Dyche braced for Everton battle after failing to make new signings

New Everton manager Sean Dyche says he feels comfortable going into a Premier League relegation battle with no signings after the club failed to score a single goal in the January transfer window.

The Toffees were the only English top flight club not to strengthen last month despite desperate need to revive a squad that sits second in the table with just three wins all season.

Numerous attempts were made to sign players on Tuesday’s deadline, the day after Dyche was officially announced as manager, but Everton were beaten by rivals or failed to get deals across the line.

Owner Farhad Moshiri had promised the club would sign a striker but Dyche said they didn’t fail for trying.

“Phone calls were made, the offers were made, it didn’t get to them for whatever reason,” the former Burnley boss said at his first press conference on Thursday.

“We can discuss why (but) I won’t sign any players. They have to be good enough to influence what we do.

“There are good players here. They may not have shown it, but we have to remember the good players here. We have to polish them up a bit.”

Everton fans have been extremely critical of the way the club is run in recent weeks and the board have been advised not to attend the recent home game against Southampton amid threats to their safety.

Dyche, who faces a disheartening first game against Premier League leaders Arsenal on Saturday, said he went into the situation with his eyes wide open but urged everyone to pull together to pull the club out of relegation troubles.

“The message is clear – unity,” he said. “It goes without saying. Even the most disgruntled Evertonians give us a chance to stay with the team. They (fans) are important, players react to fans and when the pressure is suddenly off, they feel the support and support.

“I turn to you – we give you honesty and work ethic. All we ask is to give us a window to breathe, to get us going. Play your part in it.”

The story goes on

Dyche wasn’t Moshiri’s first choice to replace the sacked Frank Lampard – he wanted ex-Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa but talks collapsed – and the 51-year-old admitted he was divided among fans.

“If he (the club) weren’t in the form he is in, I might not get a chance,” he said. “I don’t mind. I am a steward. I won’t be here forever, but I’ll take care of it.

“I have to earn my stripes and I’m willing to put in the hard meters to earn their respect.”

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