As I am writing these notes ahead of our game against Newcastle United, I am unable to comment on how that match unfolded. However, my message to the players will remain consistent.
It’s an old cliché in football but we must take on each challenge as it comes, particularly when the schedule is as busy as it is this month. In addition to that, we must focus knowing that one performance - good or otherwise - never guarantees the next.
We are locking in a strong mentality here, something I was keen to achieve from the moment I arrived at Everton, because that inner resilience is, in my opinion, one of the fundamental parts of a strong foundation.
When you start to layer on the growing unity between staff, players and fans - that has been on show at our football club yet again over the past few weeks - then you can start to see something very powerful to build around.
I like that, in the face of taking a knock with the points deduction, our mentality has remained firm and we’re continuing working on the same path with the same internal belief that we have built amongst ourselves.
The external noise, which will always exist, seems to suggest that the three promoted teams are likely to have a tough season, but it’s not as simple as that. We saw earlier this week how close Luton came to beating Arsenal - and that’s the way this league can be.
To suggest we will be okay because three other teams are struggling is not a guarantee and I certainly don’t see it that way. They are three teams that have earned the right to be in the Premier League and we’ve got to earn the right to finish above any team in this league.
The 10-point deduction has changed the picture, quite obviously, and the appeal to see if that changes is currently being dealt with by other people in the Club.
So, then, it’s back to us and how we continue to find ways of winning games. I’m a big believer in dealing with the reality that’s in front of you, or positive realities, as I like to call them. I believe in the positivity of what we can do and what we can achieve. No excuses. No excuses from me, my staff or any of our players about it - this is the challenge we have in front of us. Now let’s crack on with looking after it.
On the pitch, where my primary concern will always be, I believe, while it is still a work in progress, we are becoming more consistent. The hard yards will always be a non-negotiable and with that has come a growing sense of teamship. Those things combined with the quality I truly believe we have in our squad provide us a very good base to move forward from.
It goes without saying it has been an eventful 10-and-a-bit months as manager of this great football club but to be a custodian here is something that always fills me with pride. My job, of course, is to build something that is lasting for you to be proud of and, meanwhile, I am learning more about the intricacies of what it means to be an Evertonian each and every day.
There have been obvious setbacks during my relatively short tenure and while there is undoubtedly lots of hard work - on and off the pitch - ahead of us, I believe we are shifting in the right direction towards a brighter future.
Today we welcome Mauricio Pochettino, his players, staff and everyone connected to Chelsea.
Mauricio is a manager who I have respected for a long time and someone I believe has very strong principles in terms of how he sets up his teams to play.
The Chelsea squad is packed with talent after big investment and their team will pose threats from all over the pitch but, as ever, we will be ready to stand up and face the challenge head on.
We know if we execute our proactive approach and with your backing, we can make Goodison Park an extremely tough test for any side. That is the aim today as we search for another win to climb the league table.
Finally, this month is five years since the Club launched its All Together Now campaign to celebrate and champion equality, diversity and inclusivity. In my time at Everton, I’ve already seen the great work that goes on throughout the Club and Everton in the Community and it is a timely reminder that our sport is to be enjoyed by everyone.
Enjoy the game,
Sean
