A NIGHT FOR DWIGHT

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A NIGHT FOR DWIGHT

Dyche praises McNeil ahead of 100th Premier League appearance

2021-09-13T17:03:53.353Z

A NIGHT FOR DWIGHT

Dyche praises McNeil ahead of 100th Premier League appearance

2021-09-13T17:03:53.353Z

Manager Sean Dyche spoke to the media this afternoon ahead of Saturday's clash with Arsenal at Turf Moor, after signing a new deal at Turf Moor

Manager Sean Dyche is challenging Premier League centurion Dwight McNeil to use the milestone figure as a platform to propel his game to even greater heights.

McNeil, 21, looks poised to make his 100th top-flight appearance on Monday night as the Clarets travel to Everton under the Goodison Park lights.

Dyche’s men produced one of their finest away performances of the campaign in last season’s fixture as a memorable McNeil screamer, coupled with a goal from Chris Wood, hauled them to an impressive 2-1 victory.

Boss Dyche heaped praise on McNeil’s rapid rise but believes there’s even more to come from his precocious flying winger.

He said: “He has been fantastic for us. I’ve said it for many games, many months, and many seasons. He started young and has progressed.

“He continues to be a regular in the side, and earns that right as well. I still think there is more in there, and I spoke to him about that this week.

“I think he is a top young player and to have amassed that many games, so quickly, is very pleasing for him. That is a great starting point for him, and for us as well.

“He is just raising his consistency. For wide players it can be tricky, because you have spells without the ball and have to work to get it, but he does that very well.

“It is about working on the details of his game now he has a good basic framework to work from, and now it is about the details.

“You can throw young kids on a football pitch, but you have to try and monitor when they are ready. With Dwight, I think we decided at the right time.

“It is about being ‘ready enough’. Ready enough to handle what it means to play in the Premier League. Some get it quicker than others.”

The trip to Merseyside may offer Clarets fans a first glimpse of highly-rated summer signing Maxwel Cornet, as the Ivory Coast international could feature against Rafael Benitez’s Toffees.

But Wales ace Connor Roberts, who signed from Swansea City on deadline day, misses out with a groin injury.

Fellow summer recruit Nathan Collins is also a doubt after picking up an injury for the Republic of Ireland while on international duty.

The Clarets will be looking for a first league win of the new campaign after defeats against Brighton and Liverpool were followed by a hard-fought draw against Leeds United at Turf Moor.

They go to an Everton side who are unbeaten in all competitions so far this season, including two Premier League triumphs, under new boss Benitez.

But Dyche insists he’s prepared for the challenge provided by his experienced opposite number on the touchline.

He said: “I think Rafa, as always, likes his organisation and they look an organised side. The players have quality, I don’t think that is in doubt. So I’m sure he is looking to build on that.

“They have flexibility within their formation because of the players they have got.

“But we have done well over the last few seasons at Goodison. It’s a place I enjoy going to, but is a new game and a new manager.

“We just have to transfer our good performances in to winning games.”

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