Everton manager Sean Dyche took questions from the press ahead of the Blues first away fixture of the season. As well as giving injury and transfer updates, he spoke of the mentality he’s looking to foster on the road.
Fitness Updates
With the Toffees still missing some key players ahead of their second fixture of the season, all eyes were on Dyche’s updates on the injury front. He confirmed that the 90 minutes Dominic Calvert Lewin played in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Manchester United this week represented the end of his rehab program. He went on to state that the 26 year old would be “Right back in the thinking” this weekend. Dyche also sensationally revealed he does not live with the striker.
Other updates were less positive. Vitalii Mykolenko is still out, new-signing Arnaud Danjuma still has “more to do” in terms of base fitness and Dwight McNeil, despite beginning running again, is still some way off. Youseff Chermiti meanwhile is “Still adjusting, still adapting” and whilst the manager was pleased with his progress, was described as “a slow burner.”
Looking forward to Villa
Dyche was also quizzed on Everton’s approach to taking in a team who had “lost their first game in some style”. The manager explained that he was pleased with the “number and quality of chances” created against Fulham and stated that “there were a lot of good signs… Fitness good, broke the play up well, stats good.”
Looking forward to the trip to Aston Villa he remarked that “They’ll be looking to bounce back [from defeat against Newcastle]. We need to remind ourselves of the work we did last week and go with a positive attitude… We expect a reaction [From Villa]. But Joe Royle always tells me ‘Get your retaliation in first’. We want to take the game on.”
He went on to reveal that the Blues want to go into away games with the same attitude as home games. Speaking about improving the dismal away record of the last 2 seasons Dyche said “We’ve never been a million miles away. It’s about adding belief and positivity.”
Transfer Updates
With under two weeks until the transfer window closes, questions were posed about potential incomings and outgoings. Dyche refused to be drawn on speculation regarding Southampton’s Che Adams. “Conversations are ongoing in a number of areas” was the only comment offered.
Dyche was equally guarded regarding the possibility of Jean Phillippe Gbamin’s exit saying no offer has been recieved for the Ivorian’s services. Tom Cannon, he revealed, is being “kept in the building” pending senior reinforcements being brought in in his position amid interest from Preston and others.