MY ACCOUNT
Everton manager Sean Dyche insists he puts no significance on being outside the bottom three in the relegation battle until the final day of the season.
Rivals’ results meant even after a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City last weekend the team did not drop into the relegation zone.
A Saturday 3pm kick-off at Wolves means Dyche’s side have the chance to crank up the pressure on Leeds and Leicester, in 18th and 19th place, who play on Sunday and Monday respectively.
Only a third away victory of the season would take the Toffees five points clear and ensure they kept their destiny in their own hands.
It would also leave the Foxes needing to win their final two games while Leeds would require at least four points to survive.
But Dyche is not interested in doing the maths even at this late stage.
“I don’t stare at the league. I stare at the performances, I stare at the group, I stare at the prep, I stare at the strategy, I stare at all these things, the tactics, these are the things I’m obsessing with,” he said.
“It’s not about the league table at this stage. I’ve said it for weeks, the one at the end of the season is the most important.
“Of course we all debate it and look at it during a season, of course we do, but the one at the end of the season, that’s the most important, the one we’re looking to be above the line on.
“I think we’ve just stayed very clear-minded, trying to take away the layers of noise around our group to make sure we’re focused on the game.
“That’s all we look to do, others can do however they wish.”
The Everton manager also tried to play down the significance of playing ahead of their rivals on the penultimate weekend of the season.
“You can look at it either way, I’ve been on either side of it,” he said.
“Last club, this club, whether you feel the game is on the right day or wrong day, that’s just the way it goes. The schedule is what it is, you have to deal with it.
“You have to play regardless of what the challenge is. I’ve always looked at it that way so therefore I can’t change the goalposts from someone else’s point of view.
“From my point of view, whenever the game is, it’s about taking it on.”
Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has returned to training after a groin problem forced him off against City and is in contention for Saturday’s squad.
