- 2 years ago
Dyche looking to keep Everton form going at Crystal Palace
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00:00 Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to our pre-match press conference.
00:04 A preview again against Crystal Palace.
00:06 We'll start off with Sanny at Sky Sports.
00:08 Hi, Sean.
00:09 You just had your team meeting as well, which I'm guessing has gone well.
00:11 Three wins out of five in all competitions.
00:14 It must be a pretty good week so far.
00:16 Yes, I think we've been building on early season performances,
00:19 but changing that to get results.
00:21 The details I spoke about, both ends of the pitch are improving.
00:25 The will, the demand has been obvious, I think, from the players to make sure
00:29 that we do improve on them, metrics and take our chances.
00:32 And be solid the other end.
00:34 So a good mix so far, or certainly recently, bringing early season form
00:38 but without results into form plus results.
00:41 In the 1-0 against Brighton, you had only 20% of the ball.
00:45 Do you think possession football, and all the talk about that, is it overrated?
00:48 I don't think it's overrated.
00:49 I think there's certain games require certain ways of playing.
00:53 We hope to do better with the ball, I must make that clear,
00:56 particularly on counter-attacking when we got in so many good positions.
01:00 But on the other side, the defensive side was very good, very pleasing.
01:04 The will, demand, the energy of the side and the commitment to
01:08 basically let them, or sorry, stop them from creating many chances.
01:12 They get a lucky break.
01:14 Sometimes that happens.
01:15 They're a very good side.
01:17 But no, I think we've seen a balance this season of the way that we can perform.
01:20 We've seen games where we've dominated with the ball
01:23 and the metrics with the ball.
01:24 I spoke about that more early in the season, XG, etc.
01:27 But it's pleasing for me as the manager to see different ways of affecting games,
01:32 because over a season in the Premier League, I think I'm pretty experienced in it.
01:35 Unless you're the superpowers,
01:38 particularly historically over the last number of years in Man City,
01:41 I think you have to flex and change.
01:43 That's what I've learned about the Premier League,
01:45 and I think we're showing signs that we can do that and the players can do that.
01:48 VAR, it seems a conversation that you can have every single week.
01:52 I know there were some issues for you last week.
01:54 Are we any nearer or further away, do you think, from a bit of clarity?
01:58 Well, I think it's a tough call.
01:59 They're altering it, they're changing it.
02:01 Officials in general, they're trying to promote new officials.
02:04 They're trying to get growth in the officials and,
02:06 you know, how they can blend into the Premier League.
02:11 It's not easy.
02:11 It's not easy for the governing bodies to do that.
02:13 Not easy for the referees either.
02:15 I've said for many years that the three highest demands on a match day are the two managers and the referee.
02:20 Within that, I think there's just some things that we think,
02:22 commonsensically, could be better and, I think, quicker.
02:24 And I think that's probably where we just get a little bit lost in it,
02:28 as managers and coaches and players, and I think the fans as well.
02:31 I spoke recently, and I am still a fan of it, I've got to be honest,
02:34 because the margins are tight and they're very, very important.
02:36 It's top-level sport and it's top-level outcomes,
02:39 and financially can be a massive difference in football
02:42 from big, important decisions.
02:46 I just spoke recently about, you know, even when there's always a rule for a rule
02:49 and there seems to be a rule for every VR situation,
02:51 when you could take all that away and just put more strength in the VR,
02:54 people would go, 'Look, you know, we've had two this season,
02:57 you know what they are, massive decisions that were clearly obvious to everyone in the stadium
03:01 that didn't get corrected because of a certain reason why they're not allowed to correct them.
03:06 For me, there should be an override.
03:07 If it's a bad decision, it's a bad decision, end of.
03:09 Don't need a rule to decide a bad decision.
03:11 They should go, 'Right, that's it.
03:12 That's a bad decision,' and change it.
03:13 It's not as easy as I'm suggesting.
03:17 I'm sure of that, because everyone will have a different view.
03:19 But I think there's a more commonsensical way that it can work.
03:21 And I think they are trying to find that.
03:23 On the other hand, the demand of it is quite obvious.
03:27 You know, stories of referees speak to the crowd and all this sort of stuff.
03:31 You know, my personal nirvana is referees go under the radar,
03:34 allowed to do their job and they do it so well, we hardly notice them,
03:37 not bring them to the fore.
03:38 But that's only a personal opinion.
03:40 I've got a lot of respect for referees.
03:41 I think it's a hard job.
03:42 Yeah, just on that.
03:43 Do you think the discourse at the moment, are we fair to referees?
