The transition from Goodison Park into the Hill Dickinson Stadium has not been smooth sailing for Everton and Sky Sports have played their role through their irregular scheduling.
Over the course of the season, Everton have already played just two Premier League home games in the 3pm Saturday kick-off slot.
Month Total Home Games Saturday 3pm KOs
August 1 0
September 2 1 (vs. Aston Villa)
October 2 0
November 2 1 (vs. Fulham)
December 2 0
Jan/Feb 4 0
TOTAL 13 2
Everton are set for another Monday night game at the Hill Dickinson Stadium when they welcome Manchester United next week.
David Moyes has shared his concerns about Everton’s form at the Hill Dickinson, having not won a game there since early December against Nottingham Forest.
Frustrations are growing among the fanbase as fans reminisce on the Old Lady that is now home to Everton Women over in L4.
What do you miss most about Goodison Park after months in the Hill Dickinson Stadium? 🥺
The new stadium has surpassed all expectations so far 🔥
Gary Neville quote on Goodison Park's shaky gantry.
Credit: Getty Images/Matt McNulty.
The results on the pitch have not been good enough, but Sky Sports’ scheduling of Everton’s game has not helped the relationship with the fans and the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton v Leeds United - Premier League
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Sky Sports’ Everton scheduling has emphasised Hill Dickinson Stadium issues
Due to recent fixture changes, Everton have now played more Monday night games than the permitted limit in the Premier League.
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Including Monday’s game against Man United, Everton will have hosted six games that have a 7:30pm or later kick off.
What is going so wrong at the Hill Dickinson Stadium for Everton? 😳
It is now less than one win in every three following the loss against Bournemouth… 😤
A general exterior view of Hill Dickinson Stadium ahead of the Premier League match between Everton and Bournemouth.
Credit: Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA.
That figure excludes the late Saturday and Sunday kick-off games against Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.
Everton News columnist Alan Myers has expressed concerns over Hill Dickinson Stadium’s transport links.
When fans are attempting to get home after a game has finished around 10pm, those frustrations will only grow with the demand to get home before work the next day.
Sky Sports have played a big role in rearranging a lot of these Everton home games, which has limited the number of traditional 3pm kick-offs despite the Blues not playing midweek European games.
Although the scheduling cannot be blamed for the poor performances on the pitch, the relationship with the new stadium has not developed as it might have through the Saturday afternoon games that fans love.
Everton set for more fixture changes
Everton face Chelsea in the Saturday late kick-off at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in March, but that is not the only home game to be moved for TV scheduling.
The Toffees also face Burnley on Tuesday, 3 March, with another 7:30pm kick-off for the Everton faithful to navigate.
Liverpool City Council have held meetings with Everton over stadium logistics as the relevant parties attempt to iron out the early issues.
The strain being put on the resources by the broadcasting companies cannot be helping matters, though.
By the end of March, a mere 12.5% of Everton’s Premier League games at the Hill Dickinson Stadium will have been played in the 3pm Saturday slot.
Considering two of Everton’s final three games at home this season will be the Merseyside Derby and against title-chasing Manchester City, there is a good chance those games will be placed in broadcast slots.
Better results are certainly needed on the pitch, but the Hill Dickinson Stadium’s start to life has not been aided by those who decide the fixture schedules.
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