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Journalist Chris Beesley believes Dwight McNeil has embraced Sean Dyche’s favourite six-word saying during recent weeks for Everton.
The Toffees manager has repeatedly stated: “The minimum requirement is maximum effort,” and Beesley thinks McNeil has been an example of this through his excellent form after being reunited with his former Burnley boss.
Writing for the Liverpool ECHO, Beesley explained: “McNeil is standing up to be counted.
“Like many of his teammates, the Rochdale-born player impressed during the 5-1 romp at Brighton & Hove Albion with data compiled by Comparisonator showing that in he was first place in half a dozen different offensive parameters (goals, assists, shot assists, successful attacking actions, touches in the box, expected goals) out of those playing as a left winger in the Premier League that weekend.
“Sometimes it’s more telling what you do when the chips are down, and McNeil still produced his fair share of standout figures in Everton’s 3-0 home defeat against a Manchester City side closing in on retaining the Premier League title.
“His one expected assist was the highest figure from those in his position that matchday with his two shot assists only bettered by Renan Lodi’s three for Nottingham Forest while his 10 attacking actions was third in the division behind Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling (18) and Newcastle United’s Joe Willock (12).”
Elsewhere, in an article for the Liverpool World, Will Rooney explores a potential dilemma for Everton heading into Saturday’s game against Wolves.
“Conor Coady will be unavailable when Everton face Wolves on Saturday,” Rooney noted, due to Wolves being loanee Coady’s parent club. “The defender made his first appearance for the best part of three months in last Sunday's 3-0 loss to Manchester City.
“The 30-year-old was introduced in the 55th minute when Everton switched to a three-man defence - and his performance affected the game, according to Dyche.
“Certainly, it might have been an option for the Toffees boss for Coady start the next game in the new formation. Vitalii Mykolenko is doubtful after picking up a groin injury before City while Dwight McNeil caught the eye after he was switched to a left wing-back role after Coady came on.
“But handing Coady an appearance against Wolves is not an option for Dyche.”