03:46 Because there's so much spotlight on them.
03:48 And, you know, it's such a difficult job.
03:50 But that's the thing.
03:50 I don't, you know, I can't understand the spotlight in the sense of,
03:54 you could change that because, you know, this idea of,
03:57 I spoke after the Liverpool game, people running over to the screen
04:00 and we'll know what's going to, well, we'll more or less know
04:03 what the outcome is going to be.
04:05 So just add some more spotlight on it.
04:06 Take that away.
04:07 Make it quicker.
04:08 Make it more streamlined.
04:10 Personally, I don't need to hear from the referee and the VAR.
04:13 I don't think the stadium needs to hear it.
04:14 It's a decision it's made.
04:15 We get on with it.
04:16 You know, I think it's a hard job.
04:17 I think I was hoping when the VAR first came in,
04:20 it was streamlined in every season it was,
04:22 and to a point when we all got used to it and it was pretty quick.
04:24 It seems to recently have gone the other way.
04:27 The demand gets higher.
04:28 And, you know, even if, in my opinion, this is purely my opinion,
04:33 if a referee had the ability to speak to everyone in the stadium,
04:35 everyone presupposes because they explained that they'd all agree.
04:37 Of course they wouldn't agree.
04:39 Football fans, they're all going to agree.
04:40 They're still all going to agree.
04:41 So therefore, I just, I can't see that.
04:43 I think allow them to go out the spotlight, do their jobs.
04:46 I think they have a really tough task as referees.
04:49 We ask a lot of them.
04:50 So my personal belief is just help them.
04:52 Don't keep adding more level to it and layers to it.
04:55 Just take that all away, make it all quiet and down and let them get on with their jobs.
04:59 Finally for me, back to the football.
05:00 Crystal Palace away on Saturday.
05:03 Does the team find it easier, perhaps, playing away from home than home at the moment?
05:06 No, I don't think so.
05:07 I think the, I've spoken recently about this, the results change that perception.
05:13 I think the performance has been really strong at home.
05:16 The results change the whole feel of that.
05:18 I think we've been, I think we've actually been strong often home and away.
05:21 There's been a few that have got away from us.
05:22 We know that. Hopefully we've corrected some of them things.
05:26 But no, Palace is a good club, fantastic manager.
05:30 Rayleigh as well, people I hold in absolute high regard.
05:33 So I look forward to seeing them.
05:34 But obviously all the respect goes out the window when the whistle blows.
05:38 Sean, just picking up on that, can I ask you about your thoughts on Roy Hodgson?
05:42 Because he seems to get better with age, doesn't he?
05:44 He was retired a couple of times.
05:46 I tell him every time I see him, I've been telling him, like this week, 'what are you doing?'
05:50 So I say, 'what are you doing this for?
05:51 Come on, mate.' You know what I mean? In a lovely way, you understand.
05:55 Terrific fella, always been terrific.
05:57 Me, when I was younger, coming through, whenever I met him, come across him.
06:00 I know him a bit through some work and connections I've done with leaders in sport as well.
06:04 He's always at them events, speaks very wisely.
06:07 And Ray Lewin, who was my manager at Watford, and I've always got on fantastically with Ray.
06:11 He was a great gaffer as well.
06:12 So, you know, I like a lot of what they are and what they do.
06:16 Respect them, and that's without a shadow of a doubt.
06:17 But they know, and I know, the whistle blows, as I said, and that all goes out the window forever along the referee plays.
06:22 And then afterwards, I hope to go and see him and have a chat.
06:25 Has Roy ever given away any of those secrets?
06:28 No, I don't think he works in that way.
06:29 I really don't. I think he's quite open.
06:32 I think he believes in what he's done.
06:33 He's formed it over many, many years and many experiences.
06:36 I think he sticks to how he works with players and how he believes in the game.
06:39 And it's paid him back.
06:40 It's served him very, very well.
06:41 And he's still going.
06:43 I certainly won't be able to tell him that every time I see him again.
06:46 I'm not going to be doing it when I'm your age, mate.
06:48 But it's a marvel to the fact that he's still got the bug in the heart and desire to keep doing it.
06:51 And Ray as well.
06:52 And what are your thoughts on Crystal Palace, especially recently?
06:55 Because obviously, before last weekend, I think it was one win in six.
06:59 They then win last weekend and the narrative changes to they've taken seven points from 15.
07:05 Well, that's life in the Premier League.
07:06 That's life at clubs who are not the superpowers.
07:09 You have the ups and downs, the ins and outs.
07:12 Good club.
07:12 Roy's done a good job.
