Paul Wheelock - Their gamble in getting rid of Dyche could give them fresh impetus
Frank Lampard was right to say Everton haven't been 'let off the hook' by Burnley sacking Sean Dyche. His axing may have been harsh given the incredible job he has done across 10 years but there's no getting away from the fact that the Clarets' form has been awful. Yes, they did beat the Blues when the two teams met at Turf Moor earlier this month, but Lampard must still be scratching his head about how his side did not pick up three points that night against a poor as Burnley side I've seen in years. Sure enough, they then reverted to type by losing their next match at Norwich City.
But we have already seen an uplift in their 1-1 draw at West Ham United last time out and reports seem to suggest that while there was shock in the Clarets' dressing room following Dyche's departure, there was also a feeling that a fresh voice was needed. They've not got that exactly yet, with a temporary management team having been put in place, but there is no doubt there will be a spring in Burnley's step when they go into the first of two home games in the space of four days when they welcome Southampton to East Lancashire on Thursday evening.
As buoyant and as badly needed as Everton's victory over Manchester United was, one look at their fixture list compared to the Clarets' suggests there is work to be done yet, starting at home to Leicester City tonight. The Blues are far from safe but Lampard was also right to say their destiny is in their own hands. But he will also know Burnley are not dead and buried yet and their gamble in getting rid of Dyche could give them fresh impetus.
Do you think this sacking will be a positive for Everton? Let us know in the comments below...
Connor O'Neill - Pace and Co sealed their own fate with Friday's decision
It’s hard to recall a moment as jaw-dropping as Sean Dyche being sacked by Burnley. When the news broke on Friday, it was hard to believe it was actually true.
Football has seen some crazy, jaw-dropping moments over the years. And this one is right up there with the best and biggest. It’s simply impossible to see the logic.
As football fans all over the country began to come to terms with the news, the first question on the lips of everyone was of course why had the club’s chairman Alan Pace opted to make the call. While the second was what was next for the club currently sitting in the bottom three.
And as we have seen so far, it appears that the club has no immediate plan to replace Dyche. All this just plays massively into Everton’s hands. No manager, no plan and a pretty divided fan base. Those three points are hardly the perfect recipe to avoid the drop. So much so that a win tonight, on the back of Dyche’s sacking, should see, in my opinion, Everton safe. Pace and Co sealed their own fate with Friday's decision.
