Sean Dyche entered Thursday’s news conference to preview the crunch weekend game at Leicester clutching a slither of paper before placing it down on the table in front of him.
“What’s on there?” asked one reporter.
“What’s it to you?” was the reply in jest from the Everton manager.
It transpired that the note contained the names of 10 players that were either ruled out or doubtful for Saturday’s trip to King Power Stadium as Dyche’s squad selection concerns continue to grow.
In fact, when I asked him to clarify how many fit players he had to choose from, he had forgotten to name Jack Harrison as one who had left training to go home because of illness.
The issues are stacking up for the ex-Burnley boss, sitting not only bottom of the Premier League but also making the worst start to the season of all 96 clubs in Europe’s top-five leagues.
Steve Cooper’s men head into the game knowing Everton stayed up two seasons ago at the expense of Leicester and will be aiming to exact some measure of revenge.
Dyche is well aware of the reality of the situation he finds himself in and has been given a public vote of confidence by the club’s hierarchy, but he and the side are in desperate need of a result against the Foxes.
A fifth straight league defeat after going out of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday will do little to calm the fans’ concerns and heap even more pressure on the beleaguered Toffees boss.