Everton Stastitics for the next four games examined…..

The Blues actually played well in both of those matches and should have done much better considering the gilt-edged chances they carved out, especially against former manager Marco Silva’s side on the opening day. They didn’t of course and it was gutting for their loyal but long-suffering fanbase but there were genuine mitigating circumstances.

Whether we like it or not, it must be remembered that these were two equivalent fixtures that Everton were also beaten in last season and the same goes for Aston Villa away, although if we’re going to be fair, there cannot be any excuses for the shambolic manner in which they were torn apart in the West Midlands in their first away game at a ground where they’ll return later this month for a Carabao Cup tie. The Blues lacked a genuine focal point to the attack in both their home matches but that has now been remedied by the signing of Beto who can hopefully now become a genuine like-for-like alternative to Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Also, Dwight McNeil, who was last season’s top scorer as well as being one of the main supply line of crosses to the centre-forward was also absent and only came on as a second half substitute at Sheffield United last time out for his first outing of the fledgling campaign. His return to full fitness, along with new signing and fellow wide man Jack Harrison cannot come soon enough.

Therefore there are more reasons to be cheerful ahead of Everton’s return to action against an Arsenal side they defeated in Sean Dyche’s first game at the helm back in February. Even if they’re unable to repeat that trick against Mikel Arteta’s side, anyone who thinks that remedying the team’s problems with an eighth change in the dugout in seven years under Farhad Moshiri is part of the problem rather than the solution in these most trying of times.

Dyche, unlike predecessor Frank Lampard, is a proven operator in getting teams on a relative shoestring budget to punch above their weight in the Premier League and deserves time to keep working on the improvements he brought in last season but like all managers he knows he needs to start picking up points. Everton have done well at home against Arsenal in recent years but you can’t expect to beat them and as damning as it is to say so, the same goes for Brentford away after that.

Then follows two games at home to Luton Town and Bournemouth that the Blues really should be looking for victories from. So shall we say seven points before the next international break is ‘acceptable’?

Matt Jones – Defining spell on the horizon for Dyche

If we’re putting a positive spin on Everton’s start to the season, they probably should have seven points from their first four games.

As such, it’s not been too difficult to maintain some perspective in these early weeks, even with key players being sold off and glaring issues in the team being exposed by some modest opponents.

However, on the other side of the first international break of the 2023-24 term the tangibles will start to matter. Points are imperative. Initially, they might not be easy to come by. Regardless of their rotten record at Goodison Park, Arsenal are heavy favourites for Sunday’s game and will be bolstered by roughly around £200m of summer signings when compared to the squad that lost against the Blues in February.

Brentford too are a tough outfit to stifle, especially on their own patch and especially when you consider Everton’s away record. It means the two home games before the next international break against Luton Town and Bournemouth are likely to be must-win encounters.

Six points from those and the Blues should be in lower midtable come mid-October when international football is the focus again. Anything less will surely see them in the bottom three with a trip to Anfield to come.

For manager Sean Dyche, it’s a crucial period. Points in his next two games would be a big bonus, but in the two home fixtures that follow wins are paramount.

If they don’t come then the pressure will be huge on the head coach, regardless of the difficult conditions in which he is having to work in on Merseyside.

Joe Thomas – Winless run must be over by the start of October

The next four games will go a long way to dictating the narrative around Everton heading into the winter. There is some justification to Sean Dyche’s positive appraisal around performances so far, and Everton could have taken nine points from Fulham, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sheffield United based on the displays and the chances the side created.

They could so easily have zero, however, requiring a stoppage time double save from Jordan Pickford to prevent Sheffield United from snatching a late win at Bramall Lane.

It is hard to assess the season so far but the defeat at Aston Villa was troubling and having failed to beat three sides that could be in the bottom half of the table this year, there has to be some concern about how Everton will consistently fare against better teams. That is the problem heading into the next two.

The Blues have a good recent home record against Arsenal but it will be a tough game, and the trip to Brentford will also be difficult. If Everton could come away from those matches with two points it would be a solid platform for the coming months. Then there is a lot of pressure on the Goodison double header against Luton Town and Bournemouth. Luton is a must win for any side hoping to remain in the Premier League and Everton will not be able to afford a winless run to stretch beyond that match, should they not win against Arsenal and Brentford. The Blues really need to defeat Bournemouth too. Those are the types of games a side looking to be competitive in this league really must win – even more so having missed such opportunities against Fulham and Wolves.

So six points from those last two matches before the break is required. If they could avoid defeat to Arsenal and Brentford then that would be a really positive step. I think six is the minimum Everton can afford to get, and seven would be ‘acceptable’.