'I know the Everton fans well, the owners have caused a terrible situation and there are three ways to fix it'
Everton owners The Friedkin Group must become more visible at the top of the club if they are to repair their troubled relationship with the fans.
That is according to former Toffees chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes it is one of the hardest tasks in football ownership to get the fans back onside after protests have taken place.
Supporters are currently avoiding spending money on food and drink at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in a bid to damage the club's coffers as a show of discontent towards the ownership.
Wyness outlined that it is "terrible" that the relationship between the two parties has been allowed to get to this stage, but also feels it is the fans who are in the right.
Recent reports have suggested that Dan Friedkin is still yet to watch a gain at the Hill Dickinson, despite the new stadium now being into its second season in operation.
Wyness believes that something simply has to change if the fans are to come back onside, but he does not expect Friedkin to show much effort to change the current situation.
Friedkins at risk of huge 'mistake' at Everton
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that the Friedkins are at risk of making a huge "mistake" if they simply wait for the fans' discontent to blow over.
Instead, the Scottish businessman believes that the club hierarchy have no choice but to listen to the fans' grievances and accept the mistakes that they have made in recent months as a starting point.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness explained his concern that Friedkin may not be interested in fixing the relationship.
"It's probably one of the most difficult things to do, and it's terrible that it's got to this stage. When it gets to withdrawal like this of actual money and the ability to put revenue into the ground, then it's difficult for the club," he said.
"What I'm worried about is that the club are going to think this is just another PR problem and they're going to try and wait it out and hope it blows over, and that isn't going to happen.
"I know the Everton fans well, and I trust them to be genuine and authentic about their protest, and I think that that's something that would be a mistake.
"They've got to show that they're listening and acknowledge first of all the mistakes that have been made. There's got to be a lot more access to the top levels, and I don't just mean Angus (Kinnear) as CEO; I mean we've got to start seeing the Friedkins turning up for games, otherwise it'll be a problem.
"Then they've got to show support for (David) Moyes in January. So those are the three things that can fix it, but I'm not really sure that the Friedkin group are of that interest."
Amanda Staveley backed to get 'seat at Everton table'
Former Manchester City financial advisor Stefan Borson told Football Insider last week that Amanda Staveley may be able to "get a seat at the table" of Everton ownership for a fee of around "£150million."
The Friedkins are now actively searching for majority investment in the club, and Borson believes that it is highly likely to appeal to Staveley as a project.
She has been linked with several Premier League clubs in recent months, and is desperate to get back into the world of football business.