Bottom of WSL & no wins - why are Everton struggling?

Everton are bottom of the WSL table with two points from six matches

Bottom of the table and without a win in the Women's Super League this season - the picture looks bleak for Everton.

The club remain in limbo as they await the impending takeover by the Friedkin Group, which is set to end a protracted process involving several other parties.

The wait has affected all areas, including the women's team - where it has hit Everton's ability to compete in the transfer window and keep up with investment by WSL rivals.

Serious injuries have added to manager Brian Sorensen's woes and a 5-0 defeat by defending WSL champions Chelsea last weekend added to the sense of multiple issues, including:

• Criticism by fans of a "ridiculously unbalanced" squad which has put "huge pressure" on young players who have been used out of position

• An injury crisis, including three players out with torn anterior cruciate ligaments (ACLs), means January signings are "essential" - but transfer budget is minimal

• Sorensen's style has been questioned with some sources feeling off-field issues are being used to cover up bad performances

• The takeover saga is unsettling - but investment in Roma Women by the Friedkin Group gives hope for the future.

Captain Megan Finnigan told Sky Sports last week: "The club situation right now obviously isn't ideal and that is impacting the women's side in some ways.

"Once the new ownership comes through hopefully we can start seeing changes for the better because this league is ever growing. Everton cannot be left behind.

"We need to eradicate the sloppiness. I don't know the answer right now because it has not been the easiest of starts to the season. It needs to happen soon."

'Takeover can't come soon enough'

Alongside the difficulties on the men's side, Everton's women have also regressed, finishing sixth, eighth and now sitting bottom in the early stages of this season's WSL.

Season-ticket holder Peter MacFarlane told BBC Sport: "The women's team have suffered horrendously due to lack of investment and total disregard by those at the top of the football club for a number of years now.

"I feel for those who are currently trying to keep the club going during a time where we have an absent owner who, in my opinion, appears to have washed his hands of the football club and walked away."

There are reasons to be hopeful, however.

The Friedkin Group's takeover is on course to go through by the end of the year and Everton's new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock is almost finished.

Everton declined to comment officially on criticism of the current situation, but sources at the club told BBC Sport there are plans for the women's team to visit the stadium in the new year.

WSL matches are also due to be hosted there occasionally, as they have been at Goodison Park - including next weekend's Merseyside derby.

While details of the Friedkin Group's ambitions for the women's team are unknown until the takeover is complete, fans could take comfort in viewing recent investment at Roma Women - who the US-based group currently own.

Sorensen maintains hope investment will come and said he has not been fazed by the circumstances.

"Everyone in and around here knows [the situation]," he said on Thursday.

"That doesn't change where we are right here, right now. We can't spend money we don't have. We have to get the most out of it."

Navigating a transfer window with no money

Brian Sorensen joined Everton in 2022 from Danish side Fortuna Hjorring

The extent of the women's team's financial situation was most apparent during the summer.

Sorensen said they turned down a pre-season trip to Australia, not because of finances but logistics. However, he admitted it was "a gamble we can't afford".

Everton had to sell highly-rated Sweden midfielder Hanna Bennison to Juventus in order to bring in much-needed funds.

They missed out on players in the Japanese market - who Sorensen said he had scouted years previously - because top clubs offered higher salaries.

Stringent rules on non-EU players coming to the WSL can also be a barrier for clubs like Everton. Foreign players have to meet certain requirements to be eligible to play in England and that limits the talent pool - something West Ham have also endured.

Sevilla duo Inma Gabarro and Toni Payne were among Everton's highest-profile signings, while existing WSL-based players Honoka Hayashi, Melissa Lawley and Veatriki Sarri were seen as 'low-risk' options who did not need time to adapt.

Sorensen said during the summer transfer window the club "can't just go out and spend a lot of money so we have to be super-smart".

In reality, the budget for the women's team has not decreased since 2021 - when former manager Willie Kirk targeted a top-three finish.

However, the market has become more expensive since then. Transfer fees are now common, while player salaries have increased.

Everton Women's chief executive officer Alan McTavish, director of football Kevin Thelwell and Sorensen are already working on recruitment for January - but fans are growing impatient and want the lack of squad depth addressing.

"Immediate investment in recruitment is essential. We have such a ridiculously unbalanced squad," said supporter MacFarlane.

"The pressure on these players is huge, especially on some of the younger players, having to play out of position all over the pitch - this simply is not good enough."

MacFarlane also calls for future development of the club's Walton Hall Park stadium, which he says will help "grow the fanbase and attract new supporters".

The impact of injury crisis

Off-field difficulties have been compounded by an injury crisis.

This season, three players have sustained ACL injuries which have ruled them out for the campaign - including summer signing Gabarro.

Seven first-team players are currently out through injury, with others filling in out of position and academy youngsters fast-tracked.

"Last year, 70% of the injuries were related to the national teams," said Sorensen earlier this season.

"Our league is getting stronger every year with the recruitment and investment. That puts a different load on the players.

"We didn't have any overuse-related injuries or anything out of the norm."

A number of the injuries have affected Sorensen's signings from recent windows, with players coming into the WSL struggling to meet the physical demands.

It led to Everton changing direction this summer, targeting WSL-based players who were used to the intensity of the league.

The club regularly review injuries. There is a weekly document put together by the medical team, overseen by senior figures, which highlights potential overloading.

But the injuries have had a domino effect. A small squad is not being rotated so players are taking on extra load and Everton have struggled to cope - with just one goal scored in the league so far.

Inma Gabarro sustained an ACL injury two months after joining Everton

'The manager needs to find a way to win'

So is Sorensen getting the best out of the players he has available?

Some sources told BBC Sport that issues off the pitch are being used to cover up bad performances and more can be done to pick up results.

Ex-Everton striker Toni Duggan told Sky Sports after the defeat by Chelsea: "I still believe, and I hope, that the hierarchy are involved in the women's team and are bothered by the results.

"Everton were relegated in the past and it was such a difficult time. Back in the day, we were competing with Arsenal for the league title."

Sorensen said he was pleased with performances, aside from heavy defeats by Brighton and Chelsea, and sources at the club maintain support for the manager.

But MacFarlane questions whether Sorensen's style - which demands a lot physically from his players - is suitable for the depleted squad available.

"It's plain for all to see that the style of football which the players are being forced to play is not only predictable for the opposition but also simply does not work in terms of creating chances or trying to win football matches," he said.

"I feel sympathy for Sorensen in terms of the lack of support financially, and the horrendous injuries, but he has to find ways to win with the squad that is available."

The club are certainly not panicking. But a pivotal period continues with a trip to newly-promoted Crystal Palace on Sunday (14:00 GMT), before the Toffees host Liverpool at Goodison.