Everton face a relegation battle again: Where has it gone wrong?

Everton have endured a disappointing season for the second year running. After years of poor investment, the team are struggling to recover and their Premier League status is again at risk. Everton have been under the control of several different managers over the past couple of seasons, but none of those have managed to deliver positive results consistently. Sean Dyche is the latest manager to come through the door but he too has also struggled to turn around Everton's fortunes.

What led to Dyche's appointment?

Dyche has taken charge of a team that is firmly involved in a relegation battle having experienced another torrid season in which poor decisions off the pitch have continued to have effects on it. In sports betting in Zambia, Everton are offered at -138 to be relegated, and bwin offers leading soccer odds as well as a wide range of offers and price boosts. Dyche has a huge job on his hands as he has been handed the task of helping a historic club avoid catastrophic relegation. But how did Everton get to this stage after displaying huge faith in Frank Lampard?

A number of players began the season on top form but the quality of their performances has faded as the season has gone on. Alex Iwobi was impressive while operating as a box-to-box midfielder in the middle of the park. Conor Coady was a crucial leader at the back and Demarai Gray was extremely threatening on the wing. Everton looked like a team that still needed huge improvements but could avoid getting lured into a relegation battle this time around.

The fans were firmly behind the former manager Lampard after he guided the club away from an unprecedented relegation from the Premier League. There was genuine belief surrounding the club but it was not repaid on the pitch. Everton began relatively well with wins over West Ham and Southampton in the opening months. But results dropped off and Everton were soon in familiar territory at the lower end of the table. A winless run of 10 games in all competitions eventually led to Lampard's sacking in January.

Dyche's impact so far

Dyche began his tenure with a surprising victory against league leaders Arsenal, however, this was not the start of a strong run of form. The Toffees suffered a defeat against Liverpool in the following fixture and have since been beaten convincingly by Arsenal in the reverse fixture. Dyche's time at Burnley is best remembered for defensive solidity, yet in his first six games in charge of Everton, the team conceded 10 goals. Scoring goals has been an even bigger issue for the Toffees, as they found the net just four times in the same period. Everton only kept two clean sheets in the first six fixtures of Dyche's time in charge, 
which is hugely problematic when they are averaging less than a goal per game. 

Everton are still leaking goals as the personnel likely does not suit Dyche's traditional style. The English coach may have to do more than simply mirror his Burnley system. Everton's approach needs to be altered, they need to play with more intensity and Dyche needs to show he can play a different style of football if the Toffees are to avoid relegation.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel