Demarai Gray is certain Sean Dyche will guide Everton up the Premier League table next season.
When the former Burnley manager was appointed in January, his remit was clear: keep Everton in the division. A nervy final 17 games culminated on a dramatic last day, with Toffees beating Bournemouth to narrowly beat the drop.
Dyche succeeded in his mission but refused to get carried away in any post-match celebrations - knowing well that the ceiling for Everton should be much higher. Now, the 51-year-old can prepare foundations at Goodison Park throughout the summer rather than acting as a firefighter.
Speaking to Everton TV, Gray - who led the line on the final day versus Bournemouth - provided an insight into Dyche’s relentless training methods. The winger said: “With the manager now, he will make sure we are not in these positions. As soon as the new season begins, he’ll be bang on us.
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“There’s so much intensity (to play under him), which is something the fans can feed off as well. When we come together, and the fans are on it as well, Goodison is a horrible place for opponents to come. It’s very intimidating. Since coming in, the gaffer has instilled his own ideas and explained what he wants from us, there’s nothing too complicated.
“He uses the strengths of the players we’ve got and gives the team a plan. The gaffer is very clear with his instructions. There’s a lot more to build on from next season. If you look at where we are in the table since the manager came in, it’s a completely different situation.”
Gray also echoed Dyche’s sentiments that Everton should be aiming higher than an annual relegation fight. Frank Lampard kept the club up with a game to spare and the Toffees played it even closer to the bone this time around. Sooner or later, that luck will run out.
“We have to take that and have confidence,” Gray added. “Especially with a full pre-season where he has time to prepare, time to work, get our energy levels where they need to be and make sure we are not down there. Because this is Everton, it’s a big club and the players we have got in this changing room here, we should be higher up the table."
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