Sean Dyche wants to build an ‘every game matters’ attitude among his players as part of his bid to address the mentality of Everton’s dressing room.
The Blues boss is aware of the significance of the visit of Manchester City on Sunday, both in terms of the calibre of the opposition and the opportunity the game presents to take another huge step towards Premier League survival.
He has also conceded his team must focus on disrupting City’s gameplan rather than trying to ‘outplay’ a side that is among the best in world football. But Dyche’s longer term priority is to get his players to ‘adjust’ their mindset to ensure every game is considered as significant.
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Everton head into the clash with the title-chasers having secured four valuable points across two games from which positives could be taken. The team overcame adversity and showed resilience in earning an important draw at Leicester City before smashing Brighton 5-1 to earn just a second away win in this league campaign. That win on the south coast has rejuvenated the club in its battle against relegation and put it in control of its own destiny.
A victory at Goodison Park would take Everton to the cusp of safety but Dyche is keen to maintain a wider perspective. “The thing I’m trying to get to here is that every single game should matter. Every single game should be the most important one. We are trying to build that momentum. I’ve never believed in ‘the business end of the season’. The first game should be the business end of the season because that might be the one that wins you a title, gets you promoted or keeps you in a division. That should be the mentality.
"If you take big games along the way then fantastic – it’s great for you, great for the team, great for the prowess of the club and the badge, great for everything. But that should be the mentality on day one, not just because you’re playing Man City and it’s near the end of a season.
"We are trying to adjust that, it is a longer term thing, but that is my belief. Manchester City is a fantastic game, a top side, and back at Goodison with our fans, of course it is a fantastic occasion to take on one of the biggest teams in terms of winning trophies, but that doesn’t make it easier.”
Dyche recently revealed the emotional turbulence of the Everton dressing room was one of the first problems he spotted upon his appointment as Blues boss in late January. He was concerned the squad was too sensitive - that good results were celebrated too wildly and bad results sparked a descent into negativity. He said he has sought to address that.
The last time the Premier League leaders visited Goodison was when Arsenal provided Dyche’s first opposition as Everton manager in early February. The Blues secured a 1-0 win.
Any hope of another scalp is limited considering the form of City and resources at the club’s disposal. But Dyche believes Everton can compete so long as the approach is sensible.
He said: “It’s rare that someone out-footballs City to win - even Real Madrid the other night they were looking to counter early in the game, before their first goal. A lot was made of City keeping the ball but they (Madrid) just kept their shape, and waited for the opportunity and scored a great goal on the counter. It is very rare I think that City get beat by total football. So therefore you are going to have to do something different to beat them.”
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