Michael Ball believes Sean Dyche is getting more out of Dwight McNeil than Frank Lampard ever did as he now understands his role. The forward is also playing with more confidence.
Everton backed Lampard to sign McNeil last summer but rarely saw the 23-year-old cut an instrumental presence at Goodison Park. But Dyche has afforded the winger a near-perfect run in his plans since taking over their efforts to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Lampard only started McNeil during 10 of his 18 top-flight appearances over a potential 20 games following his summer transfer. But the £20m, plus add-ons, signing only scored two and assisted one goal through those matches. He also provided both goals during October.
Sean Dyche has more faith in Dwight McNeil at Everton than Frank Lampard did
McNeil now has one goal through his seven games under Dyche at Everton. The winger hit home to seal the Toffees a 1-0 win over Brentford on Saturday. He also penned an assist as the Merseysiders beat Arsenal 1-0 in the Kettering-born coach’s debut fixture at the helm.
Dyche immediately put his faith in McNeil having worked with the forward at Burnley. The former Manchester United prospect made his first-team debut for the Clarets in 2018 and made 147 appearances. Yet he only offered seven goals and 17 assists in all competitions.
McNeil struggling to offer Everton a consistent output saw Lampard lose his faith in the ex-England U21 gem. The forward only featured in two of the 44-year-old’s final four Premier League games in charge for 58 and 45 minutes. Yet he has been a constant of Dyche’s side.
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Dyche has started McNeil in all seven of his top-flight matches so far for 618 minutes. Only for the final 12 minutes of the Toffees’ 2-0 defeat at Liverpool has the winger left the field before the final whistle. McNeil had only played the full 90 minutes twice under Lampard.
Michael Ball explains why Dwight McNeil is now having a greater influence
Ball now believes that McNeil’s goal against Brentford was a sign of his greater confidence and understanding of his role under Dyche than when Lampard stood at the Everton helm.
“Since Sean Dyche came to the football club, I think Dwight McNeil understands his role and knows what he needs to do,” Ball wrote in a column for the Liverpool Echo. “He’s been more productive – like I’ve been asking him to – trying to get crosses in whenever possible.
“Whether those crosses are on the money or not, it doesn’t matter as you might get a corner from it or an opportunity if a defender makes a mistake. He also took his goal really well. It was a fantastic strike.
“He seems to have that bit more confidence on the ball and he knows what he’s doing when he receives it. He has an objective and he’s trying to achieve it.”
In other news, Michael Owen praises Patrick Bamford after Leeds United’s draw against Brighton
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