Stay in control of the latest Blues news with our Everton newsletter Sign up now Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

The two men at the Everton helm looked deep in thought as the camera turned its attention on them during the second-half at Goodison.

In that moment, Blues fans would have been happy to offer significantly more than a penny to know what Farhad Moshiri and Bill Kenwright were thinking.

And specifically about the future of the manager.

At the time of Moshiri and Kenwright coming into view, Everton had nudged themselves in front against Newcastle United courtesy of Theo Walcott’s goal and would hold on for a victory that took them up to eighth in the table.

But Moshiri and Kenwright will be acutely aware that the win, albeit a welcome one that came with the bonus of a clean sheet, will have done little to change opinions, for better or worse, about Sam Allardyce.

It wasn’t the sort of game to sway sentiment in either direction, just the type to send the mind wandering.

But the future of the manager also heavily occupies the thinking of the club’s major shareholder and chairman and as well as considering all of the obvious factors in coming to a decision about Allardyce, Everton must also think about what comes after him.

Speculation may be rife, and Big Sam may have called for clarity over his position, but it remains distinctly possible that the 63-year-old will be backed to see out the remaining 12 months of his contract.

And so if Moshiri makes that call he has to be confident about what Allardyce will leave behind for the person who will eventually replace him - and what Everton want the club to look like after he leaves.

Ultimately, the decision over Big Sam’s future has to be with succession planning in mind.

If Allardyce remains in charge until the end of next season (and assuming doesn’t earn a contract extension) then will he leave a squad and a playing style that can be picked up by the next manager and improved upon?

As part of the long-term vision for the club, will he have given the club, to borrow Moshiri’s phrase, a “platform to move on”?

In guaranteeing Everton would not get sucked into the mess at the bottom of the table this term, he’s achieved that but the powers at Goodison must decide if he can tick that box next season as well.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

What Everton, within the context of Moshiri’s multi-year plan, cannot afford to do is be forced to rip it up, start again and appoint a manager with diametrically opposed views on style, tactics and players.

Now, more than ever, the Blues must have a clear vision and work out how Big Sam could, or could not, fit into that.

Allardyce improved Sunderland and Crystal Palace enough to save them from relegation but left before he could start to lay any foundations.

After three years at West Ham, Allardyce cemented them as a Premier League club again and may argue he laid the groundwork for Slaven Billic to take them back into Europe the following season.

Others may say that required a significant squad overhaul.

Either way, Everton have to come to a decision on Allardyce that includes results, style, tactics, the supporters and, importantly, the future and whether he is looking through the “window of opportunity” form inside Goodison or from the outside.