Sean Dyche admits building a positive mentality within the group at Everton is a working process, but is confident there has been plenty of evidence his players are heading in the right direction.   

After two disappointing recent results, Everton travel to Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon looking to secure a crucial positive result against Steve Cooper’s men who sit just four points clear of the Blues in the Premier League table.   

Despite going into the clash on the back of two defeats, there were plenty of plus points from a performance perspective in recent matches against Aston Villa and Arsenal, and Dyche has called on his players to keep showing more going forward.  

Speaking in Friday afternoon’s press conference at Finch Farm, Dyche said: “Since I have been here, I have seen it (players stepping up). I think that’s been obvious, I hope, with most of our performances.   

“There’s been players who have been saying, ‘I am ready’. We want that to continue. We want that positive edge, we want that to continue. That thing rubs off with players.   

“Some players play in that way where they are making the difference, and that rubs off very quickly. We want more players to take that on and more players to join in with that mentality when people are playing right at the top of their game.   

“That’s why training is important. Why preparation is important. To give them the freedom when they get out there to go and take it on. To have that edge to their performances, we are trying to build that mentality constantly.”  

Everton failed to find the back of the net in their two most recent outings, despite some bright attacking moments in both matches.   

Against Aston Villa, the Blues accumulated 15 shots, their joint-highest total since August. While against Arsenal, they attempted five shots on target. They last registered more in October.   

Neal Maupay led the Everton attack for both contests and Dyche believes it is only a matter of time before the hard-working Frenchman’s fortunes in front of goal change, especially because of the good work he’s doing in terms of getting into dangerous positions.   

“We are working with the players; they are working hard. Neal Maupay is working extremely hard for the team,” explained Dyche. “He is finding chances and they will start going in statistically. 

“The stats do start coming your way. If you have not been scoring, it will start coming your way as a striker, because you will get to the point where you will score. That’s the way football is, you will score goals.   

“All we try and do as a team is increase the chances and increase the expectancy, volume and make them come quicker.”   

He added: “I am saying to Neal, ‘Keep getting in the right areas’ because he is getting in the right areas. He is having chances; he’s had a couple cleared off the line in recent games. One will go in. He needs to continue to get in the right areas."