‘Everton are not too good or too big to go down – Sean Dyche is ideal if we do’

Nottingham Forest are on the up – but Everton must keep fighting for survival, says Kevin Campbell.

Sean Dyche was drafted in after Frank Lampard got the chop at Goodison Park, and the former Burnley boss made an instant impact with wins over Arsenal and Leeds.

But the Toffees lost 2-0 to Aston Villa last weekend and were battered 4-0 by the Gunners in a midweek showdown at the Emirates on Wednesday.

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Campbell, who made 151 appearances for Everton, insists they have to dig deep.

"Being a soft touch was something that was never levelled at us," said the former striker, speaking on behalf of 888sport. "I played there for a good few years and even when we lost, teams would say ‘wow, that was a tough game’.

"When you play anyone you have to make their lives difficult. I don’t even want to think about relegation but one thing I will say is that Everton are not too good or too big to go down.

"We’ve seen it happen with other clubs previously. If it were to happen the key thing is to have a manager with a proven track record in navigating a path out of the Championship. Dyche has that experience with Burnley."

After a rocky start to life back in the Premier League, Forest have gradually moved away from the drop zone.

Campbell, 53, spent three seasons at the City Ground from 1995-1998 and reckons Steve Cooper has the managerial nous and quality in his ranks to keep them up.

"They know what’s needed, they’re picking up points and they’re in a decent spot in the table," he said. "They’re not going to be looking behind them now, nor should they. If you look back they might go past you.

"They were in the Championship bottom three when he turned up and now they’re mid-table in the Premier League. There has to be a trajectory but a realistic one, of consolidation and keep adding key pieces so they can establish themselves as a Premier League side.

"We know what they’re like in the cups and I see Steve Cooper improving them further and making the Nottingham Forest faithful proud of their team for years to come.”

* Campbell was speaking on behalf of 888sport. Head to 888sport.com for the latest football odds.

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