Everton managed to avoid defeat over the weekend but had to settle for a point in their draw with West Ham.
While it wasn’t the worst outcome, three points would have been a welcome boost as the club faces a challenging run of fixtures to close out the year.
The Toffees now head into the final international break of 2024, offering a brief respite before the tough tests ahead.
There’s some optimism on the horizon, with The Friedkin Group expected to finalise their takeover in December, providing a financial lift ahead of the January transfer window.
However, with a daunting schedule looming, Everton will rue not capitalising on games like West Ham, which present an opportunity to climb the table.
Beyond the missed points, frustrations are reportedly growing within the squad, with one key player feeling constrained by his current role under Sean Dyche.
Why Iliman Ndiaye Is Frustrated Under Dyche
Everton had a busy summer transfer window despite early struggles, and the standout acquisition has been Senegal international Iliman Ndiaye.
The forward has quickly endeared himself to the Goodison Park faithful with his work rate and attacking flair.
However, concerns are emerging over how Dyche is utilising him. Ndiaye’s performances have been strong, but his positioning appears to be limiting his impact.
“You can see Ndiaye getting a bit frustrated when he’s out wide, blocked off, and wants to creep inside and get involved in the play,” former Everton defender Michael Ball told the Liverpool Echo.
“His work ethic is fantastic, and I saw his heat map at West Ham and he was basically playing like a left wing-back.
“While that’s great and commendable for him, I don’t want him doing that. If I was Vitalii Mykolenko at left-back, I’d be telling him to go away and trust me to defend.
“When he receives the ball, I don’t want him to have to run 30-40 yards with the ball before he’s even getting into their half. He did that a couple of times at West Ham.”
Ndiaye’s willingness to track back and contribute defensively is admirable, but Everton fans will hope Dyche can find a way to unleash his full attacking potential in the weeks to come.