'Everton are soft' - McNulty

Chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions following the return to Premier League football after the international break.

Chris asked: It’s never ending misery for Everton fans. How long has Dyche got? Is there actually a manager on the planet who can salvage this wretched football club?

Phil replied: Hello, Chris. Everton have made it clear Sean Dyche still has the support of the club’s hierarchy behind the scenes and at the moment it does not look as if anyone has the power or is inclined to make a managerial change even if they wanted to, that is even before you get to the financial implications of such a decision.

Dyche did a fine job last season after another terrible start but this has been worse and the manager needs to find solutions fast.

The problem will come if Everton keep losing. Dyche’s big selling point in the past was his ability to produce sides that were hard to score against, as Everton were last season. This season they have conceded 13 goals in four league games, twice losing 2-0 leads. They are soft and the continued presence of Ashley Young and Michael Keane demonstrates the paucity of resources.

Everton simply cannot afford to get relegated with the new stadium coming next season, which will focus minds, and there is a sense of inevitability that if new owners come in, they will want their own manager.

Dyche is into the final season of his contract with no indication he will be offered a new deal, which suggests change will come eventually, even if it is for the start of next season.

As for the manager who can save Everton….can I have a long think about that one?