Why Sean Dyche is Still the Man for Everton’s Survival Battle
Everton’s turbulent relationship with the Premier League has been far from smooth sailing in recent seasons.
After a challenging start to the current campaign, many are calling for a managerial shake-up, with Sean Dyche finding himself at the centre of speculation.
However, former Everton winger Pat Nevin insists that sacking Dyche now would be nothing short of disastrous.
Nevin, a figure whose tenure at Goodison Park between 1988 and 1992 saw him make 150 appearances, believes that despite the rough start, Dyche remains crucial to the club’s long-term survival.
Speaking candidly, Nevin didn’t hold back on the consequences Everton could face if they were to pull the trigger on Dyche.
“I think Everton could easily sack Sean Dyche soon if things don’t turn around, and that would be the biggest mistake they have made,” Nevin told Jackpotjoy. “That’s saying a lot after these last few years as the club has made a lot of mistakes.”
Nevin’s comments come as Everton prepare for another crucial game, still chasing their first league win of the season.
The Toffees’ struggles have been well documented, but for Nevin, the fact that Dyche kept Everton in the top flight last season underlines why the club should remain patient with the manager.
Fighting Against the Odds
Everton’s 2023/24 season was far from straightforward. Facing the unprecedented pressure of two separate points deductions, the club still managed to avoid relegation with Dyche at the helm.
Nevin argues that this achievement is a testament to Dyche’s ability to outperform expectations in a high-pressure environment.
“Dyche has overperformed beyond belief in the time that he’s been with Everton,” Nevin said.
“They have had a small budget for buying players over the last few years, they had points deducted and, despite this, he has kept them afloat in the Premier League.”
It’s not just the financial constraints or points penalties that Dyche has had to contend with. Everton started last season much like they’ve started this one—without a win in their first five matches.
Yet, by the end of the campaign, they had secured their Premier League status with relative comfort, avoiding the final-day drama that had become familiar in recent years.
They also achieved their first Merseyside Derby victory at Goodison Park in over 13 years, an emotional high point for fans during a difficult season.
For Nevin, last season’s success in the face of adversity is proof of Dyche’s capabilities. “You only need to look at last year’s league table and see where Everton would have finished without the points deduction to realise that Sean Dyche has done an excellent job since he has been at Everton,” he said.
Without the sporting sanctions, Everton would have matched the points tally of 11th-placed Brighton, a remarkable feat considering the circumstances.
Nevin even went as far as to suggest that Dyche should have been a contender for the Manager of the Season award.
“I believe Dyche could have been manager of the season last year, considering the circumstances. He did an excellent job with everything going against the club, but he massively overperformed,” he said.
A Rocky Start, But No Need to Panic
Despite Dyche’s strong finish last season, this campaign has started in familiar fashion, with Everton struggling to find their feet.
A particularly poor showing in the opening match against Tottenham raised alarm bells, but Nevin insists that the Toffees have been competitive in their other fixtures, even if the results haven’t reflected that.
“Everton were terrible against Spurs at the start of the season, but since then, in reality, all the other games have been competitive,” Nevin explained. “They should have more than a single point so far.”
Injuries have played a significant part in Everton’s early-season woes. Several key players, including young star Jarrad Branthwaite, have been sidelined, forcing Dyche to shuffle his line-ups.
But Nevin urges patience, pointing out that it’s still early days in the long Premier League season. “It’s so early in the season and nothing is won or lost in September,” he said.
For Nevin, the injury problems highlight why this is not the time for rash decisions.
“They’ve got their best player out injured at the moment, Jarrad Branthwaite, and there is no way they would be leaking so many goals with him in the side,” he explained.
“He’s a special player and I’ve been talking about him since his debut, there’s a reason big clubs were after him in the summer.”
Indeed, Branthwaite’s absence has been felt keenly. The 21-year-old centre-back, who returned from a successful loan spell with PSV Eindhoven, is regarded as one of Everton’s brightest talents.
His potential return to the first team could be pivotal in stabilising Everton’s defence, which has looked vulnerable at times this season.
The Bigger Picture at Everton
It’s not just the on-field issues that complicate the situation at Goodison Park. Off the pitch, Everton are navigating significant upheaval, with the club set to move to their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock in the near future. Meanwhile, there’s also the looming prospect of a takeover, adding to the uncertainty.
For Nevin, the combination of these factors means that sacking Dyche now would be a huge mistake.
“Adding a Dyche sacking into the mix would be a horrendous decision, if they do sack him, they would be shooting themselves in the foot,” he warned.
Nevin acknowledges that Evertonians are understandably nervous, especially with the spectre of relegation always lurking in the background.
But he urges fans to take a step back and remember that there’s still plenty of time for Dyche to turn things around.
“There’s always a fear of relegation in the back of the mind but it’s a long season,” he said.
With key players returning from injury and a proven track record of resilience, Nevin is confident that Dyche remains the best man for the job.
“I’m nowhere near as worried as many other Evertonians are,” he concluded.
Everton’s survival hopes may look shaky, but for Nevin, it’s clear: patience with Dyche could be the key to staying in the Premier League.