Sean Dyche is “shocked” and “aggrieved” at Everton’s 10-point penalty for breaches of financial regulations but says it “doesn’t change the focus” ahead of Sunday’s home game with Manchester United.
The Toffees were handed the sanction last Friday, plunging them into the relegation zone and into a battle to avoid the drop.
There has been a groundswell of support for their plight with many observers feeling the punishment is excessive but Dyche is attempting to concentrate on matters he can influence.
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He said: “I think like everyone in these parts, we’re shocked. Seemingly the wave of noise after that was most people in football were shocked.
“The enormity of it…disproportionate is a word that has been used by the club.
“Obviously we’re going to feel aggrieved by that. On the other hand it doesn’t change the focus. The focus since I’ve been here has been about sorting things out on the pitch.
“Getting the team to win, getting the team to feel different, performances to be different. We were obviously on the right lines for that and delivering strong performances I felt.
“This has given us a push backwards to come forwards again. The job hasn’t changed for me. It’s obviously made it a bit more difficult until the appeal of course.”
The focus remains on winning football matches. 👊#EVEMUN PIC.TWITTER.COM/QFMGVEKDKR
— Everton (@Everton) NOVEMBER 24, 2023
Dyche is no stranger to relegation battles due to his time at Burnley and he says Everton now need to go “harder for longer” to get out of trouble.
“It changes the viewpoint but it doesn’t change what we’re doing,” he added.
“In fact it enhances what we’re doing. We’ve just got to go harder for longer and stronger. This is what it is.
“It’s been more about refocus than anything. The group have been really good I must say. The characters we’ve got. Seamus Coleman is a good voice. Ashley Young has excellent experience. James Tarkowski, Jordan Pickford, all the senior boys are rallying.
“It is what it is, let’s get on with it. There have been plenty of challenges since I’ve got here. This is the next one.”
