Everton have played well at times this season but not been given a reward for their efforts.
Against Brighton and Hove Albion, a fine first half gave way to a disappointing 3-0 scoreline. Then, against both AFC Bournemouth and Aston Villa, the Toffees led 2-0 before throwing it away. On all three occasions they would have been good value for a result.
Last night was not one of those examples.
In what was a real chance to play free from the pressures of the Premier League, Sean Dyche was forced to send out a severely weakened lineup with little ambition in their play.
Likely petrified of making a mistake, there were a few truly disappointing performances.
However, the pick of the bunch to underperform was arguably one of the most experienced, with Orel Mangala enduring a debut to forget.
Orel Mangala had an Everton debut to forget
Having joined the club on deadline day in the summer, he arrived with little fanfare, but quiet confidence that the midfielder might prove to be a roaring success.
After all, Idrissa Gana Gueye remains a workmanlike and tireless asset for Dyche, but one at times lacking when in possession.
The Belgian international promised to combine both this defensive prowess with a proficiency on the ball which might finally see the 34-year-old usurped from the starting lineup.
Judging by last night’s performance, that doesn’t seem likely, with Mangala struggling across a full 90 minutes.
Making just a single tackle all game tells the story of his inability to assert any dominance in the engine room, and the fact that he won a mere 50% of his total duels further emphasises this mediocrity.
However, perhaps the most damning figure was his 30 touches of the ball, even fewer than goalkeeper Joao Virginia (32), via Sofascore.
Even his 87% pass success rate does not tell the full picture, with many of his exchanges rather thoughtless and putting his teammates in positions of peril.
The £50k-a-week loanee surely cannot have earned himself a start on Saturday.
Sean Dyche’s job could hang on the Leicester City match
Especially when that Premier League match, away to Leicester City, has now become so crucial.
With Sean Dyche’s Everton future up in the air, it really feels like his job could well rest on the result earned.
It’s become a must-win game, clashing with another side also expected to be embroiled in a relegation battle this season.
Hopefully, Evertonians will be treated to a much-changed starting side for that trip to the King Power Stadium, with Mangala surely one of many to be ditched.
He will have to perform much better to justify his place in the side going forward, no matter how poor the team’s form may be.
