Shay Given describes the relegation battle as ‘disorder’ following point deductions for Everton and Nottingham Forest.

Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given has weighed in on the current situation at the bottom of the Premier League table. Nottingham Forest, currently in 16th place, had four points deducted for breaching the Profitability and Sustainability Rules. However, their appeal is yet to be heard, leaving the teams in the relegation zone uncertain about their standings.

Given described the situation as chaotic and tough for the managers, players, and everyone involved in the bottom of the table. The uncertainty surrounding Forest’s appeal makes it difficult to determine how many points are needed to avoid relegation. This lack of clarity can affect the psychology of the players and managers, leading to distractions and potentially poor performances on the pitch.

Everton, another team in the relegation fight, also faced a points deduction earlier in the season for breaching the same rules. Initially, they lost 10 points, but the deduction was reduced to six points on appeal. Given highlighted how this affected Everton’s performance, as they went on a poor run after initially getting the points back.

The appeal not only affects Forest and Everton but also other teams in the relegation battle, such as Luton. The delay in the appeal process creates uncertainty in terms of recruitment and planning for the future. If Forest’s appeal is successful, it could change the relegation picture, potentially pushing Luton back into the danger zone.

Despite the uncertainty, Forest is in a relatively stable position as they know the worst-case outcome is losing four points. However, the appeal process has created a messy situation for all the clubs involved, making it far from ideal as the season approaches its conclusion.