Everton will go into tomorrow’s game against Nottingham Forest heavily reliant on a staunch home support.
After all, throughout these past three tumultuous years, they have remained as passionate as ever, roaring on every tackle, press and goal when called upon.
From welcoming the player’s bus in a cloud of blue smoke to setting up banners and flag arrangements inside the ground, at least the fans are not willing to let this club go down without a fight.
Now, the players need only match that energy.
However, things at Goodison Park are not always golden, with one pundit outlining this.
Glenn Murray and Clinton Morrison drop Goodison Park verdict
Speaking on last night’s BBC Radio 5 Live, commentator Darren Fletcher spoke to Clinton Morrison and Glenn Murray ahead of this huge relegation crunch match.
It was the latter who kickstarted the conversation, suggesting that whilst the Toffees should be alright, Goodison Park might not be the ally they hope it will be.
He noted: ‘I’ve been one of those people that have always said ‘Everton will be fine, Everton will be fine,’ for three years. And yet, they just seem to get closer and closer.
‘I don’t know what’s going on at the club, at the moment it just seems toxic for whatever reason, and I know if Forest can stay in that game… I was at the Forest game at the weekend when they drew with Wolves, and they were good.
‘I know that if they could hold out for 20 minutes that place could really turn.’
Morrison concurred: ‘I think Muz is spot on. And you know Forest they have the pace in their team to cause problems.
‘I look at Everton and I just think: how is Sean Dyche going to change it? How are they going to score goals? No Calvert-Lewin. Beto hasn’t hit the ground running there. Who else is going to contribute goals? Doucoure maybe coming from a number ten, or do they hope from a set piece with Tarkowski?
‘But I’m looking at Forest, Forest can create something. I think Forest will be alright.’
Everton can exploit Nottingham Forest weakness tomorrow
For many months now, the football Everton have played has not been good.
Sean Dyche was a manager famed for his uncompromising tactics that delivered the necessary results to stay in the division. Last season they survived by the skin of their teeth. This season they might not be so fortunate.
After all, they are failing to deliver those much-needed wins, and if such a turgid style of play cannot deliver the necessary points, fans are bound to grow restless.
However, tomorrow against a Forest side with far more firepower than the Toffees, perhaps his defence-first outlook might prove pivotal
Especially against a side with such an outstanding fragility, which coincidentally aligns with one of Everton’s main strengths.
If Dyche is smart, he will seek to frustrate the visitors and hit them on the break when possible. Then, playing for set-pieces will likely send alarm bells ringing amongst this Forest side.
That is where they can really hurt them.