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Dyche On Building Everton Feel-Good Factor

Sean Dyche says Everton can look to start building on the growing feel-good factor, but they’ll need to produce another strong performance this weekend to do so.

The new Everton boss has overseen two wins from his first three matches in charge, both of which came at home against Arsenal and Leeds.   

The Blues will return to Goodison Park this weekend to welcome Aston Villa. Unai Emery’s men have suffered defeat in each of their past three outings, although, two of those contests came against title-chasing Manchester City and Arsenal.   

Dyche, therefore, expects a tough contest but believes another strong performance can be the recipe for securing a positive result and continuing to build momentum.

Speaking at Finch Farm during Thursday’s pre-match press conference, Dyche explained: “A new manager went in [at Aston Villa] and changed things. I was at their first game against Manchester United, I saw some changes immediately.

“[Emery] has tried to instil his way of working. They have hit a bit of a sticky patch, but they have played two of the top sides in the last three. Leicester were also very good on the day.   

“Generally, they are a good outfit. They had a tough start to the season, people thought they were better than that and they have delivered better than that.

“It’s another important game, they all are. We weren’t miles off, but we were a little below par against Liverpool. There were a couple of mistakes.  

“But the other two performances were really strong, the home crowd played a part in that without a doubt. And the feel-good factor (after the victories) just builds.   

“You have to keep performing though, that’s key. You get the wins and then that just keeps building that mentality.   

“We want that, but we have to go and earn the right. There are no gimmies in the Premier League. I have learnt that from all my years.   

“So now it’s about taking the challenge on, taking the feel-good factor and the performance onto the next one.”  

Dyche also talked of his ambition to help Jordan Pickford continue to develop at the Club, with the England No.1 edging close to signing a new Goodison Park contract.

Pickford joined Everton from Sunderland in 2017 and has made 222 appearances for the Toffees to date.   

"He’s a very, very good player," added Dyche. "He’s been a great servant to this Club so far as well, and he’s going to continue to be that, I’m sure.  

"[The new deal] is a sign he’s enjoying our new regime, if you like. He’s accepted what we’re looking to offer.  

“I’m learning about Jordan. He has been very open about himself and how he feels about himself here. Now it’s about working with these players, finding the bond with them and continuing their development.   

“That’s a strange word to use with the older players, he [Pickford] has done a lot in his career. But there are all different ways you can rub off on people.   

"We will be looking at different ways to rub off on him.”