Everton have endured a hugely frustrating campaign thus far, laden with misfortune and heartbreak.
However, strangely enough, it has not been the same issues provoking such emotions, but instead the solution to the problems that plagued them in the past.
An inability to create and score chances was mixed with a leakiness at the back, with the latter having been solved with remarkable ease.
And whilst chance creation has soared, their profligacy has frustratingly risen too.
It is a trend that continues to hamper their progression as a club up the Premier League table, which is leaving Sean Dyche hamstrung.
Sean Dyche on Everton’s season
Speaking after Saturday’s 3-1 loss against West Ham United, in which they fell into old traps once again, the 52-year-old cut a disgruntled figure.
So often throughout the season had he defended his players, insisting that they were making positive steps in the right direction as they missed chance after chance.
However, he exhibited was clear frustration with their inability to find the net despite the golden chances presented, as he detailed.
Dyche told Everton’s official website: ‘We had the chances today to kill the game off and control the game, which we did for large parts. But you can’t just keep not taking that many chances.
‘As you can tell, I’m frustrated by that because there’s so much good in that performance, so many good habits, but I can’t keep saying that if we’re not winning games or scoring goals.
‘That’s just bizarre for me to say that. But there has to be a truth in the performance and it’s driving me mad, because that’s another good performance, that’s a Premier League performance that probably should win and certainly should not lose. And yet we do and that’s so, so frustrating.’
Relegation threatens despite improving
When Anthony Gordon and Richarlison left in back-to-back seasons, it should have surprised few that their goal threat diminished.
However, in signing the likes of Arnaut Danjuma, Beto, Youssef Chermiti and Jack Harrison, it was thought that they had more than enough to share that burden.
However, whether it be through a lack of game time or just a lack of quality, these new faces, blended with old characters who have already let the side down so often, are once again driving the club into another relegation battle.
Even with four points back following their appeal, a five-point safety cushion is hardly a solid footing to secure safety.
They desperately need more, and Dyche needs to miraculously find it or else be forced to helplessly watch these players flop to a third straight relegation dogfight.
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