Sean Dyche has opened up on his connection and affection for the Everton squad, admitting he demands a lot but also “cares” deeply about the group. 

After a remarkable week which saw Everton secure three huge wins in the space of six days at Goodison Park against Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and then Brentford to help guarantee a 71st successive top-flight campaign, the Blues return to action this Friday night as they travel to take on Luton Town (kick-ff 8pm BST).

Ahead of that game, Dyche spoke to the media in Wednesday afternoon’s press conference held at Finch Farm where he reflected on the Club securing their Premier League safety with three matches to go, and also explained the esteem he has for his players, especially after such a challenging campaign. 

“The bigger picture in football is that it is a big challenge,” said Dyche. “My own son is in football, and I tell the players I would speak to you like I would my own son. If it is good enough for my own son then I think it is good enough for you. 

“I do care, I do care about their careers. The reason why I was fortunate to get a job at Watford under Aidy Boothroyd is because he always thought I did care – and I do care. I care about their development, I care about them as people and their careers. I’ve always maintained that. 

“Of course, you have to still mould that into a group that can win and hope it is fair that they (players) reference it because deep down I ask a lot of them and put a big demand on them, myself and the staff. But I think beneath that, the hard yards that come across, even with my voice and what I have to say to them sometimes, I think they do know I care about them. 

“Football is an amazing career, and nowadays at this level, they do get rewarded, that is quite obvious, but it’s still difficult. There is a lot of pressure, a lot of stress, anxiety and a lot of work that needs doing. But in there is a love and connection from a manager, staff and players."

While the Blues will travel south unburdened by the weight of a relegation battle, it’s a different story for the home side who remain in the drop zone and one point from safety. 

Dyche is all too aware of the determination Luton will have to get what could be three vital points in their battle for survival but insisted Everton would travel with the right mindset to match the hosts and secure a positive result. 

“[Luton] are still fighting; they’re still working,” he explained. “We have to go there with the right attitude because the Premier League is the Premier League. You have to go there with the right attitude, and we intend to do so. We want to take it on. We want to win, and we want to finish the season correctly. 

“We have to go down there to perform. We gave ourselves a platform to finish the season strongly, and we want to do that. Certainly, I’ve already referenced that. I referenced that after the win against Brentford – about taking the next one on.

“Over the tough run we had without wins, I say that, over a season, it balances out as long as you keep doing the right things. Well, we did keep doing the right things. Three wins from three, and four wins out of five, and then we take on the next one. 

“We want that mentality to stay and to go to take on the next one, and go and look to win.”