James Garner has urged the Everton fans to stick with the team as they battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
The Toffees produced a largely dismal display against Crystal Palace last night, managing a 1-1 draw thanks to Amadou Onana’s late header.
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The Goodison Park crowd was quick to show its disapproval with boos greeting the half-time and full-time whistles. The draw at least saw Everton climb out of the bottom three at Luton’s expense but they remain precariously placed.
The club desperately needs clarity on its appeal against a 10-point punishment imposed for breaches of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability guidelines.
That is expected this week and a positive outcome would almost instantly erase a lot of the negativity surrounding the blue half of Merseyside.
Garner told The Guardian: “I can understand the fans’ frustrations but there is so long to go and we need the fans to be supporting us and not booing us. That is important going forward.
“It is a long season and there are a lot of teams down there fighting, but you could see in the last 20 minutes we are still going until the end and creating chances. I understand the frustration because I am frustrated myself. It is another game that got away from us that we should be looking to win.”
Rising high to nod home 💪 PIC.TWITTER.COM/C3Q2YQVZVL
— Everton (@Everton) FEBRUARY 20, 2024
Everton’s run of games without a goal from open play was extended to nine in all competitions but Garner insists the focus should not solely be on striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is without a goal in 19 matches.
He added: “It is a concern if you are not scoring goals, as goals win games, but it is not just the strikers who we should be relying on to score goals.
“We need to be chipping in from all places. But it is a bit of a concern if we are not putting the ball in the back of the net when we should be.”
Garner admits it will be a relief to know the outcome of the appeal and where they stand entering the final weeks of the season.
“Me personally, it plays on my mind,” said the former Manchester United midfielder.
“Without the 10-point deduction we would be much higher in the league table so, whenever that comes in, I will be waiting.”
