Sean Dyche must rediscover Everton ingredient they are badly missing

The defeat at Southampton was a tough one. Everton manager Sean Dyche may be right when he says there are no easy games in the Premier League, certainly none that can be taken for granted.

But driving back from the south coast in the early hours of Sunday morning it was hard not to spend that journey rueing those late missed chances before Adam Armstrong’s sucker punch.

In the Saints, Everton came up against a team that had struggled with the transition into the Premier League, was winless in nine league matches, had a manager under huge pressure and a fanbase anxious at having secured just one point.

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I was confident on the road trip south - as plenty who listen to our Royal Blue podcast have since reminded me. The frustration at the result has bitten so hard because I don’t think Southampton did anything in that game that should have come as a surprise to the Blues.

By sticking to their desire to play out from the back they created problems for themselves and it was disappointing an Everton side that has, at times, been far more ruthless unde Dyche, was unable to take advantage or maintain the pressure until they did.

Dyche disagreed that it was a missed opportunity when I asked him at the end. I still think it was - particularly given the games that are approaching. This weekend's trip to West Ham United represents another chance to take points from a fragile side. However, the Hammers have plenty of talent in their squad and could prove dangerous.

It is a match that conjures up memories of some of the tougher moments of recent seasons. It was down at the London Stadium where Frank Lampard’s tenure reached its disappointing end - a process that was hastened by the defeat on Boxing Day 2022 to a Wolverhampton Wanderers team that had current West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui in the dugout.

Yet there is inspiration that can be taken from this fixture too, or at least the context in which Everton won it last season. Dyche often emphasises his belief that the past does not dictate the future but his side grabbed an important win in this game 12 months ago, part of a run of improved form that came as the leaves turned brown.

That started with away victories at Brentford and then, in the Carabao Cup, Aston Villa.

Including Brentford, the Blues won six and drew once across nine games. The defeats were the disappointment at home to Luton Town and the controversial Anfield derby loss. Of the seven unbeaten in that streak there was a common theme: Everton started well.

In each of the games against Brentford, Villa, Bournemouth, Burnley, Brighton and Crystal Palace, Everton both home and away scored in the first 15 minutes. Of the unbeaten matches in that stretch it was only against West Ham that they scored later on.

The best moments of the survival run that Dyche oversaw when he replaced Lampard echoed this form. Big wins against Brentford and Brighton were built on goals in the first five minutes.

All of this is an attempt for me to come full circle back to Southampton last week. When Dyche’s team have been at their best they have been brutal in the first 15 minutes, launching into a game and blitzing opposition. Those were wins built on intent rather than quality and this season the team appears to have struggled to replicate that approach.

Had it been repeated at Southampton the outcome may have been different. An early goal at St Mary’s would have been a valuable prize - just like an early one in East London could be pivotal on Saturday.

There are plenty of big questions about setup and style at the moment, from whether to play Jarrad Branthwaite to where to play Dwight McNeil. They are all relevant and are topics I have covered in these pages across recent weeks. But heading into this mini-spell against West Ham, Brentford, Manchester United and Wolves sides that all have a fragility about them, I really hope Dyche is looking to replicate the intent and ferocity that has underpinned his good moments as Everton boss.

Doing so will be crucial if the club is to navigate the final weeks and months of uncertainty without unwanted drama. It has to start with an ambition that was frustratingly absent seven days ago - and probably a recognition that the failure to win in Southampton was about more than bad luck and fine margins.