Everton fans grateful to Dyche, but ready for fresh start

LONDON : Everton's fans have been largely faithful to Sean Dyche and their club through years of under-achievement, but there will be few tears shed at the sacking of their manager on Thursday after their patience has been stretched to breaking point this season.

Despite being one of the oldest and proudest clubs in the country, Everton have become perennial occupants of the "danger zone" routinely scrabbling around trying to avoid relegation - something they have not had to face for over 70 years.

Dyche's particular talent for organising teams to avoid defeat proved enough to just about keep them up twice, even with the added challenge of a points deduction last season, but most supporters were hoping that some sort of Plan B might eventually emerge.

Unfortunately, they have been left disappointed, not just by the feeble return of three wins from 19 games, but by the stultifyingly dull way their team are playing.

Dyche's approach was epitomised by the last month. Goalless draws against Arsenal and Chelsea then a 1-1 draw at Manchester City in successive games were welcomed as three valuable and unexpected points gained, and Dyche's organisation and tactical discipline were applauded.

But they then lost 2-0 at home to Nottingham Forest and 1-0 at Bournemouth, when they barely managed a shot on goal and, more worryingly, didn't look as if they had the first clue how to manufacture one.

The 4-0 home win over Wolves on Dec. 4 looks an aberration as, either side of it, Everton have, incredibly, scored one goal in nine games and look a squad desperately short of talent.

Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored twice in 19 games and his understudy Beto has one from 12 and both of them look horribly off the pace with the few chances