Sean Dyche has insisted he will not be judged on his playing style at Everton, but on the wins he has won as the financially-strapped club seek to remain in the Premier League.
They took a significant step towards that goal on Wednesday with their first win in the Merseyside derby in 14 years at Goodison Park. After losing 2-0 to Liverpool Dish, he was aware that his approach was attracting criticism after going 13 games without a win, and said, “If possible, I want to play beautiful football, but first I want to play winning football.” insisted.
He elaborated on that point on Thursday, admitting that Everton’s predicament is more about points than style. “We have to find a way to win,” he said. “So far, the biggest decision here is winning. This is not the time for style, it’s the time to win.
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“I have always said that I am trying to get a base of work. Once I have done that and the club is in good shape, I can start developing my style. We have players from all over the world with different styles, and it’s very difficult to unite them into one unit and win the game.”
Everton will be fine as long as they pick up 41 points (their highest in the last three seasons) with four games left, but they will be deducted eight points for two breaches of the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules. . Dyche has made no apologies for the approach that will see Everton beat Brentford on Saturday and ensure Premier League survival if Luton fail to beat Wolves.
“I like direct soccer,” he said. “When we talk about playing direct football, people assume it means kicking the ball down the pitch. That’s not the case at all. How many times can you turn around and move forward? That’s what direct football is all about. It has to penetrate.
“Passing around the 6-yard line is not for me. I don’t see the value in it. I don’t see the value in it as a performance and I don’t see the value in it as a fan. Unless you’re messing up, we’re not talking about tactical football here. My idea of direct football is how quickly you can break through the opponent.”
