OVER the years, I have mentioned my description of the Premier League as either six-eight-six or seven-seven-six etcetera.

The three newly-promoted clubs and the smaller capacity grounded clubs are fighting in the bottom six and in some cases, fourth-bottom would be a successful season for them. Whereas the top six or seven are obviously the bigger clubs like Arsenal, who got just under 60,000 for the game against Southampton. And Everton are always involved with Liverpool in that group.

But surprise, surprise, look where they are at the moment. I know it isn’t the end of the season, but with the games played and nearly half a season gone, you look in the top six and where are Everton? Lo and behold, 14th.

The biggest game of the season for them is when they are at home to their local rivals Liverpool, which, unfortunately for them, they lost 4-1 earlier this month. The crowd, which you need more than ever during the game to help lift you if you are behind those goals, gave the club in general almighty stick.

And then a few days later, when probably the manager and players would’ve been happier with an away game, they had to come out and hopefully put on a winning performance against Arsenal.

Some of the crowd staged a walk out during the first half as a protest in the 27th minute, to mark the 27 years they have gone without winning a trophy.

Those who stayed were at least treated to a rare win, as Everton scored twice late on.

If anyone has ever been to Liverpool, the two grounds are basically within walking distance of each other. The supporters’ houses are literally next door to the ground.

It is as if the two grounds were put in place so that the supporters didn’t have to get a bus or train and the majority wouldn’t have a car in those days anyway. But I’ve always had a lot of admiration for both clubs.

They made visitors in the boardroom and dressing room areas very welcome. Their staff were always friendly. Liverpool of course were famous for Messrs Shankly and Paisley etcetera. Everton have a chairman called Mr Bill Kenwright, who used to be in showbusiness. I remember seeing his name being linked with a play, which was performed at the Mayflower here in Southampton.

He is still at the club after many, many years and would probably be so upset at their position, particularly when you look up the table to see their rivals, the Reds, in second place with more than double the number of points that Everton have got.

Virus spreading again

But apart from all that, when talking about league positions, down in our area, we’re all hoping that Saints can get out of the bottom six. Today we were supposed to be playing Brentford, but the game has been postponed.

The Brentford manager Thomas Frank, who is probably the only manager in the league to have arrived from Denmark, has suggested this week that all games should be called off because of the virus.

This is a very serious situation, when you hear of clubs, for instance Manchester United, having it in their dressing room and also through the staff rooms. They have had a game called off.

So, if Brentford have had it in their club, I can understand why today’s game should be off.

But whether all games should be cancelled is a serious point for discussion.

But let’s hope the right answer comes through and the cure for the virus arrives quickly.

Where is VAR?

Numbers are a big part of football, obviously. But I was interested to see Graeme Souness was apparently quite furious about poor refereeing last weekend. I think there were seven penalties given over the weekend, which was one of the most for about 20 years.

Graeme, being a pundit on television, was criticising a Leicester player called James Maddison who got a penalty in the 4-0 win over Newcastle, for which Graeme said he tumbled himself rather than being brought down.

So, has VAR finished with the game now? Or was Graeme right? When the tackle was played over and over again on TV, it was fairly obvious the player knew what he was doing and it was not really a foul.