Dwight McNeil has credited Sean Dyche with helping to restore his confidence and believes the reunion with his former boss was the key ingredient to transforming his fortunes at Everton.
Dyche handed McNeil his debut as an 18-year-old and the pair spent four seasons together at Turf Moor before the Clarets sacked their manager in April and, following relegation, the forward moved to Goodison Park last summer.
McNeil joined Everton on a five-year contract for a fee that could reach £20m, and he scored twice in an eye-catching cameo against Dynamo Kyiv in his first game for the club. However, the winger, who admitted last summer that his confidence had deteriorated in tandem with Burnley’s toils, struggled to nail down a place in Frank Lampard’s starting line-up.
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But after a difficult start and some false dawns, McNeil kept working hard behind the scenes and emerged as an integral player under Dyche when he succeeded Lampard at the end of January.
The 23-year-old started every game under Dyche, and his winner at home to Brentford and his exceptional display against Brighton & Hove Albion were vital contributions in helping his side beat the drop.
McNeil’s relentless work ethic and moments of quality also endeared him to Evertonians during the second half of the season. And the England under-21 international credits Dyche and his coaching staff with getting him back to his best.
"The manager and his staff have played a big part in that. They know me," he told the Everton matchday programme. "They know what I’m like on and off the pitch and because of that I think they know how to get the best out of me.
"Having them here and their encouragement has allowed me to express myself more and get my confidence back to the point where I’m really enjoying my football again."
Reflecting on his campaign, McNeil said: "I feel like this season has gone faster than any. A lot has happened and there have been a lot of ups and downs on a personal level and as a team.
"I feel like I’m in good form. I’ve got my confidence back. It’s nice to be playing my football again, enjoying coming into training, enjoying representing this club.
"Every day I’m learning more — more about the club. It’s something I’ve been keen to learn more about since I got here. It’s all around the training ground — you can see what the club has won in the past, legends who have played here. You know it’s a massive club.
"I’ve been learning more about myself as well, on and off the pitch. I’m finding more ways to improve. I’m still a young player and I constantly want to get better."
Asked about what it is like to be an Everton player, the winger replied: "It’s an honour to wear this shirt and represent Evertonians. We’ll fight to give them what they deserve.
"There was a little bit of a surprise in that just how it would feel. Obviously, I’ve played here before as an opposition player, but to have the fans on your side is an amazing thing to be part of.
"Being here, it doesn’t take long to realise the club means everything to these fans. The minimum is giving 100 percent. Every game I make sure that is the case, then I try to let my quality come through as the game goes on.
"It’s nice to be building that relationship with the fans now and it’s not something I’ll ever take for granted. I want to keep providing big performances and important moments to keep building that connection stronger.
"We know it’s been a difficult season but you see how they back us constantly. Every game is sold out, they’re always behind us.
"They deserve huge credit for that. They're desperate for us to do well and we’re desperate to give them that."
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