Bunker mentality will SAVE Everton! Sean Dyche returns from golf break ready to lead Toffees’ fight against relegation after 10-point deduction… with ‘driven’ group ready to tackle it head on – starting against Man United
- Sean Dyche was trying to unwind on holiday when he received deduction news
- Everton fans gathered outside the Premier League’s London HQ on Friday night
- CHRIS SUTTON: Everton players must keep their heads – It’s All Kicking Off
Sean Dyche had his feet up, sitting poolside in Dubai, recovering from playing nine holes with Evertonian golfer Tommy Fleetwood.
The Toffees manager was taking a well-earned rest. He had, after all, guided the club to six wins and a draw in their last nine games to take them eight points clear of the bottom three. All seemed well.
Then came the phone call from director of football Kevin Thelwell. Within seconds, Dyche’s mid-season recharge had threatened to turn into a holiday from hell, and not just because he spent the remainder of it nursing a seasonal illness.
Everton’s manager was informed that his team were to be deducted 10 points for the club breaching financial rules, the misdemeanours taking place long before he took over as boss.
The punishment wiped out the hard work done in victories over Bournemouth, Brentford and Crystal Palace, as well as a draw with Brighton.
Sean Dyche (left) has returned from aa golfing holiday determined to guide Everton to safety
There is a siege mentality sweeping the fan-base following Everton’s 10-poin deduction
Everton were hit with the largest points deduction in the history of the Premier League
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The Premier League gave Everton a heads-up of barely two hours to digest the news before it went public at just after midday. Everton’s HQ was manic, with angered officials scrambling around to inform stakeholders, sponsors, the media and, of course, the players.
It started a chaotic week for Everton’s off-pitch staff, launching a PR offensive and vowing to appeal against the punishment, which they see as ‘disproportionate’, in the strongest way possible. Fans have also united like rarely seen before to protest against the decision. More on that later.
But while it was a long week up in the offices, things have remained fairly calm for the players and coaching staff. Back in the Middle East, Dyche took a moment to collect his thoughts – the poolside setting probably helped – and then vowed to take on the challenge.
Players were dispersed around the world with their international teams or on vacation but they were soon informed, mainly by text message. The squad WhatsApp group exploded with reaction. But after the initial feelings of injustice, came one clear and unified message.
The general feeling from the players was that they must now take hold of the situation and this was just another challenge for a club well-versed in dealing with adversity.
‘That’s when you know the group is beginning to take ownership,’ said Dyche.
‘I guide them, of course, but the group gripping it and taking ownership is a powerful thing.
‘It doesn’t guarantee results, but it gives you a whole better chance when the group is all aligned and everyone’s nose is pointing in the right direction.’
Dyche is perplexed with the deduction but has been delighted with the response of his players
He spoke of how they hold a ‘clear mindset’ and the mood in the camp remains very positive
Due to the international break, it wasn’t until Friday morning that Everton held a team meeting.
Club captain Seamus Coleman was the most vocal, aided by James Tarkowski, Ashley Young, Jordan Pickford, Idrissa Gueye and Abdoulaye Doucoure in speaking to the group.
‘All the senior boys have rallied and said, “It is what it is, let’s get on with it, let’s take it on, let’s take on the next challenge”,’ said Dyche. ‘There’s been plenty of them since I’ve been here – so let’s take it on.
‘They are driven by the fact that on the pitch is still the vital thing. The results and performances have shown we are doing well.
‘We’re well-versed in (challenges), there’s always been noise around things other than what’s on the pitch. But the players are in a clear mindset.’
Dyche told reporters to ask again after another 10 games when quizzed on whether this could be a galvanising moment in Everton’s season, but there is no doubting that everyone at the club is pulling in the right direction. Players are said to be delighted with Dyche’s management and there is a real togetherness in the group.
‘We were taken by surprise,’ said winger Jack Harrison of the punishment. ‘But I’m more surprised by the reaction of the players. Everyone is in such a good place mentally.
‘Even though we’ve had 10 points deducted and you can throw that at us, we’re going to come back twice as hard.
A group of Everton fans headed to the Premier League’s London office armed with a ‘Corrupt’ flag to protest their 10-point deduction for breaching the league’s financial rules
Fans have planned a series of plans across the weekend to make sure their voices are heard
‘We will do everything to come back twice as strong. It’s up to us now, as players and as a club and with the fans coming together, to help drive that mentality and that willingness to compete every week and get those points back.’
London-based fans gathered outside the Premier League HQ in Paddington to protest on Friday night, while many gestures are planned over the weekend, starting with a plane being flown over the Etihad Stadium on Saturday during Manchester City’s game against Liverpool.
Fan group The 1878s have raised more than £40,000, which is going towards thousands of placards reading ‘Premier League corrupt’, as well as banners and flags, for the visit of Manchester United on Sunday. An ‘atmosphere walk’ up to Goodison Park will also take place.
‘The swell of Toffees getting behind the club, the feeling among Evertonians, they feel it’s been unjust,’ said Dyche.
‘They feel it’s time to stand even stronger than ever. The way they do that is their choice. We travel with numbers. All we can ask is to keep backing us.
‘I will be amazed if the Evertonians are not on song. I am learning about Evertonians and how they commit to the club and the cause.
‘It doesn’t guarantee you’ll win but it gives you a better chance. They are right behind us and the players are saying, “Come on, let’s take it on again”.’
Fan group The 1878s raised more than £40,000, which has gone towards Sunday’s protest
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