Sean Dyche makes Everton progress after civil war was on verge at Goodison Park
Sean Dyche has made progress since being named Everton manager after the Merseyside club was on the verge of civil war earlier this season, according to the Daily Star.
The Toffees appointed Dyche at the end of the January transfer window to replace the outgoing Frank Lampard, who had recorded just 15 points from 20 Premier League games and left the club in 19th position.
Protests against the Everton board were also prevalent around the New Year, with supporters lining the streets of Goodison Park on several occasions and the board of directors being told to stay away from matches at home matches due to safety concerns.
However, after the turmoil of the Lampard tenure, Dyche has instilled some calm at Everton after picking up wins against Arsenal and Leeds United as well as a point at the City Ground on Sunday (5 March).
The Daily Star wrote (Tuesday 7 March, page 42): “This term the club has been on the brink of civil war with fans in uproar against the board, while some supporters confronted players likes Yerry Mina in the street in ugly scenes in January to demand more in the final days of Lampard’s reign.
“But successor Dyche, appointed on January 30, is making progress with seven points from six games after a 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest which leaves Everton 18th.”
Small steps
The problems still remain aplenty for Dyche at the moment, with his side still shipping goals and struggling to put them in the back of the net at the other end, but small steps have been taken since his appointment.
For one, Toffees fans have a team they feel is giving them 100% effort every week and a side that are no longer a soft touch. Dyche has already managed to connect with the fanbase in his short time as manager and convey the message that Premier League survival won’t be possible without their help.
The problems off the pitch do continue to bubble on in the background, with Farhad Moshiri and the board of directors under close scrutiny, but large portions of the club have realised now is not the best time to fall apart with relegation to the Championship very much on the cards.
Dyche has 13 games to secure Everton’s survival, and if he does, the Englishman will instantly go down as one of the board’s correct decisions from the past few years.