Q&A: Mykolenko On Attacking Goal & New Mindset

Vitalii, four games left before the end of the season. How are you feeling? Are you excited for the end of the season?

VM: Yes, excited. We are already safe and we don't think about the relegation zone. It's good because the past three years were tough for me and for our team. Now, I feel much better.

David Moyes has come in and it feels like everything's been quite positive since he came in again. What has life been like under him?

VM: The first few weeks were hard because everything was different. But now it’s all good, as you can see in the table. We are in good position and in my opinion, we play much better than the past two years. I think our fans are excited and they like to watch our football.

Does that excite you for next season? Because you can just start from scratch again and start building to make a really good season?

VM: I think we’ve started to build from this season for next season and I can see it on the pitch. The gaffer wants to work more in training sessions on the ball to get to fix some small details on the pitch. He wants to work now, not just work in pre-season for the next season.

What's it like being a defender under David Moyes? What does he want from you? 

VM: Good, very good. He wants me to join in the attacks and he always says you not only have one job on the pitch, but two or three. I'm trying to be my best not only in defence, but in attack as well.

Working on your attacking side of the game, is that something you want to do?

VM: I like to play in attack and now, I'm working with the coaching staff and with the gaffer on that. I'm working individually with Billy (McKinlay) and I'm working with Leighton Baines in attack on training sessions and in defence, as well.

What's it like playing in front of somebody like Jordan Pickford? Obviously, quite a big character. What is that like?

VM: Sometimes he's mad! But he's a very good guy off the pitch and in the dressing room. He's a good guy and you can ask him anything you want. On the pitch, I think we have a good connection with him, so we know what each other will do.

You've got Ipswich Town coming up next. What's the thought process going into that game? 

VM: I expect we'll play more on the ball, especially being at Goodison. We have to play more on the ball and try to score as much as we can.

Where does the motivation come from now – with Ipswich knowing they are relegated, and Everton knowing they are safe?

VM: I have motivation to be the best on the pitch every week. I remember when we played three years ago against Watford and they'd been already relegated but it was a tough game because we needed three points, but they were very relaxed, and they did what they wanted. So, it will be a tough game. It can be dangerous playing against a side who are already relegated.

And just finally, how do you feel about playing the last game at Goodison later this month? What's that going to be like?

VM: I cannot imagine it yet. I can't believe it will be finished this season, the end of Goodison Park, and we'll go on to a new stadium and there will be new history. But I'm very happy to have played at Goodison – it is a special place – and I am excited to hopefully play at the new stadium as well.