After Everton’s 3-2 victory at Crystal Palace, manager Sean Dyche discussed his opinions on James Garner’s growth and gave his feedback on the performances of Vitalii Mykolenko and match-winning Idrissa Gueye.
James Garner is a “nark,” which Everton boss Sean Dyche enjoys, but he also wants the midfielder to be able to display his silkiness.
Despite being one of four Everton players sent off in the team’s 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace, Garner put on a strong showing, generating several crucial challenges and blocks. His manager values the Birkenhead native’s ability to pick passes in addition to his willingness to do the grunt work.
“Jimmy Garner was terrific; he’s learning and improving. Jarrad has been a bit quieter but has been excellent. Nathan Patterson is unlucky; despite being sick this week, he’s been playing well. Ashley Young has been a young player who is also improving and learning,” Dyche said. For several of these guys, there are encouraging indicators.
Regarding Garner’s temperament, the former Manchester United player, the Blues manager responded, “He’s just a good kid.” I enjoy that he occasionally acts like a bit of a nark because it gives him a great little edge.
“As a football player, I believe you need that. He works really hard in training, and I believe his growth is the result of the demands he places upon himself.
“He had been hurt and other things when I came here, so it wasn’t helpful, but week in and week out, you can see the progress in him.
These days, players have everything there in front of them. He’s making indications that he wants to hold on to it, so all we can do is lead them in the direction they choose.
It’s rather satisfying to watch him accomplish that. He’s finding a good balance between the hard yards and the fundamentals of being a midfield player, which I want him to do, and playing freedom.
Vitalii Mykolenko, who had not scored in eighteen months, was another player who made an impression. This was his second goal in as many games. Although Dyche was happy to see that, he understands that the left-back’s major responsibility still lies in keeping the opponent out.
“Defend first, that’s your job, that’s why you’re called a defender,” he declared. I’ve always appreciated defenders who can defend, and he can defend, even though the game has slightly changed.
“I believe that he is now beginning to demonstrate his potential moving forward as well. He’s powerful, has speed, and can play.
“His true fitness if you like, his Premier League fitness, is improving all the time as is his mentality towards it. He deserves the credit he gets and I think he’s enjoying it.”
Someone who Dyche didn’t have to tell what to do was match-winner Idrissa Gueye with the Everton manager acknowledging that the 34-year-old was smart enough to work out his own role after replacing Amadou Onana at the interval. He said:”He’s a talented football player; I don’t need to teach him too many things because he understands how the game is played. We made a small structural change when they had more control of the game in the second half, but I have to admit that Palace played really well in the second half, which makes me even happier with the outcome.
“The mindset that we need to win the game after a soft second goal caused by a mix-up. Idrissa is a well-rounded player; you only need to give him the part he will be playing.
