Everton FC correspondent Joe Thomas reports from Sean Dyche’s pre-Newcastle United press conference at Finch Farm
Sean Dyche’s pre-Newcastle United press conference was mundane and it was lovely. I repeat – his appearance at Finch Farm was a tame affair and that, in some ways, is cause for celebration.
Week after week, for most of his 21-month reign, Dyche’s Thursday afternoon appearances have been steeped in intrigue, tension or concern. They have been landmarks within weeks often dominated by chaos – on and off the pitch.
This season is just six league games old and we have already had to deal with the business end of the transfer market, the fallout from the controversial mutterings of one prospective new owner, the reaction to a takeover being agreed with another, and injury and illness crises.
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The press conferences for so long have been a reflection of the state of the club and if that is still the case then there is room for optimism.
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Aside from a brief query about whether Dyche had spoken with The Friedkin Group or is placing any weight in the claims they will provide him with a war chest for the January transfer market (he hasn’t and he isn’t), this was all about football.
And even on that front, the mood was relatively positive – the injury crisis has abated, and Everton prepare for the weekend’s match at home to Newcastle United fuelled by the morale-boosting first Premier League win of the campaign.
Dwight McNeil has been shortlisted for player and goal of the month having emerged as a creative force in the middle of the pitch. Dyche was even early.
Before proceedings kicked off there was the unveiling of Joe Royle Lane, the renaming of the drive through the training ground in honour of the Blues’ FA Cup-winning manager.
Royle was present for the launch ceremony and that such a poignant moment came against a backdrop of calm made the occasion all the more significant.
The closest this Thursday afternoon came to any drama was when Dominic Calvert-Lewin accidentally walked into the media room to the sight of the early arrivals eating their lunch. Everyone was surprised.
Instead, this was a press conference without headlines and that should come as welcome news for those in and around a club that has provided the material for too many big stories over recent years.