BBC journalist praises Sean Dyche ‘masterclass’ in unusual aspect at Goodison Park this season
Giulia Bould has pinpointed Sean Dyche’s important changes in mindset at Goodison Park this season as Everton continue to outperform their points deduction.
Four consecutive victories on the bounce, all to nil, have seen the Toffees quickly escape the grasp of the dreaded relegation zone following the 10-point deduction due to a profit and sustainability breach.
The BBC Sport Merseyside journalist claims that the changes in mindset are to be hailed for the difference in Everton’s fortunes, with the sides that barely escaped relegation from the Premier League two seasons running nowhere to be seen.
“Without the 10-point deduction, Everton would be tenth, above Chelsea,” Bould said on BBC 5 Live Breakfast on Tuesday (19 December).
“What Sean Dyche has done is a masterclass in sports psychology. There has been a revolving door of managers at Everton, with eight managers since David Moyes left just under 10 years ago.
“But what’s happened recently is that he has come in and managed to block out what he calls ‘the noise’. Fair play to him.
“He has protected his players, protected the training ground. He’s never too low after a defeat, never too high, just exactly the same and has made his players do the same. He has made it feel like it’s Everton against the world.”
A modern-day superhero
Since joining the club in January 2020, Dyche has saved Everton from relegation, rebuilt the hope surrounding Goodison Park, and has recorded a win rate of 42.1 per cent so far – the highest since Carlo Ancelotti’s reign.
Without the 10-point deduction, the Toffees could be challenging for European positions right now. And the way Dyche’s men are going this season, that feat could still be possible come the end of the campaign.
Although eyes will still be solidly focused on the spots below them, the seven-point gap between them and 18th-place Luton Town means that Everton can begin to look upwards.
Dyche has been so much more than just a manager. He has been a leader, a focal point for the media, and a distraction for his players working so tirelessly to keep Everton safe.
There will undoubtedly be some more ups and downs this season, as there are for every club. But relegation to the Championship should not be on Everton fans’ minds, but instead a hugely positive campaign after two tough relegation-threatened seasons.
In other Everton news, Match of the Day pundit Danny Murphy was blown away by the performance of an “outstanding” Toffees player against Burnley.