Everton and Sean Dyche have largely been a perfect union thus far, despite all the turmoil.
He is a no-nonsense man who is happy to take on the responsibilities of this huge and troubled club, whilst the Toffees are a historic outfit that has fallen on desperately hard times.
The way in which the former Burnley man has steadied the ship is admirable, but he does keep doing one thing that lets him down.
It is so tiny that it feels harsh to point it out, but by continuing to do it he risks the future of this club in the Premier League, and the safety of his playing staff…
What does Sean Dyche keep getting wrong?
When it comes to substitutions, Dyche is hopelessly lost.
He seems to wait too long to change what is glaringly obvious, and then when he does make alterations they so often are far from what the team needs.
A shattered midfield will so often be hung out to dry whilst he replaces Dominic Calvert-Lewin with Beto for the 100th time this season, or a full-back who has struggled all game against their winger will inevitably be swapped for a 38-year-old defensive liability Ashley Young.
So often his substitutions draw groans from the fanbase, but he has so many upsides that it seems pedantic to stay frustrated over something so small.
However, it is much deeper than merely tactical.
Could substitutes really relegate Everton?
Whilst it might seem a tiny fraction of Everton’s larger, overwhelming issues, the physical toll this can have on the players could prove catastrophic.
And that includes both in the long-term, not allowing a proper rest until injury strikes, or during the game in question, by leaving a tired body out on the field.
Against Brighton, Roberto De Zerbi made all five of his subs by the 75th minute as his side chased a winner.
Against Manchester City, unable to break down the resolute Toffees, it took just 57 minutes for Pep Guardiola to enact a double chance.
Similarly, Tottenham Hotspur made all five of their substitutions too.
Meanwhile, in Everton’s last five Premier League fixtures, Dyche is yet to make a tactical substitute, one not spurred on by injury, before the 66th minute.
His side are left hanging on, completely depleted of energy after a gruelling shift largely chasing the ball, and that is where mistakes can happen.
On Saturday, the Toffees made just three in-game changes, one of which was the injury-enforced swap of Idrissa Gana Gueye and Amadou Onana. Even in the reverse fixture against the Seagulls, his side were so sluggish after spending so long without possession, and a lapse in concentration gifted them their equaliser.
He is not nearly proactive enough, even if his squad is paper thin. The 52-year-old needs to learn to trust more of his squad, and also make more intelligent substitutions too.
Otherwise, he risks throwing away many other games and injuring more of his star players, which would certainly condemn them to the drop.
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