Everton manager Sean Dyche is enduring a tough start to the Premier League season, with the club experiencing its worst league run in 66 years. Director of football Kevin Thelwell has spoken out in support of Dyche, acknowledging the difficult circumstances under which the manager is working. With four losses in their opening four games, conceding a staggering 13 goals, Everton sits at the bottom of the table, staring down the barrel of a challenging campaign.
A Disastrous Start to the Season
Everton’s dismal start to the 2023-24 Premier League season has been nothing short of alarming. Despite some optimism surrounding the club’s summer recruitment and pre-season preparations, the Toffees have struggled to get off the mark. With four games played and no points to show for it, they have conceded 13 goals — the most of any club across Europe’s top five leagues this season.
Adding to their league woes, Everton was also knocked out of the Carabao Cup in the third round by fellow Premier League strugglers Southampton. The penalty shootout defeat, following a 1-1 draw, only compounded the frustration for a club in desperate need of some positivity.
Dyche’s Struggles: A Lack of Resources
Kevin Thelwell, the club’s director of football, shed light on the challenges facing Dyche, emphasizing that the manager is working under “very difficult circumstances.” In an exclusive interview, Thelwell said: “Sean and I are talking regularly and consistently about what things we can do, how we can use the resources we have available to try and make things better going forward,” he said.
Thelwell’s comments suggest that financial limitations and perhaps a lack of depth in the squad are contributing factors to the poor start. Everton, a club with a proud history, has been in a precarious financial position for several seasons, a situation exacerbated by their ongoing fight to avoid relegation. The Toffees have struggled to assemble a squad capable of challenging for European spots, and instead, the focus has shifted toward mere survival.
Defensive Fragility and a Lack of Cohesion
A glaring issue in Everton’s opening games has been their defensive frailty. Conceding 13 goals in just four games is a statistic that would trouble any manager. The backline has looked disjointed and susceptible to even the most basic of attacking plays. This lack of cohesion at the back has left the team vulnerable, and Dyche’s typical ability to organize a solid defense has yet to shine through.
Going forward, Everton has been toothless, with the creativity and goal-scoring threat seemingly non-existent. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the club’s main striker, has struggled with injuries, leaving Dyche with limited options up front. The inability to convert chances and a lack of firepower in attack have only made matters worse.
Pressure Mounting on Dyche
Although Dyche is regarded as a manager with the ability to steer clubs away from relegation danger — as he did so many times at Burnley — the task at Everton seems more formidable. Pressure is naturally mounting on the manager, as results remain elusive. Fans, who have seen their team flirting with relegation in recent seasons, are growing increasingly impatient.
Despite the mounting pressure, Thelwell has expressed confidence in Dyche’s ability to turn things around. We’ve had conversations about how we move forward, and we’re working together to address the issues. We need results, and we’re all committed to achieving that,” said Thelwell.
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