By Noel Whelan

6th Feb, 2023 | 12:00pm

Pundit not convinced by Everton amid 'disappointing' Sean Dyche verdict - 'where's the positive?'

Noel Whelan has insisted Sean Dyche will have been “disappointed” to see Anthony Gordon leave Everton without a replacement.

The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed he is “not sure” the Toffees have enough in their squad to climb out of relegation trouble.

Dyche got off to the perfect start in his first game as the new Everton boss, defeating Premier League leaders Arsenal 1-0 at Goodison Park on Saturday (4 February).

Anthony Gordon was sold to Newcastle for a reported potential fee of £45million on 29 January – with the former Burnley boss taking the Toffees hot seat a day later.

Everton weren’t able to do any last-gasp business in the January transfer window, with a number of top targets either rejecting the move or choosing alternative destinations.

Dyche was quick to dismiss the lack of business (as quoted by The Guardian, 2 February), telling fans to “park” their frustrations and get behind the current squad.

The Merseysiders now sit 18th in the Premier League – level on points with 17th-place Leeds United.

Whelan told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I think the Everton fans have got every right to be frustrated.

“They’ve just sold their best player and got no one to replace him when they’re in a relegation fight.

“They’ve got a good result which might gloss over it, but where’s the positive in that?

“I think Dyche is trying to steady the ship and get the fans onside. They need everyone behind the players to get out of this.

“I’m not sure there’s enough talent in the squad to push themselves up the league.

“He knows what they’ve got to work with now – but he’ll be disappointed not to get someone in.

“They’ve had a good result against Arsenal – but I would still be worried if I was him.”

In other news, Kieran Maguire cites Alisher Usmanov as £100m Everton deal on the cards.