Everton have endured another truly unforgiving campaign, in which nothing has really gone their way.
On the pitch, brief spells of good form have been massively offset by barren runs without wins, the likes of which they are currently enduring.
And off it, their ongoing PSR issues have condemned them to one deduction already, with another potentially right around the corner.
Nothing is ever easy with the Toffees, but it feels like should they stay afloat this season they will be through the worst of it.
The return of Seamus Coleman could prove pivotal in ensuring that is the case.
What pundit Keith Treacy said about Seamus Coleman
Having amassed six caps for the Republic of Ireland and featured for the likes of Blackburn Rovers, Preston North End and Burnley across a fine 11-year career, the Keith Treacy is best placed to comment on the national side.
Especially when he is being so complimentary towards Everton’s captain, who starred in a right-wing-back role against Belgium last week in what was his first appearance for his country in around 12 months.
This has been a campaign littered with injuries for the 35-year-old, but upon his return, he shone against two very impressive Premier League wingers.
Treacy would detail this, speaking on the Off The Ball podcast: ‘Look I thought Seamus did a great job, done a really good job up against Trossard and then obviously Doku with an absolute bag of tricks, so Seamus was brilliant.
‘People were saying to me at 35 how long has he got left? I know he’s had some bad injuries and it will probably come back and get him at some point but he looks after his body well and I think another couple of years with Seamus, I don’t see why not.
‘Matt Doherty is not exactly pushing him so, with his leading ability, I would keep him around the camp for as long as possible.’
The captain set to lead Everton to safety
Should this mark a true return to fitness for Coleman, it comes at the perfect time for Sean Dyche, who has struggled to secure a nailed-down player for his right-back spot.
Not only will his quality shine through, as the £55k-a-week veteran offers the fine blend of defensive solidity and offensive inteligence that has been missing, but also his leadership should help steady a sinking ship that is desperately trying to attain safety before the season’s end.
First persisting with Ashley Young in that role, much to the dismay of fans, the eventual reemergence of Ben Godfrey offered brief respite as he instilled far more stability within the back four.
But, with nothing to give going forward, and it severely blunts this Everton side.
Coleman should solve that issue, and after this much-needed break from club football, potentially prove to be the catalyst that leads this side away from the relegation zone once again.