Sean Dyche is challenging his Everton players to “change the story” so the narrative around the club does not become one of missed opportunities.
Everton suffered an opening day defeat to Fulham that caused frustration but did contain positives, with the hosts creating a series of gilt-edged chances. Opposition goalkeeper Bernd Leno was forced into nine saves as he denied the likes of Neal Maupay and Abdoulaye Doucoure – while the bar prevented Nathan Patterson from opening his Everton account.
Dyche is well aware of his side’s history of creating chances but failing to take them – an issue that was a theme of last season. And while he is seeking to address that through the transfer market, and believes his attacking options are stronger than the last campaign, he is urging his established Blues to seize the initiative themselves.
He hopes that by doing that the squad can create a positive connection with the fanbase that repays supporters for their “powerful” backing of the team through tough times, something he was reminded of recently while having a drink down Lark Lane.
Dyche acknowledged it had been frustrating to watch Everton dominate the first half last week but then get hit with a late sucker punch. Asked how he can try and ensure the same pattern is not repeated through the season, he said: “The biggest thing to conquer is to change our story. It is our job to change the story. I thought last week was a good performance. One report said they professionally dominated the game which surprised me.
“Most Evertonians would say that is the kind of performance they want to see, but to win obviously. The only way to change the story is not just the performances but the result. The idea is to do both at the same time. It will take away that sense from a distance of ‘same old story, played well but didn’t win’. Only we can change the story… I have said to the players ‘don’t wait for the story to change, make it change’. Boom. That is what we have to do.”
Everton are seeking additional help in the goalscoring department, with Jack Harrison having since arrived on loan from Leeds United and the club making a bid, that has been rejected, for Southampton striker Che Adams. Adams scored for a third consecutive game in the Championship as his late winner secured three points at Plymouth Argyle on Saturday. Other options are also being explored. Re-inforcements from within his squad are due to help Everton pose a greater threat, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin “in the thinking” for the trip to Aston Villa on Sunday and Arnaut Danjuma edging closer to match fitness.
While Everton’s work in the transfer market has been limited by financial constraints, Dyche does believe he now has a stronger attacking unit – and more options going forward. He said: “If Dom stays fit, you have to say yes [the attack is stronger this season] because of his record and what I have seen. That should obviously increase the ways we can operate.
“Danjuma coming in, Jack Harrison when he gets fully fit in a few weeks. You have Dwight McNeil coming back to fitness, Alex Iwobi has been strong. When they are all active, that is a different way of attacking. It offers us more options. My response at the end of last season was to have an agreed base to work from. It is obvious there aren’t pots of gold. We are having to work with the team which is good for me as a coach and a manager to get the maximum from the group and add when we can. The building blocks need to be put in place. Evertonians deep down know there needs to be a base to grow from. My aim is to have that. We can certainly perform better, hopefully both on the eye and in results.”
Dyche believes Blues are receptive to his approach and largely understand there will be difficulties to overhauling a club that has faced consecutive relegation battles and has a limited budget. From his interactions with Everton fans, including conversations while having a pint on Lark Lane recently, he believes supporters are justifiably demanding in their expectations from a proud, historic club. He said: “Certain clubs have that history and Everton have. They are demanding fans, but they are there when you need them. They do demand a lot but when we have needed them, certainly in my small experience so far, hopefully many years to come, that small experience when we have really needed them, they have been there home and away. That is a powerful thing in itself. They do demand but they pay you back. I think that is pretty fair. We want to build on that.”