I've been thinking about this a lot since the Bournemouth game. Originally I believed that match was Dyches last chance. He lost it and it was a poor display.
However I'm starting to think that if we could just provide Dyche with a couple new players, then I believe he will keep us up. And if he finishes the season more stylishly and gets up the xg and goals while keeping the xg against as it is then he could still lead us forward.
When thinking of alternatives to him, Moyes is by far the safest option as he knows the club, will have been watching all Everton games so will know their strengths and weaknesses and has a very strong track record and is perhaps an upgrade on Dyche in that he would do better in the easier games that Dyche tends to struggle in. My issue with Moyes is the timing. I still think his sacking from West Ham is relatively fresh and I'm not sure we will get the best version of Moyes right now, he's getting a bit older too, is the appetite really there now for a relegation scrap? Maybe but not guaranteed.
Potter is the other option, but the more I think about him, how good exactly is he? When he left Brighton they seemed to improve so was he actually holding them back? He was poor at Chelsea too and did he really do much at Swansea? Is he the right character for a tough job like ours? I'm not sure, it's a big risk really. If he was to come in and lose a few would it all get too much for him?
I think keeping Dyche would be the safest option but he needs to be backed strongly in this window in the exact areas that we need. If you remember right we actually look a lot more attractive to watch when irigboenum was playing but that players lack of defensive awareness put paid to that idea. It's not as though Dyche isn't capable of better football, he's just fearful of how with what's available it's a less efficient practice to use.
He does clearly have his faults Dyche, the stats are damning but crucially he is still in 16th in the league with a game in hand. He probably is the safest bet but the squad drastically needs improvement, I'm talking 3 or 4 ready to go players in the door. The right wing is not good enough, neither option is helping the team at all. The strikers need service. A more productive left back could be beneficial.
I think this is where I am at the moment.
I originally thought he has to go, but I actually think if given better resources he's the safest bet. But at the same time the owners need to give him the carrot of saying if you succeed and the signs are promising then you could earn a new contract. Because for a manager to stay who knows he will be sacked is also a massive negative as subconsciously you won't get the best out of them.
