Everton and Nottingham Forest could be relegated from the Premier League for attempting to show “ambition”, says Martin Samuel.
The Times journalist wrote in his column on the paper’s website on 12 March that Burnley and Sheffield United were among “the poorest teams ever to play in the Premier League” but suggested their weak squads may end up being the “smarter move” over investing in players like the Toffees did “haphazardly”.
While arguing that spending rules are ruining the league if former winners Leicester face sanction should they be promoted Samuel suggested that a second points deduction for Everton, or a first at Forest, would damage the product by saving sides as bad as the Blades or the Clarets from the drop.
Samuel wrote: “There is a possibility that one of Burnley or Sheffield United — two of the poorest teams ever to play in the Premier League — may survive this season, if harsh judgments are made against Everton and Nottingham Forest. Imagine that. A team loses 8-0, 6-0 and 5-0 on four occasions and stays up.
“Sheffield United sold two of their best players just before the season started, and by the time a supermarket sweep of mediocre talents to get the squad numbers up had been completed, the season was already under way. Yet in the Premier League’s warped world, this may turn out to be the smarter move than trying to invest in players — albeit haphazardly — and attempting ambition, as Forest and Everton did.”
He added: “There has been talk of records set, particularly by Sheffield United, who have conceded 74 goals with ten games still to play. Yet, if punishments demote Everton and Forest, another record could go: that of the lowest points total required to stay in the division. Who pays to watch football of such poor standard, however, is anybody’s guess.”
