DYCHE: DOM MUST HANDLE PRESSURE
SEAN DYCHE has told Dominic Calvert-Lewin that handling pressure is part of being a top striker.
Calvert-Lewin, 26, is enduring a goal drought for Everton and the former England hitman has not netted in 19 games.
He is expected to score the goals to help haul the Toffees to safety and Dyche says he can’t hide from that.
“Whether it’s fair or not, that’s being a striker, that’s the reality of the role,” said the Everton boss.
“All strikers should, I’m not saying they all do, but they should want the adulation of being a striker and scoring goals.
“That’s part of that fuel that you have as a striker and I’d suggest it’s that feeling, that amazing feeling, when you do score, especially at Goodison, the crowd generally erupt. They know that.” Dyche sees no point in trying to protect Calvert-Lewin (above) from outside pressures and says the striker knows he is in the spotlight because of his barren run.
“He knows where he’s at,” he said. “There’s enough noise in football now. Do you think he’s thinking there’s no noise about him not scoring? I’m pretty sure he knows that.
“I don’t think it’s about taking any pressure off anyone. Pressure is there in all of our professional lives and certainly in football.
“So that’s what you adapt to as a player. And you need some sort of pressure, you need something to help stimulate you other than your own stimulation.
“That’s part and parcel of it, and the top players take pressure all the time.”
Everton have edged out of the bottom three on goal difference ahead of today’s trip to Brighton and Dyche (below) is pleased they have the joint-fourth best defence in the Premier League.
“I’m pleased with that side of things and that’s the whole team,” he added. “A lot is made sometimes about individuals, about playing in the back unit. “We’ve asked the players to defend from the front and they’re getting better at that.
“The tactical shape and understanding of that side of things has improved and then finding that balance with scoring goals.
“We know that’s the biggest part of the challenge so far, transitioning the chances we’re making into actual goals.
“That’s still a work in progress, it always is, but I do like the defensive framework of the whole team and how we’ve been operating.”