Sean Dyche shares honest verdict on Everton form as wait for win goes on

Sean Dyche is working to keep his players alive to their long term form as Everton’s wait for a Premier League win continues.

The Blues have not won in the league since the trip to Burnley just before Christmas. The victory over Crystal Palace in the FA Cup replay at Goodison Park last month remains the only win of 2024 and, since that success at Turf Moor, represents the only win in the last 10 games in all competitions.

Yet, as ever, context is crucial and when asked about the club’s form recently Dyche highlighted how the figures can provide different impressions depending on how they are considered.

Even in those last 10 fixtures, Everton have lost just four and kept four clean sheets. Extend the run to include the stunning form of early December and it is five wins in 14 with eight clean sheets.

Asked how he interpreted the current run, Dyche spoke of the importance of his players being able to ignore the “noise” surrounding any concerns over form. Ahead of the draw with Tottenham Hotspur, he said: “Mood is only temporary. If you look at the stats for the last 10/12 games I think we are eighth in the table so mood is just a temporary thing… it is seeing through all that and reminding the players ‘don’t worry about all that, it is all just noise, this is the truth of where we are, in that chunk of games we have got that many points’. And if you look at that chunk of games starting with the four wins that is a good return, a healthy return, apart from for the superpowers.”

Dyche inherited a relegation battle when he was appointed in early 2023. One year on, he is in charge of a club with uncertainty over its top flight status for a third consecutive campaign – though in very different circumstances this time. The Blues boss has overseen progress that, in terms of on-the-pitch performances, should have the club safely in mid-table. But a 10 point deduction, which is being challenged, has undermined the improvements Dyche has inspired.

He said: “I wasn’t expecting this season to be a walk in the park. I was expecting us to move forward and I think we have. If you add back the 10 points that were deducted I think everyone would agree there has been a big shift. Then you add in the stats and the facts there is a really big shift from the last two seasons. But the fact is the league table doesn’t suggest that. Therefore we have to go on the league table because it is a current reality. So that is what I have always believed in, managing things that are right there and factual. It’s difficult sometimes but I try to look at the facts and manage that and if I stay attuned to that then I think the players do. We are under no illusions. The league table is what it is. That is our responsibility, that is our job and if it stays like that we are ready for the challenge.”