‘Crucial period’ for Sean Dyche as ‘pressure will build’ if Everton drop more points
Journalist Matt Jones has shared his view that pressure will start to build on Everton manager Sean Dyche if results continue to go against his side in the coming weeks.
Jones described the period between now and the next international break as “crucial”, claiming that regardless of the off-field situation the boss has had to deal with, there will be huge pressure if they continue to struggle.
Everton face Arsenal and Brentford in their next two games, which could prove to be tricky, but then face Luton and Bournemouth, both at Goodison Park and will be targeting six points from those games.
Writing via the Liverpool Echo’s writers column on 15 September, Jones claimed: “Points are imperative. Initially, they might not be easy to come by. Regardless of their rotten record at Goodison Park, Arsenal are heavy favourites for Sunday’s game.
“Brentford too are a tough outfit to stifle, especially on their own patch and especially when you consider Everton’s away record. It means the two home games before the next international break against Luton Town and Bournemouth are likely to be must-win encounters.
“Six points from those and the Blues should be in lower midtable come mid-October when international football is the focus again. Anything less will surely see them in the bottom three with a trip to Anfield to come.
“For manager Sean Dyche, it’s a crucial period. Points in his next two games would be a big bonus, but in the two home fixtures that follow wins are paramount.
“If they don’t come then the pressure will be huge on the head coach, regardless of the difficult conditions in which he is having to work on Merseyside.”
Home form will be crucial
If Everton are looking to stay up this season, their form at Goodison Park will be crucial to their survival push. Dyche is a specialist in earning results at home, but losses against both Fulham and Wolves this season will be viewed as missed opportunities for his side.
Despite dominating both games, the Toffees failed to score in either, as they failed to earn a single point from either game. Against Luton and Bournemouth, repeats of that trend will not be acceptable, and would lead to pressure mounting.
With each passing weekend, fears at Goodison Park grow stronger that they could face another tight relegation battle, with just one point in their opening four games this season spelling danger.
There is, of course, the possibility that Dyche’s side pick up points against either Arsenal or Brentford if not both. While both teams are outperforming the Toffees, their record against Arsenal in particular stands out and a shock could be on the cards there.
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