The Biggest Threat to Everton?s Progress

Why am I so concerned about the remainder of the season and the possible implications to Everton?s long term progress? Surely our recent form, combined with the steady improvement of our management and playing staff would suggest that we could and should be playing Champions League football next season? However, there is a dark and real threat and it?s not Manchester City, Portsmouth, Aston Villa or even Liverpool — it is the football authorities.

I genuinely believe that Everton have gained the respect of most clubs in the premier league, even to the extent that they would support Everton ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea to break the dominance of the so called ?top 4?. All supporters are sick of the lack of consistency shown by the FA and Premier League and the very apparent bias toward the ?top 4?. Recent examples spring to mind that emphasise my point, but it?s not just the injustice against Everton but it is the injustice against other teams that has started to make my blood boil.

The way the FA has conducted itself recently (Middlesbrough) is absolutely disgraceful. It is worse than inconsistent and I would go as far to say that it proves that the FA is rotten to the core. Do we think the FA will use evidence to retrospectively punish the Liverpool player for raising his hands, of course not! It would be disastrous to the FA and Premier League if Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal or Man Utd were not playing Champions League Football next season.

English Football is now a global brand and subsequent revenue is imperative to sustain that position. It has been founded on an image, created by the football authorities, of 4 superpower football clubs which will promote the brand overseas. Any threat to the ?big 4? is a threat to the global brand that is English Football.

Now back to Everton, I am often frustrated by our great club and now great players when we play the game in the right way. Am I wrong to think this way, as surely this has helped to gain the respect of most football supporters? The best example is Phil Neville, he was pleading with the referee on Monday night not to send off Petrov. Did we get the same treatment from Fabregas when Arteta was sent off? We certainly didn?t get the same treatment from Gerrard when Hibbert was dismissed! Come to think of it I don?t remember any Everton players suggesting to Clattenburg that Kuyt should have been dismissed in the same game (MY BLOOD IS STARTING TO BOIL AGAIN).

It?s the same with the Johnson ?diving? claim and the impact it has had since on penalty appeals. Yet again Everton acted responsibly presenting evidence to the FA at the end of last season, but we have not had a penalty since.

There are many more examples but I think there is enough to prove my point. There is no doubt that Everton?s performance on the pitch and actions off it has gained much respect amongst football supporters but I am sure there will be more examples between now and the end of the season if Everton continue to threaten the dominance of the ?big 4?. Is it possible that the ?top 4? will always be the same teams to maintain the global brand, and teams like Everton will be respected but will never be allowed to compete on a level playing field?

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