Now that survival has been confirmed, Everton can step up preparations for next season.
Background work will already have been done - last year the club had two plans drawn up going into the final weeks of the campaign and there is nothing to suggest the approach to this season is any different.
The late start will hamper those in charge of recruitment - clubs that knew their fate weeks ago will have had a headstart on discussions with targets. But Sean Dyche was clear in his post-Bournemouth comments that his squad needs serious work.