07:14 Like all clubs, I think of that kind of ilk, like trying to find that blend.
07:18 You know, a side that can play, a side that can fight, a side that can get points on the table.
07:22 And it's a challenge.
07:23 It's simple as that.
07:24 So they've had a bit of an awkward spell.
07:27 I think Roy spoke what seemingly, I've seen the game on the screen, not live,
07:31 but he spoke pretty honestly after the Burningham and he felt they didn't play that well.
07:34 But they got the result.
07:35 Sometimes what you have to do.
07:37 And concentrating on Everton specifically for this one, any changes in the team news for this one?
07:43 No, a couple of knocks with Amadou and Jarrah's got a bit of a knock,
07:48 but we're not expecting too much from Dukes.
07:50 Had a bit of sickness, but they've all been on the grass today, so we're hopeful on them.
07:54 Hopeful on Onana coming back?
07:56 Yes, I think he should be.
07:57 I say they've been on the grass, as we know, still see how that reacts tomorrow.
08:01 But he's managed that well.
08:02 He's done well to get through the games he did.
08:04 Hopefully, we've managed that well with him as well.
08:06 And it's calmed down.
08:07 Thank you.
08:08 Thank you.
08:09 Next question, we'll go to Julia, Radio Mersey.
08:12 Excuse me.
08:13 Hi Sean.
08:15 Hi.
08:16 In the Under-21 game this week, Yusuf Chimiti, Lewis Dobbin,
08:20 Giles Virginia, Seamus Coleman, all featured in that.
08:22 I guess the big one there is Seamus Coleman.
08:24 He lasted over an hour.
08:25 Is he in contention for this game?
08:27 Yes, I mean, it's important, these games, because we want to stimulate the players to get back to full fitness, full sharpness.
08:34 The games programme can be awkward, ranging games.
08:37 So it was a game that we felt they could get something from, particularly Seamus, of course.
08:41 He's still come back to true fitness, but he's doing great.
08:43 He's put a lot of effort into getting back to real fitness levels.
08:48 He's desperate to get back involved, you can imagine, and be around it.
08:51 But he's been terrific since he's been back around the group, and that helps.
08:55 Yusuf getting a goal and working very hard.
08:57 Dobbo needed a game, playing well.
08:59 You know, some good habits.
09:01 I'm pleased for the young players to come through that.
09:04 Another good sign of a group working hard to get a result.
09:07 I saw your interview this week where you mentioned about Dele Alli.
09:11 I was having a conversation with you about how he understood what you wanted to do about direct play.
09:14 I just wondered if he has been helping maybe in training while he can't play on a match day.
09:19 And also, the fans will want me to ask, are we expecting him sooner rather than later?
09:23 No, he's still got a bit of way to go.
09:26 But no, I wanted to try and get him involved.
09:28 I think he's in a good place as a person.
09:30 I like the fact he absorbs it.
09:31 He's had some amazing experiences.
09:33 Don't forget, people sometimes do forget that for still a relatively young player.
09:37 And I was just chatting to him about it.
09:39 I just said, you know, I want to try and keep him involved in what we're trying to do with the group.
09:42 It's hard when you're out for that long.
09:43 You know, it really is.
09:45 And he's been through a lot over that period as well.
09:47 And it was just a conversation I had with him, and he just brought something up that I thought was really important and shared it with the players.
09:52 I said, look, having a conversation.
09:54 And he described it very well about this idea of direct play.
09:57 People presuppose that means kicking the ball, but it doesn't.
10:00 And he was on it straight away.
10:01 He said, I get exactly what you mean.
10:03 You know, can you play forwards is a first thought.
10:06 And he said, maybe the players need a bit more correcting with that.
10:10 So I told the players of the conversation, you know, I will try and be open with the players and I want their feedback.
10:13 I want them to let us know if they're not understanding something.
10:16 More than happy for him to question things and ask why's and wherefores.
10:20 And he did that in a very good manner.
10:22 And I just thought it was important to share it and share the belief I have in all the players when they do feedback, because we do listen.
10:28 He's a manager in the making maybe then.
10:29 Well, who knows? But he certainly had a lot of experiences.
10:32 Might stand him in good stead later on in life if he decides to go down that route.
10:35 Vitaly Mikhalenko's form is winning a lot of praise right now.
10:39 I just wondered what you made of his progress since you've arrived here
10:43 and also how he's linking up with Dwight McNeil now he's getting his fitness back.
10:47 Yeah, I think that, you know, Mikko finished last season injured, which is not ideal.
10:51 Got injured early this season.
10:52 It was an awkward spell of niggly injuries.
