Lyndon Lloyd 22/09/2024 8comments  |  Jump to last

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Sean Dyche described yesterday’s 1-1 draw at Leicester as a “mini-step” despite the fact his side gave up yet another lead and are still awaiting their first league win of the season.

The Blues came into the weekend on the back of four straight Premier League defeats and disappointment in the Carabao Cup against Southampton last Tuesday but were on course for three points at the King Power Stadium this afternoon.

Iliman Ndiaye’s individual brilliance at the end of a terrific pass from Ashley Young had Dyche’s men in the driving seat in an early-season six-pointer but amid “biblical” conditions in the East Midlands, they eventually ceded the initiative in the second half and paid the price with the concession of a 73rd-minute equaliser.

It wasn’t the result that the travelling Blues felt Everton should have got against a poor Foxes outfit but, understandably, Dyche was choosing to be optimistic at a first point gained this season.

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“Positive thoughts overall after a positive display,” the manager said afterwards. “We came here with a highly-limited situation squad-wise with injury and illness.

“I have never lost sight of the fact we have to win a game. We have not won today; it is a mini-step, that is all it is, but it is a positive one because it was a good display.

“They are hard yards at the minute. There are loads of question marks over myself, the players, lots of noise, lots of negativity shrouding the situation and it's difficult for players.

“But I thought there's a real confidence in our play today, a real belief in our play today, and some very good performances. That shows the mentality is right.

“We mentioned it to the group and said, ‘no-one is going to look after us, we have to look after ourselves’. We have to support ourselves and each other. We've come through these situations in my 20 months — and probably before that — but I can only count for my 20 months.

“I’ve come through these situations when it has been hard yards many times, and now we've got to do it again. That's a mini step, as I said, but that's a positive mini-step in my opinion.”

Everton’s goalscorer and attacking inspiration, Ndiaye, was disappointed not to end up on the winning side but was content to open his Premier League account with a superbly-taken goal and was unfortunate not to get the chance to double his tally around the hour mark when Jesper Lindstrøm’s attempted pass was crucially deflected by a covering defender.

“We’re winning and suddenly they’re Leicester catching up and maybe could have won the game,” the Senegal international said, acknowledging that the Blues let two points slip through their fingers on the day. “I wouldn’t say they created more chances than us, but we need to finish our chances to put the game to bed and stay focused.

“Obviously on a personal note, I was very happy to get the goal. Step by step, we’re trying to pick up points, go in the right direction and start getting wins.

“We haven’t been picking up points and today it was really important to get a win, but we’ve finished the game with a draw. We’re going to reflect once again on what went badly and what was good to try and win the next game.”

 

Reader Comments (8)

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Anthony Jones
1 Posted 22/09/2024 at 20:51:31
Dyche talks too much.

Saying less often means more.

Tom Bowers
2 Posted 22/09/2024 at 21:31:01
Until we get that first win and a few more positive results soon after, I will not listen to anything Dyche has to say.

His continued use of a 39-year-old in defense is baffling.

Ben King
3 Posted 22/09/2024 at 21:39:05
Confidence is so important in football so I'm glad we're trying to create some positive energy in the group.

Without confidence, Ndiaye doesn't take that shot and score. McNeil has been excellent through the middle and has been a real creative outlet.

If we can get some confidence into Lindstrom, then maybe he'll start scoring some of his chances.

We need the players to believe and to want the ball, so (unlike the other posters) I'm delighted Dyche is talking it up.

Alan J Thompson
4 Posted 23/09/2024 at 05:52:32
"Lots of negativity."

Is that a confession or an accusation?

Stu Gre
5 Posted 23/09/2024 at 07:40:10
I'm sick of people using injuries as an excuse. Who are we actually missing that would make a significant difference? Branthwaite? Maybe play that guy that was bought presumably to replace him and see if that makes a difference (I'm seriously confused why we bought O'Brien).

On the injury front, sport scientist, whatever they are, have said our training and pre season is likely to be the cause of the number of injuries we have. If that's the case, the fantastic Mr Dicke can take credit for that too and stop using it as an excuse.

John Davies
6 Posted 23/09/2024 at 12:32:03
This manager spends far to much time talking and clearly not enough time coaching. The constant drivel he spouts is infuriating. He loves the sound of his own voice and all the little sound-bites he has created for himself. "change the story", "quieten the noise", "do the hard yards", "contend with having to do things lastminute.com", "smell what's happening on the pitch". I could go on and on.

"Judge me by my work" he says. Well that's exactly what I do. The teams' results, the team selection, the team performance, the match day tactics, the game management, the match substitutions, the continual selection of players who are performing dreadfully and finally, our current dreadful league position after what should have been a fairly comfortable set of opening fixtures. And so my judgement is pretty damning.

Mr Dyche needs to simply shut up, stay off the screens, "quieten his own noise" and get about turning things around because based on what we've seen so far we are going to struggle to stay up. And please don't anyone tell me that would constitute another "current and ongoing success" for the loquacious Mr Dyche. (I have to be honest, I googled that one. I'd never heard if it - but it's basically someone who talks to much!)

Fred Quick
7 Posted 23/09/2024 at 12:42:16
John @6
Loquacious is Roberto Martinez's middle name. Like you I had never heard the word, until Roberto arrived at Goodison.
Nigel Munford
8 Posted 23/09/2024 at 20:11:03
But we’ve just got a new owners, that’s positive yes??!

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