Sean Dyche has called upon his Everton players to feed off the home support on Thursday to force a fast start against their high-flying opponents. However, he also wants that to be a platform on which to produce a well-rounded and consistent 90-minute display.
Eddie Howe’s side will arrive on Merseyside (7.45pm kick-off BST) in high spirits following their dominant 6-1 victory over Tottenham on Sunday afternoon.
That result helped the Magpies climb up to third in the Premier League table, and they’ll aim to strengthen their grip on a place in the Champions League spots with another positive result against Everton.
However, they are set to face a raucous atmosphere at the Grand Old Lady which will be enhanced by a players’ coach welcome set to take place pre-game on Goodison Road.
Previewing the clash on Wednesday afternoon at Finch Farm, Dyche said: “Newcastle are a strong unit, you have seen that this season.
“They signed players in January and in the summer. But also, there’s been good coaching, I have always respected Eddie, what he has done and continues to do. That’s clear from the table and their league performances.
“We know we must start well in every game. We have in a lot since I have been here. We have to continue that but also add to it. What I talk about is in terms of consistency throughout a game. We have had strong periods in games but haven't got our noses in front or taken our chances.
“You have to keep that consistent performance throughout the 90 minutes, that’s still a working process. We are looking to start the game well and will of course be ably supported by our fans."
Thursday night will be the first occasion in which there’s been a players’ coach welcome since Dyche arrived at the Club.
But while he’s yet to experience the electrifying greeting personally, Dyche admits he has admired such welcomes from afar in the past and believes it could be beneficial in helping to create a positive atmosphere inside the ground.
“It was well-documented last season [how good the fans were],” he told. “A couple of the fan groups have mentioned bringing the welcome back, and I have got massive respect for them. Purely because of what I have seen and heard from the fans, home and away since I have been here. They want to play their part and try to help make a difference.
“Beyond that, we want the team to play their part. We are looking for the team to make a difference. If the fans can continue the support they have provided, which has been fantastic, then I respect that totally.
“[The coach welcome] helps to create an atmosphere. But like I say, the focus remains on the whistle blowing because that support alone can’t win you a game. You have to make sure you are in the right frame of mind, anyway, but if the fans can help play their part, then great.”
Abdoulaye Doucoure will be available for selection again on Thursday night after serving a three-match suspension for his sending off against Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month.
While Dyche wouldn’t be drawn into whether he’d return to the starting line-up right away, he did praise the midfielder for the influential role he’s played since the manager joined the Club at the end of January.
“There are no guarantees, but when he came into the side previously, he did make a difference,” explained Dyche.
“Whether he’s playing in the three or as the more advanced of the three, he added to us with his energy and his application. He has scored, had big moments and was a driving force behind the team unit. We want the whole team to be like that, but he was the catalyst in certain games. Other players followed that, but now we want other players to lead it, and him to play his part in it.”
He added: “You want players to look after themselves when they’re not playing, and he’s certainly done that and he’ll be ready to come back in.”
