Sean Dyche has praised the diligence and non-stop nature of Everton's staff to provide players with every advantage possible heading into the final weeks of the season.
Despite going down to 10 men late in the game on Saturday, the Blues battled their way to what could be a crucial point with their goalless draw against an in-form Crystal Palace.
Everton return to Goodison Park on Thursday evening looking to build on that draw by securing an important three points against Newcastle United.
Ahead of that contest, Dyche has spoken to the Official Matchday Programme and revealed the important role the Club's staff continue to play in helping to invigorate some of his own ideas and approaches.
“The staff here have been really good, really on it, super diligent and everyone is working hard to bring the things that can add value,” explains Dyche.
“You can get so used to people that sometimes you can lose the freshness in your own group. Here, I’ve come into a lot of staff that I didn’t know and now they’re hitting me with new things, different things, things that have opened my mind to changes about how we work, changes of the group and helping to get to understand different personalities.
“Some of the analysts and physios have been here for a few years now so they can guide you to the personalities. That can be difficult for staff because they don’t want to channel you into one way of thinking but give you enough to give you a head-start.
“I’ve spoken to them about that — I’ve asked them to give me enough information for a head-start, a fast-track, but leave me a little bit out there so I can make my own mind up.”
Before Dyche joined the Club in early February, Everton averaged 0.75 Premier League points per game. That’s increased to 1.08 since his arrival, reaffirming the improvements we’ve in the side under his tenure.
Maintaining progress has been an even tougher challenge in more recent weeks, though, with several key players such Abdoulaye Doucoure, Seamus Coleman and Amadou Onana sidelined through suspension and injuries.
Dyche explains how these omissions can create tricky tactical dilemmas: “We’ve been having to adapt and it’s the risk-reward scenario. The hardest decisions on that come, for example, going to Manchester United… Do we take it on? Or do we become subservient? How do you find balance?
“That’s a challenge when you’re missing very important players but you want other players to grow and mature into what we’re doing. They’re delicate decisions. It’s fair to say that the format we have when everyone was fit was quite strong, then you pick up a couple of injuries and suspensions and have to adapt it while keeping it strong.
“The biggest balance of all is defend-attack and attack-defend, both boxes will always be the key, we can all debate the bit in the middle in terms of the style and format but both boxes are important. You have to be a threat in one and defend the other really well.”
One of those key stars guaranteed to be available again for selection Thursday will be Doucoure who has finished serving his three-game suspension following his sending off against Tottenham.
The midfielder’s potential comeback could be a huge boost to the side, as could Dominic Calvert-Lewin's long-awaited return to Goodison Park action.
After 10 games out, Everton’s No.9 returned to the starting XI on Saturday against the Eagles, completing 90 minutes before being withdrawn in second-half stoppage time.
Although there would have been an obvious temptation to get the striker back into the squad as soon as he was available, Dyche has been patient with his recovery.
The minutes in the bank at Selhurst Park, however, was a significant step in helping the forward get back to his best. Dyche explains how tough it is to replicate the intensity of a Premier League game in training or behind-closed-doors matches.
“That’s the hardest thing for every manager and player is trying to get true Premier League fitness without actually playing in the Premier League,” he says.
“It’s so difficult to replicate the edge and fitness isn’t just running around. The last bit of true fitness is being in that mental, physiological, emotional state while playing in front of 40,000 fans.
"There has to be a level where we show a human element and say replicating that is going to be really difficult but we can build up to it, build in some steps to get towards it. We can all run and play games but it’s never going to feel the same as when you’re playing in front of a full Goodison Park or anywhere.”
To read Dyche's interview in full, pick up a copy of the programme around the ground on Thursday, or click here to order a copy online.
Elsewhere in the programme, there’s an interview with Amadou Onana where, amongst other things, he discusses his joy at being an Everton player and connecting with the Club's fans. Plus, Academy graduate Morgan Feeney talks about his ongoing love for Everton and his battle to help Carlisle United secure League Two promotion this season.
