David Seaman: Everton have a better squad than Leeds United and can take advantage of experience
David Seaman believes Sean Dyche’s Everton squad is better than Leeds United’s and has more experience to deal with a Premier League relation dogfight.
The two teams – who are only split in the Premier League table by goal difference – face off at Goodison Park on Saturday (18 February) in a huge six-pointer following the recent sackings of Jesse Marsch and Frank Lampard at both clubs.
Speaking on the Seaman Says podcast (Friday 17 February), the former England goalkeeper was asked which of Dyche’s or Michael Skubala’s sides was better and more suited to the relegation fight this season.
“I’d say Everton if I’m honest,” he replied. “I think they’ve got the better and more experienced squad to deal with the situation where they are.
“The way that he [Dyche] gets his team playing, I think it could be a really difficult game for Leeds.
“I thought they were going to be properly defensive against Arsenal, but they were really pressing everywhere and hardly gave Arsenal any time on the ball, so that was really surprising.”
Experience
Although Everton have many major shortcomings in their squad – none more so than their lack of goalscorers – they do have several players will an abundance of experience.
A large number of the Toffees’ squad have been there and done it, including Dwight McNeil and James Tarkowski at Burnley, Idrissa Gueye at PSG and even the heroics of Jordan Pickford during the relegation struggle last season.
Dyche must look to draw from these strengths and feed off the Goodison Park crowd at the weekend. If the Toffees come out the blocks fast and meet Leeds blow for blow, their opponents may just crumble under the immense pressure.
With interim manager Skubala still at the helm for The Whites – who through no fault of his own has been granted the tough task of navigating the club away from the relegation zone – Dyche can use his far superior experience of crucial matches such as these to claim a result.