Everton manager Sean Dyche has opened up about how the loss of several key players in recent weeks has caused him a number of tactical dilemmas.
After picking up six points from his first three games as Everton boss, Dyche’s side have struggled in recent weeks and are now without a win in their last five matches. That run of form has resulted in the Blues dropping into the bottom three.
Dyche, however, has been unable to call upon Abdoulaye Doucoure, Seamus Coleman, and Amadou Onana in recent weeks, with the trio either sidelined through suspension or injury. And the Everton boss has admitted that not being able to use a number of main players has presented him with problems.
READ MORE: Sean Dyche faces Dominic Calvert-Lewin decision as Everton could get triple Newcastle boost
READ MORE: Everton warned they may face 'biggest financial jeopardy in world football' with £100m loss
"We’ve been having to adapt, and it’s the risk-reward scenario," Dyche told the club’s matchday programme.
"The hardest decisions on that come, for example, going to Manchester United....do we take it on? Or do we become subservient? How do you find balance?
"That’s a challenge when you’re missing very important players but you want other players to grow and mature into what we’re doing. They’re delicate decisions.
"It’s fair to say that the format we have when everyone was fit was quite strong, then you pick up a couple of injuries and suspensions and have to adapt it while keeping it strong.
"The biggest balance of all is defend-attack and attack-defend, both boxes will always be the key, we can all debate the bit in the middle in terms of the style and format but both boxes are important. You have to be a threat in one and defend the other really well."
However, one player Dyche was able to call upon on Saturday afternoon was Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The forward completed 90 minutes in the 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park.
Everton supporters have seen very little of the goalscoring number nine over the past 18 months, but speaking ahead of Thursday’s game against Newcastle United at Goodison Park, Dyche explained just how difficult it is to get someone up to full fitness to feature in the Premier League.
"That’s the hardest thing for every manager and player is trying to get true Premier League fitness without actually playing in the Premier League," the Blues boss said.
"It’s so difficult to replicate the edge and fitness isn’t just running around. The last bit of true fitness is being in that mental, physiological, emotional state while playing in front of 40,000 fans.
"There has to be a level where we show a human element and say replicating that is going to be really difficult but we can build up to it, build in some steps to get towards it.
"We can all run and play games but it’s never going to feel the same as when you’re playing in front of a full Goodison Park or anywhere."
READ NEXT
- Inside Sean Dyche's plan to save Dominic Calvert-Lewin's Everton season
James Tarkowski issues Everton rallying cry and opens up on impact of relegation fight
Amadou Onana and Seamus Coleman injury updates given as Sean Dyche close to his Everton 'Plan A'
Dominic Calvert-Lewin fitness clue emerges as new face travels with Everton squad
Every word Roy Hodgson said in emotional take on Frank Lampard, Sean Dyche and Everton's problems
