Everton’s new manager Sean Dyche has appealed to the club’s frustrated fan base for unity ahead of his first game in charge tomorrow afternoon.
Dyche faces a baptism of fire as the Toffees boss, as Everton welcome league leaders Arsenal to Goodison Park, with the Blues slumped in 19th place in the Premier League table.
A challenging debut fixture indeed, compounded by the fact that Everton failed to recruit a single new player in the January transfer window, despite selling winger Anthony Gordon to Newcastle United for £45 million.
The fracture between Evertonians and the club has probably never been as stark as it currently is, as a disgruntled fan base mobilizes itself to remove the negligent and amateurish board of directors from their seat of power.
However, Dyche has appealed that the club’s supporters get behind the team, stressing the importance of unity ahead of a scrap for Premier League survival.
The Everton manager said, “This is a proud football club with a rich history and I’ve got to earn my part of that.
I’ve been in Goodison when it’s rocking and it’s interesting when you’re on the other side.
I want that atmosphere.
The message is clear: unity. We have to.
Even the most disgruntled Evertonians needs to give us a chance because their backing is very important.
I’m reaching out to them: we’ll give you honesty, work ethic, and all we ask is give us a window to breathe, to get ourselves going.”
There is no doubt that Dyche will get his wish, and as Evertonians showed last season, their unparalleled support can be the difference between survival and relegation.
However, while their will be support for the new manager and his players, protests against the inept custodians of Everton Football Club will continue at pace, with a peaceful demonstration planned prior to kick-off tomorrow.