Michael Keane says Everton’s comfortable victory over Blackpool on Sunday sent a wave of “positive energy” through the dressing room.
Defender Keane played the second 45 minutes at Bloomfield Road, as Everton scored twice in each half to win 4-2 and accelerate preparations for the forthcoming Premier League campaign.
Frank Lampard’s side begin the season with a visit from Chelsea on Saturday 6 August and Keane is anticipating his manager “ramping-up” tactical and physical work over the next fortnight.
The performance and result against Blackpool doubled up as a sound response to the defeat by Minnesota United that finished Everton’s USA training camp last week.
“The lads are steadily getting fitter and sharper,” said Keane, who was employed in a back three, as Lampard returned to his wing-back ploy and saw Vitalii Mykolenko and Nathan Patterson handsomely capitalise on their attacking licences.
“The shape worked better, we were more solid and made fewer mistakes and were better on the ball.
“It was a much better day and we needed it.
“The manager was critical in the changing room after [Minnesota match], what was said stays between us, but we knew it wasn’t good enough.
“We wanted to bounce back and bring positive energy to the team and we did that.
“We started brightly and controlled most of the game. It was the response we needed.
“[The objective over the next two weeks] is to get fitter, we are getting there slowly, it is a gradual process and these games are helping.
“We need to ramp it up and make sure we are in top condition for the Chelsea game.
"Tactically, we have things to work on… there are things we need to improve, so there is a lot of work to do on the training ground.”
Ukrainian Mykolenko connected with Patterson’s cross to sweep Everton into the lead against Blackpool and Tom Davies quickly added a second goal as Lampard’s team started their first game on English soil since May like a house on fire.
Blackpool twice closed to within one of Everton but both goals for the hosts were duly followed by strikes from Dele, seizing his opportunity to operate in an advanced position.
And if the England international player on song was among the more pleasing sights on the Irish Sea coast, the same was true of the 3,000+ Evertonians in town for the game.
The Club’s supporters historically travel in huge numbers regardless, but Keane detects an extension of the unity that was so instrumental in preserving Everton’s top-flight status last term.
“The way the whole Club came together [in closing months of 2021/22] was special and it shows you what this club is about,” said Keane.
“Bringing 3,000 to Blackpool for a pre-season friendly, the way they supported us at the end of last year [was incredible] – and I am sure the fans enjoyed seeing how we responded.
“We want to keep that positive momentum and start the season strongly and I am sure the fans will be right behind us.
“Everyone at the Club will agree last season was the toughest of their careers.
“It is not where a club like Everton should be, we know that, we weren’t good enough as a squad.
“We dug deep when we had to and that got us through, we have to do that all season and, hopefully, we won’t find ourselves anywhere near that position.
“I hope the fans see [players’ effort] – I do my best every day in training and whenever I play.
“Everyone makes mistakes, that is part of the game, but I don’t think the fans could look at us and say we weren’t trying [last season].
“There was a lack of quality at times and low confidence and a bit of bad luck, but we managed to pull through that.
“The lads are united, the team spirit is really good, that got stronger over the final six weeks of last season, the way everyone pulled together, and that will stand us in good stead going forwards."
