Everton have been run into the ground over the last decade, having sacrificed the safe, solid sustainable foundation that David Moyes cultivated and replaced it with unrivalled recklessness.
Now, they are the subject of relentless punishments, having become the first club in top-flight history to be dealt two points deductions in one season.
And if fans are seeking someone to blame, they need to look no further than the owner.
Former Everton owner not happy with Farhad Moshiri
Speaking to Toffee TV, in an interview released just last night, Paul Gregg, who owned Everton for a period and sat on the board during a stint of Bill Kenwright’s tenure, offered his verdict on the club.
First chatting about the failed King’s Dock stadium, he was later asked about the current-day issues which continue to plague the Toffees.
Then, asked what he would do were he looking to now bring the club back to the apex of English football, Gregg pulled no punches.
Farhad Moshiri was the main target, whilst Sean Dyche garnered some praise. He noted: ‘I think a change in management would help [Everton return to greatness]. I mean, obviously the current owner lives in Monaco, doesn’t really get involved in the games.
‘I mean, Sean Dyche is doing a brilliant job under the most difficult circumstances, because he’s got fans on one hand wanting results. He’s got a board that doesn’t really reach out to him. And he’s there plodding on his own to make sure he can do what he can do.
‘And I’ve got huge sympathy for him at the moment. With a bit of luck, if every Evertonian believes that we can stay up we’ll stay up, and I think he can help us do that.’
Farhad Moshiri is one of the worst things to happen to Everton
Whilst it may seem strange that a billionaire purchasing the club would be the worst thing to ever happen to a club, it is arguably the hope that he promised and the lack of delivery that has made this such a disaster.
‘We need to be competitive and we need to win. We have a window to establish ourselves and we will do everything we can,’ claimed the Iranian upon acquiring a majority stake.
Well, that window is well passed now, and it’s fair to say he has failed in his exploits.
The club are now in a worse position than ever, having blown his untold riches and put themselves in the PSR firing line. Punishment after punishment now washes over the Toffees, who will seemingly be hamstrung for the next decade due to Moshiri’s recklessness.
He has plunged this once-great institution into a period of pure desolation, and now wants to jump ship, selling to the first buyer that has emerged.
Whilst some might point the finger at other key failures at Everton from years gone by, the buck stops with Moshiri.