Wayne Rooney praises instant impact of Sean Dyche at Everton but warns work still to be done
Wayne Rooney believes Sean Dyche has had a “fantastic start” to life as Everton manager, but has warned there is still a long road ahead to avoid Premier League relegation this season.
Since taking over from Frank Lampard in the Goodison Park dugout, Dyche has masterminded a return of six points from a possible nine, with wins over Arsenal and Leeds matched with respective clean sheets.
The recent upturn in form sees the Toffees currently sitting above the drop zone in 16th position but still only three points above bottom-placed Southampton in the Premier League table.
Speaking to ESPN (Friday 24 February), former Everton legend Rooney admitted Dyche couldn’t have asked for a better start to life on Merseyside.
When asked if he thought the Toffees would stay up this season, Rooney replied: “I hope so, he’s had a fantastic start beating Arsenal and Leeds.
“Six points out of the first nine, it’s what Everton needed, they’ve just come out of the relegation zone but there’s a lot of work to be done to hopefully secure Premier League status next season.
“I think he’s had as good of a start as he thought he might’ve.”
Momentum
Dyche’s impact has been profound so far, but his side must take their momentum into the coming games away from home. Everyone knows how strong Everton are at Goodison Park, with the home faithful cheering them on from the sidelines, but they must convert this form on the road if they wish to stay up this season.
Upcoming trips to the Emirates and to Brentford will pose tough tasks for Dyche’s men, but they should suit his side to perfection. Without the attacking quality he quite obviously wants, the English manager is forced to line up his side in a flat 4-4-2 and a low block.
Soaking up the pressure and hitting sides on the counterattack should suit playing away from home, but their last two outings, consecutive 2-0 losses to West Ham and Liverpool, have proven otherwise.
Hopefully, the likes of Demarai Gray can rediscover his best form, as his pace is an extremely useful tool to hurt opposition defences on the counterattack. First up though, the Toffees face Unai Emery’s Aston Villa side, who are winless in three matches and conceded 11 goals over this period of time.