Everton, after their torrid start to the Premier League season, were expected to endure another year of relegation scrapping.
However, few expected it to then be dominated by financial issues, with the subsequent sanctions actually the reason why they kept being dragged back into the mire.
Were it not for their accumulated eight-point deduction, survival would have been assured weeks ago.
And yet, only on Saturday did they confirm it with a comfortable win over Brentford.
Ian Wright thinks that they deserve huge praise for persisting through such turmoil when other clubs might have folded under the pressure.
Ian Wright full of praise for Sean Dyche
Speaking on his podcast, Wrighty’s House, the former Arsenal and Crystal Palace striker unsurprisingly sought to direct the bulk of his focus on the triumphant win his former side claimed in the North London Derby.
However, ever the champion of Everton for some unknown reason, the 60-year-old actually turned his attention to Sean Dyche, seeking to offer him the accolades he deserves.
The former Burnley boss took on an almighty task when he chose to inherit the mess at Goodison Park, but few can deny the job he has since done.
Now, Wright wants others to view him as the valued tactician that he is, suggesting that he deserves huge praise for navigating a side that he was ‘worried’ for earlier in the season to safety.
He noted: ‘Can I give flowers to Sean Dyche please? Tracksuit Dyche! Give him some flowers for what he’s done and everything he has had to deal with. I was worried for them.’
Everton should and could not find a better manager than Sean Dyche
Although there were justified murmurs of discontent throughout this tough season, where Dyche did lead his side on a winless run that has now claimed the club’s record for worst-ever, to ever doubt him was ludicrous.
After all, not only is he the perfect man to have in charge for such a disrupted, awkward period, but there is likely few others who would even want the job.
First off, there is nobody in charge of Everton.
Farhad Moshiri has gone awol, and is reluctant to plough any more money into an institution which he has been vocal in wanting to offload.
So, regardless of form, there is nobody to sack him and no funds to pay off his contract.
Then, even if they did dismiss the 52-year-old, who would they be able to afford to bring in, and who wants to take over a club with no money to spend and a squad clearly lacking in confidence and quality?
Dyche has led his team with incredible poise and personality, and as Wright says, deserves far more praise for what he has done this season with both hands tied behind his back.