the club’s most recent set of accounts has also dampened his hopes of a complete Toffees reset this summer.
Senior figures remain confident they can prove the pandemic to be the main cause of the large losses contained within those latest financial results, avoiding a Premier League points deduction as a result.
Everton’s run-in is no cause for celebration.
But such a daunting schedule also offers up opportunities, including the one presented by a trip across Stanley Park to face Liverpool next Sunday.
Evertonians would love to dent their neighbours’ title charge.
And a positive result at Anfield would be a boost for the whole club.
For now, however, all focus must remain on the next game and the challenge posed by a resurgent Leicester side that will have played three times since the Toffees’ last outing, when the two meet next Wednesday.
More than a chance to collect three points, that fixture represents an opportunity for Everton to prove that this downtime has not been wasted – and a brighter finish to a forgettable season awaits.