Presenter weighs in on Sean Dyche sack talk ahead of Everton clash v West Ham in Premier League
Presenter Jon Mackenzie has defended Everton boss Sean Dyche amid suggestions he could be the first Premier League manager in line for the sack this season.
Everton entered the weekend hovering three points above the relegation zone after losing six, drawing one and winning just two of their opening nine matches.
Speaking on The Athletic Football Podcast [27 October, 34m 1s], journalist Omar Garrick put Dyche’s name forward as someone who could be feeling the heat, citing the lack of front-foot football as a reason.
But in response, Tifo Football writer and presenter Mackenzie said: “I feel like I need to defend Sean Dyche here because I feel he’s doing a really good job at Everton.
“Not that the underlying numbers are worth everything, but their underlying figures are good.
“The impression people have of Dyche is they [Everton] sit deep and don’t attack, whereas it’s been the opposite way around this season – they’re an attacking team who leave themselves open.
“In the long run they should be fine; the only worry they have is a possible points deduction.”
Bournemouth the blueprint
Football is a results game, and unless Dyche starts getting some wins on the board then he will inevitably be dragged into this sack debate.
As was regularly pointed out when the Toffees were in the relegation zone, their underlying numbers were – and still are – pretty solid.
What that basically means is that, over the course of a campaign, you would expect things to eventually click and the team climb up the table.
But football is not played on paper. Ultimately, the strikers need to convert chances and defenders need to keep the opposition at bay.
The 2-0 loss to Liverpool last time out was disappointing, of course, but the result and performance against Bournemouth prior to that gives hope.
Dyche’s side were superb in sweeping aside the Cherries 3-0, with that now the blueprint going forward, starting with the trip to West Ham on Sunday (29 October).
In other Everton news, Stan Collymore has predicted the outcome of the meeting with West Ham at London Stadium.