ThewolfSean Dyche acknowledged Brighton & Hove Albion were more clinical than Everton on Saturday – but insists he will introduce his new attacking weapons only when he thinks they are ready
Sean Dyche said he will give further opportunities to Iliman Ndiaye and Jesper Lindstron when he believes they are “ready to go and perform”. Neither of the summer signings started in the 3-0 home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
Dyche’s decision not to start with either caused some disappointment inside Goodison Park after both enjoyed impressive periods during a pre-season campaign that ended with the suggestion Everton had new depth in attack.
But the Blues boss – dealing with an injury crisis that influenced decision-making elsewhere on the pitch – instead stuck with experience and players he has grown to trust over his time with the club.
That included Abdoulaye Doucoure, who has been pivotal to Dyche’s efforts to keep Everton in the Premier League through his ability to have an impact both defensively and going forward from his role between the midfield and frontman Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Lindstrom failed to make it off the bench while Ndiaye was only introduced for the final half an hour, at which point Brighton already led 2-0.
Dyche believed his set-up had the Blues in the game for the first half, when they trailed narrowly after an end-to-end opening 45 minutes.
And had referee Simon Hooper not controversially overturned his penalty decision two minutes after the break, then Everton may well have been level in the early stages of the second half.
Instead VAR intervened and the Blues fell apart in the aftermath.
Following the game, Dyche pointed to Brighton having been more clinical and acknowledged he had options in his squad that could eventually improve Everton in that department.
But when he introduces them will be down to their progress, he said. Dyche explained: “The hardest thing to affect in football is goal-scoring. Everyone knows that, which is why goal-scorers are so expensive and in demand. Clinical players in general are very hard to come by.
“We’ve brought some players in this summer who we think can be more effective. They’re going to learn about the Premier League, particularly Ili and Jesper, but they haven’t experienced it yet.
“It’s my job to give them a chance when they are ready to go and perform. At this moment, I still think there’s a bit of work to be done and a bit of awareness for them to understand about the Premier League.”
Lindstrom started for the Under-21s last night along with Beto in their EFL Trophy clash at Tranmere Rovers.
Beto scored twice late on – his second goal created by Lindstrom – before setting up Martin Sherif to seal a dramatic 3-1 victory.
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Thewolf
