Sean Dyche has admitted that Everton have been ‘shocked’ following the club’s 10-point deduction by the Premier League following financial breaches.
The Everton boss was speaking ahead of their game against Manchester United at Goodison on Sunday; the Toffees first match since the punishment was handed down.
The ten-point deduction saw Everton drop to second bottom in the Premier League table, two points adrift of safety.
Dyche said: “I think like everyone in these parts is, we’re shocked. Seemingly the wave of noise after that was most people in football were shocked.
“The enormity of it. Disproportionate is a word that has been used by the club. Everyone is questioning how it’s so severe.”
Despite the setback, Dyche has said that the goal for the season hasn’t changed and that his team is fully focused on delivering on the pitch.
He said:” Obviously we’re going to feel aggrieved by that. On the other hand, it doesn’t change the focus. The focus since I’ve been here has been about sorting things out on the pitch. The job hasn’t changed for me. It’s obviously made it a bit more difficult until the appeal of course.”
The former Burnley manager also praised the reaction of his squad, singling out the senior figures within the group. He said: “It’s been more about refocus than anything. The group have been really good I must say. The characters we’ve got.
“Seamus Coleman is a good voice. Ashley Young has excellent experience. James Tarkowski, Jordan Pickford, all the senior boys are rallying. It is what it is, let’s get on with it. There have been plenty of challenges since I’ve got here. This is the next one.”
The manager has echoed the sentiment of the club, who released a statement last Friday when news of the Premier League punishment came through.
The statement read: “Everton Football Club is both shocked and disappointed by the ruling of the Premier League’s Commission. The Club believes that the Commission has imposed a wholly disproportionate and unjust sporting sanction.
“The Club has already communicated its intention to appeal the decision to the Premier League. The appeal process will now commence, and the Club’s case will be heard by an Appeal Board appointed pursuant to the Premier League’s rules in due course.”
