Former Toffees midfielder Leon Osman, who made over 400 appearances for the club, acknowledges Hill Dickinson has a long way to go until it becomes as daunting for opposition players as their beloved former ground could be.

“Theres no doubt the new stadium isn’t as intimidating to opponents as Goodison was and that will only come with time and results,” Osman told BBC Sport.

“Moving stadiums means leaving behind a bit of what made the clubs what they are. And on the pitch that might equate to anything between six to 20 points in a season.

“But we’re a team and club moving in the right direction overall in regards to stadium, players and attitude, we just lack a killer instinct at the minute.

“That is obviously more evident at home when the onus is on the home to team to be the dominant force and to entertain. A few additions in certain areas would solve a lot of those issues, but the club is a work in progress and one I think is going in a positive direction.”

BBC Sport’s Everton Fan’s Voice writer Briony Bragg has noted that the increased pitch size – 100x68m at Goodison compared to 105x68m at Hill Dickinson – has made a difference.

“The pitch is five metres longer than Goodison Park, and David Moyes has persisted with James Tarkowski and Michael Keane at centre-half this season,” she said.

“They don’t have the pace Jarrad Branthwaite and Jake O’Brien do, and statistics prove Everton perform better when either is not being shoehorned in at left- or right-back.”

Everton have five games to turn their Hill Dickinson form around before the end of the season, but there is work to do for it to feel like home.