If those eight points hadn't been deducted, this conversation wouldn't even be happening.
We'd be in 14th place, on 35 points, with seven games left to play.
Now it's very correct to point out we AREN'T in that position, because the points HAVE been deducted. But the points deduction is not Dyche's fault or responsibility, there is absolutely nothing he could have done differently that would have prevented the points deduction. So I judge him on where he has got us to if we ignore the points deduction... And he's got us there despite having a paper-thin squad with a raft of useless non-contributors taking up space on the bench.
Is he a world-class elite manager? No.
Would I replace him if a better was available? Yes... Because we should ALWAYS be looking to improve if a better candidate becomes available.
So to those who want him sacked: who are you suggesting as a replacement? Who's available? Can we afford to sack Dyche & his staff?
If he keeps us up after an eight-point deduction, with idiots like Keane and Dele happily pocketing £80k + per week despite being completely useless, then Dyche has done the job he was hired to do. Does that mean he gets to stay forever? No, because if a better candidate is available then we should make the change.
The point is, a better candidate ISN'T available within our budget.