Everton: Michael Ball delivers ’50/50′ Sean Dyche verdict after decision made v Brighton and Hove Albion
Michael Ball says he is “50/50” as to whether Sean Dyche should have made his substitutions earlier against Brighton and Hove Albion.
Dyche held off until the 90th minute of Saturday’s (4 November) game to make his only two changes, shortly after Brighton had equalised.
Many inside Goodison Park felt those replacements should have been introduced earlier as the visitors were knocking on the door for a goal.
Reflecting on the 1-1 draw at the weekend, Ball wrote in his Liverpool Echo column [7 November]: “I have to be honest, I am 50/50 on whether Sean Dyche was right or wrong not to make changes earlier at the weekend.
“On one hand, I understand why Sean kept things as they were. On the other, we did look tired and were in need of some fresh legs.
“But, when you consider how far we have come under Sean in the short space of time he has been here, I just think you have to trust his opinion.”
Lack of options
Dyche’s decision to not make any changes prior to the final minute of the contest seemed strange at the time, and even stranger after Brighton equalised through an Ashley Young own goal.
The experienced manager’s thinking must have been that, for all Brighton’s possession, Everton were looking good value to hold on to Vitaliy Mykolenko’s early goal.
It is also a pretty damning indictment of the squad that Dyche did not feel the need to bring on any replacements until the death, although a look at the bench shows a dearth of midfield and defensive options.
Whichever side of the debate you stand, Everton can be pleased with results over the past week or so, having defeated West Ham and Burnley in the Premier League and EFL Cup respectively prior to the Brighton draw.
As the season goes on, though, Dyche will have to make more use of his full squad.
In other Everton news, a journalist has shared his thoughts on a new figure now being involved in 777 Partners’ takeover at Goodison Park.