Sean Dyche identifies two major improvements behind new Everton attacking record

As reports the LiverpoolEcho, in the first half of their match against Brentford, Everton had more shots than in any other opening 45 minutes this season. The Toffees quickly took the lead thanks to a superb strike from Dwight McNeil just 35 seconds into the game, and went on to make eight more attempts before halftime.

This statistic is just one example of the increased attacking threat demonstrated since Sean Dyche took charge. While there is still room for improvement – their inability to convert any of those additional chances made for a tense second half – Dyche is satisfied with the team’s progress. Everton has struggled to score all season and is still not clinical enough in the final third, but they have clearly improved under Dyche, with more shots and touches in and around the opposition box. In his seven games in charge, the team has recorded an xG (expected goals) of less than 1.5 only once, and they scored twice in the draw against Nottingham Forest. The challenge ahead is to convert the chances being created, and the return of Dominic Calvert-Lewin from injury could help achieve this.

Dyche acknowledges the team’s progress and aims to build on it, saying in an interview with the club’s media channel, “Over the last few games, we’ve been more effective in our attacking play. We’re entering the box with greater intent to score. We didn’t score again after the first [goal against Brentford], but we’re creating more chances and posing more problems to our opponents, which is pleasing.”

Despite earning 10 points in the last seven games and being in better form than the other bottom nine teams since Dyche took over, Everton remains only one point above the relegation zone. Dyche recognizes this and says, “We’re a work in progress, as the league table shows. We’re constantly working on improvements, particularly in our attacking play, to become more effective.”

Following the team’s 1-0 win over Brentford, Dyche stressed the importance of the players taking responsibility and seizing opportunities, saying, “I want the players to have the freedom to take chances, but they must take them when presented with the opportunity. The players showed good and strong mentality, but we still have much work to do. It’s an enjoyable step, but it’s just another step towards our ultimate goal. We have to continue taking steps forward as we did after the Arsenal game.”