Everton are back in action again tonight, and face a must-win match as they host Doncaster Rovers in the EFL Cup.
Welcoming League Two opposition to Goodison Park, just as they did this time last year, Sean Dyche has already seen the pressure on his job ramp up massively after a torrid start to the new Premier League campaign.
Two losses, none scored and seven conceded has them propping up the table, and both he and the squad are simply desperate for some kind of relief.
Tonight could provide just that.
However, if he is to truly start winning fans back on his side, then there are a few non-negotiable decisions that he must make. This includes starting one player in particular.
Sean Dyche must start one Everton star tonight
Earlier this week, Graeme Bailey exclusively told us that Dyche’s Everton future hangs in the balance.
Referencing his team selection to start the season, which has seen new signings Jake O’Brien, Jesper Lindstrom and Iliman Ndiaye all omitted from the starting lineups, the journalist claimed: ‘Dyche is a dead man walking. He really is.
‘The performances at the club at the minute, it’s nothing to do with the new owners. I think there’s a chance Dyche could go before there’s new owners.
‘I think there’s a fair chance Dyche could be gone within weeks really. The performance we saw last weekend [against Brighton]… the team selection.
‘He’s on thin ice. If he was still Everton’s manager I’d be staggered. I’d be absolutely staggered.’
With that in mind, at the very least, it’s imperative that the latter of that aforementioned trio starts tonight. His very job could depend on it.
Everton fans have been waiting to see Iliman Ndiaye start
Signed for £15m from Marseille, Ndiaye’s acquisition marked one of Everton’s most exciting of the summer.
A skilful attacker who promises to provide something that the club has lacked for years, he has most recently endured a really tough year in France, but previously thrived in England with Sheffield United.
Branded a ‘magic’ player by journalist Quentin Gesp after completing that earlier move, following a season where he scored 14 and assisted 11 as the Blades achieved Championship promotion, the hope is that he can provide some much-needed quality to improve the squad.
Tonight marks a free hit for Ndiaye, to finally start and showcase his talents in front of his new home crowd.
Should Dyche decide against it, it could cause a pre-match furore that might spark his imminent sacking.
He cannot afford to continue alienating himself from the fans, and tonight should mark a great opportunity to start building some bridges.
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