The picture for Everton looks grim, with the women’s Super League team currently at the bottom of the table and without a win this season.

As the club prepares for the Friedkin Group’s looming takeover, it is still uncertain.

The lengthy process has had an impact on all aspects, including Everton’s ability to compete in the transfer market and keep up with investment from WSL rivals.

Manager Brian Sorensen’s problems have grown worse as a result of his recent 5-0 defeat by defending WSL champion Chelsea, which also adds to his woes:

Last week, club captain Megan Finnigan stated to Sky Sports, “The club situation obviously isn’t ideal, and that is having some effects on the women’s side.”

Because this league is constantly expanding, “I hope once the new ownership comes through we can start seeing changes.” Everton cannot be left behind.

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.

The women’s team has suffered horrendously as a result of lack of investment and total disregard by those at the top of the football team for a number of years, according to Peter MacFarlane, owner of the season-tickets.

I sympathize with those who are currently attempting to keep the club going while there is an absent owner who, in my opinion, appears to have left the football team after washing his hands and leaving.

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 did not respond directly to the criticism of the current situation, but club sources confirmed to BBC Sport that a new year’s women’s team would be visiting the stadium.

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

Fans might find comfort in watching recent investment at Roma Women, who the US-based group currently owns, though details of the Friedkin Group’s goals for the women’s team are unknown until the takeover is finished.

Sorensen insists that investment will occur, and that the circumstances do not dissuade him.

” Everyone in and around here knows]the situation], “he said on Thursday.

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”.

In order to bring in much-needed funds, Everton had to sell Sweden international Hanna Bennison to Juventus.

Because of higher salaries, top clubs missed out on players in Japan, which Sorensen claimed he had scouted years earlier.

Clubs like Everton may face additional challenges due to stringent regulations governing non-EU players entering the WSL. West Ham have also endured a talent shortage due to certain requirements that foreign players must meet in order to play in England.

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 remarked that the club needed to be “super-smart” during the summer transfer window. “We can’t just go out and spend a lot of money.

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.

Fans are getting more impatient and want to address the squad depth issue, which Everton Women’s CEO, Alan McTavish, and football director Kevin Thelwell and Sorensen are already working on for January.

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

The pressure on these players is great, especially for some of the younger players, because they have to play out of positions all over the field. This is simply unacceptable.

An injury crisis has made off-field issues more difficult.

Three players have been sidelined for the campaign this season due to ACL injuries, including Gabarro, a summer signing.

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.

With the hiring and investment, our league is growing each year. That places a different strain on the players.

“We didn’t have any overuse-related injuries or anything out of the norm”.

Players entering the WSL finding it difficult to meet the physical demands have been a result of a number of injuries that have affected Sorensen’s signings from recent windows.

Everton changed its plan this summer, focusing on WSL-based players who were used to the league’s intensity.

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

Sorensen, does he make the most of the players he has available?

Some sources told BBC Sport that problems on the pitch are being exploited to conceal subpar performances and that more can be done to improve 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 previously promoted, and this was a challenging time. We were vying for the league title back in the day against Arsenal.

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.

However, MacFarlane wonders if Sorensen’s physical regimen, which requires a lot of physical labor from his players, is appropriate for the squad that is lacking.

It is obvious to everyone that the players’ playing style is not only predictable for the opposition but also simply does not work in terms of creating chances or attempting to win football games, 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. “