Howard Kendall's patience has dried up and Everton fans are likely to get what they want - an open cheque book from underfire chairman Peter Johnson.

Goodison Park chief Kendall is asking the chairman for cash to buy players after the limp 2-0 home defeat by Southampton, just a fortnight after the convincing win over Merseyside rivals Liverpool.

But Kendall needs more than money. He needs to end to one of the worst away records in the Premiership if Everton are not going to be deep in the relegation mire by the end of the month.

Everton's next three games are all away - at Blackburn, Chelsea and Aston Villa - and that for a club without an away league win since December 16th last year at Derby, is a disaster waiting to happen.