04 February 2023 , 11:56
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Sean Dyche is already making his presence felt to Everton's first team stars as he bids to turn the club's relegation form on its head.
The former Burnley boss takes over from Lampard with The Toffees in 19th, with at least eight clubs involved in a huge relegation battle. Huge off-field issues remain but Dyche will only be able change what he can control, and that's the performances of his players on the pitch.
Making an impact in his first training session, some Everton stars were pictured bending over, out of breath, as Dyche worked his players into the ground. In one snap, the new Everton boss could even be seen smiling at one of the players recovering from the physical strain he had been put under.
Ruthless: Sean Dyche puts the Everton stars through their paces (Everton FC via Getty Images)Dyche even made his players perform the bleep test, a cruel fitness exercise that tests the physical and cardio boundaries of elite stars. The new Everton boss, however, dispelled any rumours of lack of fitness in the squad.
"Certainly no lack of fitness," he said on BT Sport ahead of facing Arsenal. "It's often misconstrued these things. It's a measure. We've got different measures - I've been doing it a long time. We know what players' bodies can take with the way we want it done. There's a lot of misconstrued ideas but that's all it is. I explained that to the players.
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"It's not some kind of beasting. It's a measure and I've got years of stats and facts on what the body needs to deliver. We've got a couple of other measures we'll be doing next week, they'll be pleased to know. But it's not about proving a point to them. I explained that to the players."
Having said that, Dyche has introduced a ban for two items from training as well as the introduction of another. Snoods and hats will no longer be allowed while shin pads must be worn.
Speaking in his press conference on Friday, Dyche explained his decision, saying: "This has been going round for years and it drives me mad. Unless I’ve been out of the game for too long, you’re not allowed to wear hats when you play on a Saturday, you’re not allowed to wear snoods when you play on a Saturday and you have to, by the rules, wear shin pads. It is not rocket science.
"Everyone makes the mythical story that it’s hard lines from Sean Dyche. It is just common sense. You train how you play, how can you train how you play if you have 14 snoods on, 15 hats and leggings, no shin pads, white socks, it’s not relevant. I told the players, ‘these myths I’m going to bust them for you right now’.
"I explained to them. There is not a single player here where everything is not explained to them. I’d be surprised if any of them are in the dark on anything. I explain everything to them and the reason behind it."