Graeme Souness explains what Sean Dyche will need ‘plenty’ of at Everton

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Graeme Souness believes Everton are not ‘doomed’ to endure relegation from the Premier League this season. But he feels Sean Dyche must now show lots of his motivational skill.

Toffees owner Farhad Moshiri appointed Dyche to the Goodison Park helm this Monday to replace Frank Lampard. He fired the England icon after just under a year in charge with the Merseyside club 19th in the Premier League table. Now comes the visit of leaders, Arsenal.

Results so far this season forced Moshiri to sack Lampard and turn to Dyche, who was out of work. The Kettering-born coach had not returned to a hot seat since Burnley sacked the 51-year-old last April. He spent 10 years in charge at Turf Moor and led the club to Europe.

Dyche guided Burnley to a seventh place finish in the 2017/18 Premier League season and secured Europa League football. The Clarets did not make the group stages after losing in the qualifiers. Yet it ended their 50 year wait to return to any major European competition.

But life for Dyche at Everton begins in a relegation fight and with a visit by Premier League leaders, Arsenal. The Gunners travel to Goodison this Saturday holding a five-point lead at the top. While the Toffees are down in 19th, sitting off the bottom spot on goal difference.

Relegation is not a foregone conclusion for Everton with Dyche now in charge

Just three points separate Leicester City in 14th and Southampton in 20th, however. Dyche takes over an Everton squad which has won a division-low three games and has scored the second-least goals (15), though. Just Wolves (12) have hit the back of the net less frequent.

Facing leaders Arsenal will pose a real test with the Gunners also boasting the second-best defence. Only Newcastle United (11) have conceded fewer goals than Mikel Arteta’s table-topping team (16). But Dyche has time on his hands as the season is only half-way through.

Plus, given the small margin between 14th and 20th, Souness does not believe Dyche takes over an Everton side doomed for relegation. Even if he must now show why he got the job.

“I still don’t believe they are doomed,” Souness wrote in a Daily Mail column. “Sean Dyche has a reputation for motivational skill and he will need plenty of it. Over to you, Sean.”