10:56 He came through the international scene and come back here fitter.
11:00 And he's done very well.
11:01 You know, as soon as I got here, I liked what I was seeing.
11:03 I think there's still lots of development in him.
11:05 He defends very well.
11:06 He defends a very high level kind of modern controlled aggression.
11:11 You know, he's good on his feet.
11:12 He wants to defend, but not silly stuff, just the way he competes.
11:16 And I think it's growing all the time.
11:17 I think he's really improving.
11:18 I've really enjoyed his performances.
11:20 And Abdoulaye Dekore has decided that in January he's going to stay here.
11:24 He won't be part of the Africa Cup of Nations.
11:26 What does that mean to you as a manager
11:28 and what's been the reaction within the squad to that?
11:30 Well, I've always been respectful of players on the international scene,
11:34 so I think it's valid.
11:35 You know, it means a lot to him to do that and play for countries and the like.
11:38 So I think in his case, he's old enough and wise enough to make decisions.
11:42 You know, it's not something he needed to speak in depth to me about.
11:46 And it was a decision that he's made.
11:49 Thank you.
11:50 Thanks, Julian. We'll go to Ian at the Press Association.
11:52 Just a quick one, Sean.
11:57 There's been speculation again about Ben Godfrey and his future.
12:00 Is he still in your plans?
12:02 Yes, he's doing terrifically well for us.
12:04 He's training very well.
12:05 He's staying sharp and ready.
12:08 The hardest thing we've had lately is the games programme to try and keep the players
12:11 who are not quite playing, starting in the first team, trying to keep them game ready.
12:15 But he looks after himself, super fit fellow,
12:18 and he's going along well and he's ready.
12:20 Is there anything more you're looking for him to get back into the side?
12:24 Well, I think it's fair to say currently it's tough.
12:26 I think the two centre-halves are playing very, very well.
12:28 And most people are speaking outside of my opinion and decision.
12:32 I think most people accept that.
12:33 And sometimes the centre-half I was on, it's tough, you know, because you want to play.
12:37 But I think there's an honesty to most centre-halves in the sense when they look at someone
12:40 and think they are playing well, they know they've got to sit tight.
12:42 And I think he does know that.
12:43 I think he's a very good player, but he's looking at two centre-halves
12:46 who are currently on very, very strong form.
12:48 Thank you.
12:49 Thanks. Any further questions in the open section?
12:52 Hi, Sean. Amadou Hnaouna has been in great form
12:58 and he currently ranks fourth in the league for successful long balls,
13:01 with only Rodri, Thiago Silva and Moises Caicedo ahead of him.
13:04 He's currently averaging twice as many as last season.
13:06 Rodri, is he allowed to pass it long?
13:09 How dare he?
13:10 When I see him, I should tell him off.
13:13 What would you put the improvement down to from a technical standpoint?
13:15 Because obviously he's been really strong defensively.
13:17 Is it simply just a case of in the second season in England,
13:20 he's more confident or maybe something you've worked on?
13:22 I think he's maturing as a player.
13:24 I think he's realised the defensive responsibility better.
13:28 I think he's doing it better.
13:29 I think he's seeing the game quicker, which I've spoken
13:33 endlessly about to him and shown him some clips, him and Jimmy, to be fair.
13:36 You know, Ganna's slightly different with his maturity.
13:38 He sees things a bit quicker.
13:40 I've spoken to Amadou and Jimmy about the importance of their positional sense.
13:44 Whilst trying to allow them the freedom to play as well, because they can both play.
13:48 They're very good on the ball, I think, and I think there's more to come.
13:52 And then putting in the hard yards, because the top midfield players
13:55 historically have always covered the ground.
13:57 And I think he's improved with that.
13:59 The mental aspects, the literal basics of working really hard as a midfield player.
14:03 Like I say, you've got Ganna there with his experience, rubbing off on him.
14:07 Duke, slightly differently, playing a more advanced role.
14:09 But there's a good group there, I think, of midfield players who can rub off on each other.
14:14 What do you think his ceiling is?
14:17 I think like any player, you can go as hard as you want for as long as you want.
14:19 I mean, you know, I look at Youngie and I look at Seamus, you know,
14:22 they're still working hard at their game.
14:24 I think the way that I've always worked is not about age, it's about desire.
14:28 It's about the will.
14:28 It's about what you want from yourself.
14:30 And I think for the younger players here, you know, the world of football is open to them.
14:34 So, you know, I don't put any limits on them.
14:36 You know, just keep improving, keep being hungry to improve all of the time.
14:39 I think that's the message from me.
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