Sean Dyche feels Everton 'making steps in right direction' after past struggles

Just minutes after escaping relegation in their final home match against Bournemouth the Toffees boss said there was "loads to change" after a second successive battle against the drop.

While it has been difficult to significantly alter the squad due to financial constraints - and Dyche is currently running at a deficit having lost five first-teamers and recruited three with a deal imminent for Sporting striker Youssef Chermiti - having a pre-season with the players after only taking over in January has made a difference.

"It looks like a gradual change because obviously you can't change the whole thinking of a club from last season to this season with five-and-a-half weeks pre-season and a close season of similar length.

"But I think we are beginning to make steps in the right direction, rebalancing the squad on the pitch looking for that mixture with younger players as well as older, experienced players to find a healthy balance.

"Off the pitch there are some things I'm not in control of at the top of the club," added Dyche, with the expected investment from MSP Capital yet to materialise and Everton operating with an interim board after the departures of chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale, chief finance officer Grant Ingles and non-executive director Graeme Sharp.

"But certainly there is a shift in mentality towards what the club is going to need going forward so we want to build on that and continue it."

What Dyche wants most of all, however, is for Everton not to be in the situation they have been in the last two seasons.

Last-gasp escapes are a symptom of a general decline in the club's strategy. recruitment and investment which have impacted results on the field considerably with a lop-sided and ineffective squad.

Dyche, who took over in January with the club deep in trouble, expects to change that.

Asked what his expectations were for the coming campaign, which kicks off at home to Fulham, he said: "Overall, doing better than last season.

"In my time here we have done enough good work to make sure we stayed in the division, that was the biggest challenge, and then from there can we take some of the stuff we learned from that and improve? That's the first step.

"I have confidence. Having a pre-season with the players and rubbing off more with what we expect from them and some of the things we think is important.

"So far during pre-season it has been pretty solid with some good performances and a good energy and belief in what we are doing.

"We want that to go into the first game, and beyond. The truth of it will be when the whistle blows."

Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, injured for much of last season, is doubtful to even make the bench at home to Fulham as his lack of minutes in pre-season games is counting against him.

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