Everton have been good value for safety this season, yet remain firmly entrenched in the relegation battle.
Finally punished for their financial misdeeds of the past, the last few seasons it has felt like anything goes regarding performances and play styles, just as long as they stayed afloat.
Well, after years of miserable, turgid football, supporters are growing restless.
Sean Dyche makes questionable comment after Burnley win
Speaking after his side’s unconvincing 1-0 win over Burnley, in which Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s ricocheted block from the goalkeeper’s kick spiralled into the net, Sean Dyche was surprisingly left satisfied.
He was one of few, though, with many wishing that Everton had instead put the ten-men Clarets to the sword.
However, the 52-year-old simply noted: ‘We looked at the idea of how well we’ve played this season and not won, so we deliberately tried to play long and strong and make the game as awkward and as ugly as possible and get an ugly win, and it worked.’
This was unlikely to draw much praise from supporters, with BBC journalist Phil McNulty now answering fan unrest at his comments.
He wrote: ‘I confess I winced when I heard those words because it was an open admission of very limited methods and strategy against a team who have struggled so badly in the Premier League this season.
‘Not exactly the old ‘School Of Science’ is it? – nor should it be at this stage of the season but it was certainly a sobering admission of what Everton currently are.
‘I could perhaps understand it if Everton were trying to combat Arsenal, Liverpool or Manchester City but they should surely be able to offer more than that against Burnley, who have suffered a lot in this campaign.
‘I know the comments have drawn a lot of adverse reaction from Everton supporters, even though they accept it is simply all about getting points on the board now.
‘If Everton survive and Dyche is still there next season, then the style of football will simply have to be more watchable or fans will be turned off.’
Everton’s style of play has to improve next season
Whether they stay up or go down, Everton simply have to make wholesale changes next season.
After all, they cannot continue with the same style of play. It is just too rudimentary and turgid, and whilst needs must as they seek to escape the drop, it is worth noting that they would be nowhere near the bottom three were it not for their points deduction.
So, hopefully after another summer of chopping and changing, and then kickstarting a new campaign free from the horrors of the past, there will be far less pressure and in turn scope to actually play some football.
Evertonians do not demand much from their side, with hard work a prerequisite.
And whilst the bulk of the squad now boasts that, a little bit of quality certainly would not go amiss in getting the Goodison Park crowd more invested and excited.
I can’t remember the last player that has got me up out of my seat with anticipation. For all Burnley’s failures, both of their wingers on Saturday clearly boasted a bag of tricks and the potential to do something special.
Whether it be tempting a new star for a cut price, or altering the tactical makeup in order to be a little bit more streamlined than their direct football has previously been, something does have to change.