Tomorrow is make-or-break time for Everton, who have a huge opportunity to establish a gap between themselves and the relegation dogfight.
After all, a win over Nottingham Forest would be pivotal in resigning them to the drop, especially if Luton Town can also claim a victory today.
However, the Toffees will have to achieve success with Sean Dyche’s future under rather intense scrutiny, as many sections of the fanbase having been left furious with their current run of form.
His latest comments reveal that he has no intention of going down easily though.
Sean Dyche reveals post-match talk after Chelsea defeat
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Forest match, Dyche was asked some rather probing questions regarding his future and the dangerous pattern forming at the club.
However, his answer was transparent and insightful, and he completely hit the nail on the head.
The 52-year-old noted: ‘It’s a fair question – and I have absolutely gone through this with the players. Is it now just a cycle that the club is in? Every year you want a new manager, you get a new manager, you get a bounce then six months later it’s: ‘Boo! We want him out!’ and you just keep doing that? Is that where we are at?
‘I don’t mind telling you this because people want the truth.
‘After Monday I said to them: ‘Is it that time of year again when you just want an easy life where you get a new manager in, you get a new manager bounce and everyone says hurrah?’ I said: ‘Lads, I’m not that guy. I’m staying. I’m fighting.’ If you want that to happen, you help yourselves.
‘If the fans want that to happen, so be it. I’m fighting. I’m not blaming anyone. I’ve never done that in my career and I’m not going to start now. I know the truth of what I am trying to manage here. And it is a lot. But I am up to it. If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t do it.’
Everton need to stop the managerial cycle
Whether it be through backing Dyche for the foreseeable future or trusting in whoever might come after him, this never-ending trend of cycling through managers does have to stop. Dyche is right about that.
And the fact that he can identify this, and exhibit it in such an eloquent way, suggests he is a man worth backing.
After all, it is worth remembering that were it not for two points deductions, neither of which were his fault, his side would be well safe by now.
This is a torrid run that they find themselves on, and his stubbornness can be frustrating at times.
But given his pedigree in relegation battles, his ability to operate on a shoestring budget and his knowledge of the real-world issues plaguing the club, there are few better placed to lead this side forward.