Sean Dyche has revealed the message he has been telling his Everton side since his appointment back in January.
Dyche has won three of his first eight matches after succeeding Frank Lampard at the end of January. Those three victories, along with two draws, have been enough to move the Blues out of the relegation zone.
Everton also entered the international break on the back of a three-game unbeaten run and speaking to evertontv, Dyche explained that reminding his side of their abilities and capabilities has been his message since he arrived at the club.
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“They are all good players, I have reminded them,” he said. “I have seen the record, what some of the players have won and what they have done in the game.
“I have said ‘lads, you are very good footballers.’ You get a few knocks in football, that is the way it goes. You have got to shake that down.
“Let’s build a mentality from within. Start within, and it just ripples out to everyone. It’s already beginning to.
“People are realising this is a handy group of players, that will fight, work and defend like their lives depend on it. These are important factors.”
The Everton boss then added: “When you get all of them basics right and the hard yards right, it’s no surprise to anyone that the quality beginning to show.
“There’s still work to be done, but they are beginning to find the moments. Big moments. Scoring two away from home again, these are good signs.”
Everton return to action against Tottenham Hotspur on Monday night, and Dyche has also been encouraged by the resilient performances that his side have offered up in recent weeks.
He said: “You have got to remember; I see the work on the training ground. I see the detail.
“We are on a nice little run of form. Of course, football is about results, but there has to be something behind the results. There has to be a way you are going in order to get these results. I have said it many times recently, you will take a lucky one.
“Everyone will take a lucky one. But there has to be a future in what you are doing. There has to be a way you are working that is actually getting the points and wins.
“I think we can clearly see that. I am really pleased with that from the players' point of view. They are adapting, learning and working. Even at places like Stamford Bridge.
“I know Chelsea have been a bit up and down, but they’d just previously won three on the trot. You see the quality and money they have spent.
“But we are shaking all of that off and reminding ourselves that we are a good group, an effective group of players. That can only add to the layers and mentality that I keep talking about.”
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