This is it, though, mate. This isn’t misfortune. It isn’t the players not carrying out his instructions, the opposition just being better or luckier, or anything else beyond his control.
Everything about that performance, setup and subs screams that he was playing for the draw. That’s not “a bad day” in terms of any of the above, it’s - and I apologise for repeating myself - a combination of cowardice and tactical ineptitude. It’s a glimmer of another manager gone by January.
Of course, the circumstances could have got to him. He might learn from this or just count on not having to make that same call in the future because we won’t be scrapping for safety.
Such is life as an Evertonian, though, that “gone by January” is my first thought!!