Dominic Calvert-Lewin says that he feels there is a unity among the squad following the shock recommendation of a 10-point penalty from the independent commission into Everton’s spending rules breach.
After Director of Football Kevin Thelwell said on the official website that the club as a collective will use the unpredented and controversually harsh censure as “additional fuel”, the Blues’ No.9 became the first player to speak out following last Friday’s announcement of the ruling.
With The 1878s fan group having raised around £40,000 for the production of banners, signs and the rental of a plane to fly over the Etihad Stadium tomorrow ahead of Manchester City’s televised clash with Liverpool, Evertonians have been galvanized by the commission’s decision.
A group of supporters will kick off a weekend of organised, peaceful protest with a gathering outside the Premier League’s headquarters at 5:30pm this Friday evening.
An “atmosphere march” will then take place before Everton’s game against Manchester United on Sunday, starting at The Brick pub at 3:45pm with the aim of getting to Goodison Park by 4:05.
The stadium itself will feature an array of banners with defiant messaging ahead of a match that is expected to be played in front of another famously febrile Goodison atmosphere.
“I’ve played in a lot of games against United at Goodison, and the atmosphere is always incredible,” Calveet-Lewin said. “I expect the weekend to be no different – if not, more electric.
“I’m sure the fans will be ready. Us as players, we’ll prepare the same as normal and make sure we’re ready to put in a performance and collect the three points.
“I think, given the circumstances, I’ve sensed a lot of unity and togetherness. We were off on the international break when the news broke, but coming back in this week, I don’t feel like it’s fazed us players.
“We know, as a group, we can’t affect that. All we can affect is what’s in front of us, and that’s the game on Sunday, so we’re looking forward to that.”
