For Monday night football, the Eagles head up to Goodison Park to take on Everton. Ahead of the game I caught up with Everton fan and writer Trent Nelson, who writes for the Royal Blue Mersey fan site.
TEB – How’s the fanbase feeling at the moment? You’ve had a string of positive performances without necessarily picking up lots of points (I know that feeling), but are the Toffees largely positive about Sean Dyche and the way the team are playing?
TN – It’s been up and down. A good stretch from mid-September to December put the team in a strong position even with the deduction. Yet it’s been hard over the last few months. Between difficult losses in both cups and an inability to score – the supporters are strong and with the side – but worried.
Sean Dyche is a very good manager, but he needs the players to score. If they cannot do that, it doesn’t much matter who is on the sideline.
TEB – What’s the feeling around the likely/potential takeover – is it a welcome boost to the finances/off field concerns or is it an unwelcome distraction?
TN – Moshiri is not beloved, but it doesn’t feel like 777 Partners are much better. The team needs money to be sure, but current ownership has money and has spent it. Recruitment needs to be wise, and the management of the team must be done without reactionary decision making.
Only time will ultimately tell, but a decision must be made sooner than later.
TEB – Who’s the key in terms of your playing style? A lot seems to revolve around Doucoure?
TN – He has proven a massive boon right behind the number nine, and his absence has proven his worth. The team has not found someone to replace his fierce attacking and defensive presence since, and we have seen how that has hurt the side.
Ultimately, this side wants to lay back in a highly organised manner before counterattacking. When the side is healthy and in form, it is a more ferocious side than any Dyche has managed; staying healthy remains key, however.
TEB – From what I have seen you’re playing a much more energetic style than long time Dyche watchers might expect, how would you describe Everton’s approach?
TN – Tough and menacing. Clean but ferocious. It is what Everton are all about, and it’s why the supporters appreciate Dyche, as if he were a scouser.
He has simply revived the idea we’ve always had, but the team must finish chances to make him appear as smart as many supporters feel he is.
TEB – What do you think you need in the last/next 14 games to achieve safety? Or do you think the points deficit will be reduced to make it more about getting into the top half?
TN – I personally believe the points deduction will be reduced. If it’s five we’re in a much better position than ten, but that remains to be seen.
The side needs to score. The defence is capable at this point, but we miss great chances in every match, and it invariably comes back to bite us. If we finish chances, we are easily safe – whatever happens with the points penalties.
TEB – Who’s your current pantomime villain? Still Klopp, or fully moved to the FA now?
TN – Haha many don’t hate Jurgen Klopp too much believe it or not. Some always will of course, but Rafa was more villain than Klopp I personally believe.
The FA is certainly high on the list, but it’s really only because of how transparent Everton was with the infractions, while other sides – with notably larger cases of course – continue to suffer no punishment as of now.
TEB – Assuming you stay up, what’s the priority in the summer? Selling some older players to fit the ‘sustainability’ requirements or balancing the squad?
TN – The side is moving towards sustainability concerning players to be sure, but the stadium remains a heavy cost that is not always taken into consideration.
There are some players – younger and older – that the side needs to move on from, while of course replacing them with younger and more positive pieces. More work on the forwards needs to be done, alongside a playmaker in the middle.
TEB – Lastly, what’s your prediction for Monday night?
TN – 2-1 Everton. The team needs it with Luton in mixed form but picking up points. Sorry Roy.
Cheers, Trent. Let’s hope for a cracker but also a good send off (we hope) for Roy.
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