Everton manager Sean Dyche reckons his charges have put in some good performances this season, but also admits it’s the results that ultimately count.
The Toffees have yet to register a win so far this season, having lost four of their five matches – including a narrow 1-0 defeat to last year’s runners-up Arsenal last time out.
Dyche thinks his team’s performances have warranted more than just the solitary point from their opening games but knows the importance of picking up results.
He told a press conference: “The other games I think have been good performances, I think the margins have been tight.
“The two obvious ones (bad performances), Villa we were miles off, second half particularly with Arsenal we lost our way.
“There is a lot of good in it but the league table doesn’t lie. I can’t change my tune when you’re going well and when you’re not.
“The underlying story is better than the league table says but at the end of the day we are the only ones that can change that. I am under no illusion we have to change that. Sometimes you want to play well, if you don’t and you win then at this stage you take it.”
Dyche has welcomed the return of some players – including Dominic Calvert-Lewin – who made a return in their defeat to Arsenal.
Dwight McNeil missed the opening three games of the season with an ankle injury and Jack Harrison is coming back to fitness after suffering a hip injury, and may be available to make his debut in the coming weeks.
Dyche insists the squad is regaining its depth and is happy to have more players up for selection going forward.
He added: “It certainly helps from the depth of the squad and competitive element of the squad.
“Of course it helps to have that depth, both in the starting 11 and the bench, it gives you a lot stronger hand to play when needed.
“That would be the first time since I’ve been here, not necessarily a deeper squad but I think it is more balanced, there’s a challenge in the position and areas in the pitch.
“We were hoping to get further challenge and bring in other players but that couldn’t be done, but I still think there’s a balance to the squad when they are fit, of course. Now it’s getting the final pieces of the fitness right.
Everton have only scored two goals in their opening five matches, both coming in the 2-2 draw with Sheffield United and Dyche has urged his side to do a lot more in attack.
He said: “We haven’t scored anywhere near as much as I thought we would with the performances we’ve put in.
“We defended well (against Arsenal) but the other side of the game we didn’t get to grips with at all. We never played our part with the game, if you like, with possession.
“Of course some teams you have to defend more against by the nature of their qualities. But then when we had the ball, we just lost our frameworks. You have to be brave with the ball.”