talkSPORT pundit Carlton Cole has lauded Everton manager Sean Dyche after the Toffees’ 1-1 draw with Luton Town on Friday evening.
The Blues are now four games unbeaten and have won four of their last five matches, including a memorable Merseyside Derby victory over Liverpool at Goodison Park.
Everton’s three-game winning run ended against the Hatters Friday evening, but, on the whole, Dyche will be relatively pleased with the point.
Luton have demonstrated their ability to compete this season, especially on their home patch, so leaving Bedfordshire with something is by no means a negative.
Carlton Cole makes remarkable Sean Dyche claim
talkSPORT is known for employing pundits who are partial to spouting interesting opinions; after all, it’s the station’s unique selling point.
On Saturday morning, Cole picked apart the Toffees’ draw against Rob Edwards’ side and had this to say on Everton boss Dyche.
He said: “He’s up there [manager of the season]. If ten points didn’t get deducted, they’d be up in 11th place right now. Coming off the back of last season when they were fighting for their lives.
“That would’ve been a good consolidation season to say we are steady now. So he’s got to be up there with the rest of them with what he’s achieved with that squad. Not being able to have the budget and bring in players he wanted to.
“He’s had to work with what he’s got. He’s had to galvanise the players and make them believe that we can do this and stay up. Forget the minus 10 points. We just have to concentrate on ourselves.”
The former West Ham United striker went on to suggest Dyche is one of the best managers in the world at keeping teams up.
He added: “Certain managers are good for certain achievements. We know that Sean Dyche is an expert at staying in the league – we know that with Burnley – and now he’s proven it again.
“Even with everything thrown at him, he’s still stayed in the league. He’s got to be up there with the best of this type of manager in the world. He has to be.”
Let’s not get carried away here
It was only two weeks ago Evertonians were calling for Dyche’s head after the 6-0 thrashing against Chelsea.
A little bit of realism is required. The former Burnley boss has done a good job in difficult circumstances. But calling for a manager who saw his team fail to win in 13 matches to be manager of the season is ridiculous.
Dyche should be judged midway through next season, hopefully after the club has endured full pre-season where off-the-field issues don’t take centre stage, a scenario that doesn’t look likely at the moment.