Everton might have beaten Newcastle United on Monday but, contrary to Sam Allardyce’s comments, it was a woeful performance.
It is fair to say that Sam Allardyce is not a particularly popular figure at Everton right now.
After steering the Toffees clear of relegation danger, Allardyce has failed to inspire a side that many felt should be capable of pushing on towards the top four.
And so his protestations that he is doing his job have fallen on deaf ears, prompting a fan survey on Allardyce’s reign that drew the ire of the Everton boss – as reported by FourFourTwo.
A banner unveiled before Monday’s match with Newcastle United poked fun at Allardyce and the survey, telling him to “Get out of our club”.
Allardyce and Everton needed a result at Goodison Park but, more importantly, they also needed a performance. They got one but not the other.
An awful game of football was won by Theo Walcott’s goal, but Newcastle ended the match on top and could well have snatched a point as Everton dropped deeper and deeper.
Therefore, to see Allardyce – talking to Sky Sports – claiming that Everton “completely dominated the game” and telling fans “you can’t knock our football” is likely to have grated.
Even with a win, the former Newcastle boss has likely further damaged his reputation in the eyes of his club’s fans.
If Allardyce cannot make victories enjoyable, and then not even acknowledge a poor performance, few could blame supporters for having had enough of his rugged style.
To weaken your standing with a triumph is quite something, but Allardyce will continue to do so as long as Everton perform so dismally.
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