Everton are finally back in Premier League action again tomorrow, as they travel to AFC Bournemouth in the first of two away matches across just four days.
Whilst that might have posed a daunting task in years gone by, this run will actually inspire more confidence in the fanbase than the one they will enjoy a few weeks later, welcoming Burnley, Brentford, Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United all to Goodison Park.
The Toffees’ away form has led the way for them this season, and Sean Dyche will have aspirations of maintaining that and ending his side’s winless win with a win tomorrow.
However, to do so will be far from an easy task, especially after the spirit and quality the Cherries exhibited last time out against Luton Town.
How Everton could exploit big AFC Bournemouth weakness
Whilst that famous victory was hugely impressive, in which they came from 3-0 down at half time to eventually win 4-3, it did exhibit some of their outstanding frailties too.
And these are the kind of marginal gains that Dyche will need if he is to start converting these fine performances, where his side dominates and creates chance after chance, into actual victories.
Taking a leaf out of Rob Edwards’ book perhaps it might make sense to mimic their tactical setup and start with five at the back.
After all, whilst it might surrender the midfield somewhat, the solidity it should provide would hopefully keep the likes of Dominic Solanke, Justin Kluivert and Antoine Semenyo under wraps.
When afforded space to fly into, as the Hatters ludicrously offered them in the second half, they can be deadly.
However, when starved of that, their effectiveness is severely blunted.
What should further encourage Dyche to trial is the success they have earned earlier in the season when trialling the 5-2-3 system, scoring simply victories on the road against both Aston Villa and relegation rivals Burnley.
A huge chance for Sean Dyche to end his awful run
Everton have not won a Premier League game of football since mid-December.
However, that’s not to suggest that they have not deserved to.
It would be far more alarming had the Toffees been outplayed and easily beaten in all of the matches they have played since, but instead they have impressed, being the dominant side in most affairs despite failing to conjure up that killer instinct.
But, with the space Bournemouth might afford Everton, should they play out or bypass their high press, it might finally allow for success at last.
Whilst it might seem strange to mimic what the losing side did, by forcing all of Andoni Iraola’s key men into a congested centre, Luton very nearly blew away the Cherries.
Dyche can use this blueprint, but ensure that his side’s mentality does not waver. Even for a second.
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