‘I must have more changes than Pep’ – Sean Dyche explains willingness to experiment with Everton squad

Sean Dyche has said he is ready to continue experimenting with his Everton squad as he looks for answers to the club’s poor start to the season.    The Blues conceded a draw against Leicester City on Saturday to extend their Premier League winless run to five games.

   But the Everton boss, forced into changes by injury and illness, said he could find positives amid the frustrations.

   One of the biggest improvements has been in midfield, where the absence of Idriss Gueye Dyche has forced a redeployment.

   A first Premier League start on deadline day signing Orel Mangala and Dyche’s decision to drop Abdoulaye Doucoure into a deeper role alongside him paid off in large parts of the game.

   Mangala retained possession and increased his composure, while Doucoure provided a valuable shield to a defense that struggled in the early stages of the campaign.

   After the game, Dyche praised summer arrival Timo Iroegbunam, who was dropped to the bench, but hinted that the new partnership had spurred him on.

   Asked what he wanted from such a midfield pairing, he said: “Doucoure’s legs. Mangala with his skill. Tim [Iroegbunam] has done well but he is still young.

   “People forget that he was probably in a situation where he probably wouldn’t have played as much as he did. So we have to be careful. He’s going to do well and continue to develop. Mangala is a bit more rounded and experienced. Douc has done very well  also cut off with his energy and legs.”

   James Garner has become the latest player to start at right-back amid Everton’s injury woes, and Dyche said he thinks the 22-year-old is “fantastic” – especially considering he is in the final stages  weeks struck by illness.

   Mason Holgate, Seamus Coleman, Jake O’Brien, Ashley Young, Roman Dixon and Jack Harrison all spent time on the right side of defense at the start of the season.

   Elsewhere, Dyche has taken confidence from the performances of winger Jesper Lindström in his two starts this week and from moving Dwight McNeil to a centre-forward position to start Iliman Ndiaye on the left.

   Explaining his changes ahead of Leicester, Dyche said his approach this season showed a willingness to try different options in an attempt to solve problems.    He said: “You know the definition of insanity [to keep doing the same thing and hope for a different result], so I have to look at it too. We’ve changed it more than people think. Dwight in 10, three back, five back, 4-4-1  -1, 4-1-4-1.

   “For someone who has been told that I never change anything, I must have more changes than Pep [Guardiola]. We talked about how we could bring that feeling and fix it. It just means we tried to give him  different feeling, can win the game.”