Perhaps going under the radar recently has been behind Everton’s upturn in form, with the Toffees winning four of their last six matches.
Early pressure was heaped upon Sean Dyche, following his side’s poor start to the campaign, but a togetherness and steel reminiscent of the manager’s Burnley teams has emerged.
Speaking on the strength of his team in his pre-match press conference, Dyche made it clear that it was something specifically outlined in the summer:
“So I’m really looking at the plan for the season but so far I think there’s progress and that was the first marker – from the last season, can we progress, can we look like a stronger, more effective unit?
“And I think there are strong signs that, with how we’re playing, that we are in very good shape.”
"You've got to have an edge to your performances!" 📈
Sean Dyche pleased with Everton's progression after five wins from their last seven games 🟦pic.twitter.com/8GYJOryI5k
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 2, 2023
One of Everton’s key strengths has been the historical atmosphere of Goodison Park, something that has dragged the club over the finishing line in recent relegation battles.
With Dyche keen to utilise this factor, he commented on the mood around the ground in recent weeks:
“There’s a good feel about our team and a good feel at Goodison at the minute so we want to use all of those things to our advantage.
“We want to add to the home mentality, I think that’s growing.”
Furthermore, Dyche doesn’t want his side growing complacent amid the recent upturn in form, but has been quick to praise his players for carrying out what is being asked of them.
“We are getting rewards for sticking at it, sticking to what we believe and sticking to what the team is delivering.”
Looking ahead to the weekend, Everton host Brighton, with the Toffees famously defeating the high flying Seagulls 5-1 last season.
The home side currently sit 15th in the table, improving on an early stint lower down the table, with Brighton holding down seventh place.
Aware of the quality Robert De Zerbi’s side possesses, Dyche was quick to praise the opposition in his pre-match press conference:
“They are a very good side and they are showing that.
“You have to be tactically right but you have to impress yourself upon the game as well and I thought we did that very well against them away last season [Everton won 5-1] and we are going to have to do that again.
“Teams who have done well against them have delivered good tactical performances.”
