Ahead of Saturday's big clash against Leeds United, Idrissa Gana Gueye sat down to discuss a range of different topics, including how he has settled into life under Sean Dyche, what has changed under the new manager, the importance of Everton fans and revealed what he said to Amadou Onana following the Blues' morale boosting 1-0 win over Premier League leaders Arsenal. 

Idrissa, great to see you. First of all, the week started with the Merseyside derby, a big game, it didn’t go the way you wanted. What has been the immediate reaction amongst the players to the result and performance?  

We are not happy because we wanted to win this game against Liverpool. Everybody knows how important it is for us and for the fans.   

I think we were too nice. I’m still playing the defeat in my head.   

When you say too nice, what do you mean?  

Like we have to go harder. Push and win the game because in the end, we let them do what they wanted to do.   

How frustrating is that then, because you know what you wanted to do, but for whatever reason, it didn’t happen?   

It’s hard to explain, but now we just have to try and forget the game and focus on the next one.   

Are those thoughts the same ones shared by the manager after the game?   

Yes, of course, he told us this after the first half. So for sure, he is frustrated. He wanted us to win this game, for him, the players and the fans.   

You have had a couple of weeks to work with the manager, how has that been and how have things changed?  

Every manager has their own way to work. We are happy to have him as a manager. He is a nice manager, he is close to the players. He tries to give us more energy. More of everything we need to get out of the bottom of the league.  

When he arrived, we heard he made every player to the bleep test. That’s considered pretty old school, but how did it go down with the players? Is it a case of going back to basics and resetting?   

That’s what we need. I think he understands it and that’s why he made these tests. To show us how we are psychically and how he wants us to work. Everyone took it well and we are happy.   

What about you personally, do you like that challenge?  

Of course I like that. I like the hard work. Everyone knows when you are good physically, you will be better on the pitch. You will play good and win the game. That’s what we did against Arsenal.   

Let me take you back to that game against Arsenal at Goodison. Describe to us the atmosphere at the stadium. Was it the best you have experienced for a home game since you came back?  

Yes definitely. I said this to Amadou (Onana) after the game. ‘Did you see this atmosphere? Everton look like that normally every time we win the game.’  

It was just for him to know that is how Everton can be, and how the fans can be very, very good with us.

How much of a lift does that give everyone because it’s been a tough season. We talk about Goodison and the factor the fans have, but that was the first time in a while you had experienced it, isn’t it?   

If you give them what they expect, they will be behind us. We want to give them more. We want to win every game.   

Sometimes that’s not possible, but they have to stay with us because we are all together. We all work for Everton. We all live for this club and we wall want the best for this club.   

We have to stay together and try to do our best to get off the bottom of the table.   

With that in mind, it’s obviously a big game against Leeds this weekend. You are next to each other in the table. Does it feel like a pivotal game in the season?  

Every game now for us is a final. We have to take it in the same way we did against Arsenal. We have to repeat everything from that game.   

Psychologically, how important is this game? Because if you win, you will be out of the bottom three on Saturday night. How much of a difference would that make?  

You can feel it, the team is feeling better after Arsenal and even Liverpool, despite losing. We can feel on the pitch, we have more confidence.   

We know we need these three points. It doesn’t matter how we play. It doesn’t matter how we will get it. We have to do everything to get these three points because it is very important for us.   

What has got to be the approach on Saturday, how do you need to start this game?  

The same as Arsenal, go and take the three points.   

Against Arsenal, it was the first time yourself, Amadou (Onana) and Abdoulaye (Doucoure) had played together as a three in midfield. How did you find that, did you enjoy it?

Very much so. You have two nice players, nice lads who like to run and defend. Even the other midfielders are very good.

But they are my friends, too. They speak French, so I really enjoy it. We are talking on the pitch every time helping each other and the team. Covering the spaces, it is good.

There are 16 games left this season, is it a new season in itself? Does the season start now for Everton?   

Hopefully, we forget the past and try to move forward. There are 16 finals, really difficult but we have to try and win every game because it is important for us.