Sean Dyche said 'It’s driving me mad after 'the 2-1 defeat to Luton

Sean Dyche was talking at speed but it was the look on his face that told you everything, a look common to every parent. You know it, the combination of disbelief, disappointment and bafflement that screams, ‘What have you done that for!’ when presented with circumstances that were wholly avoidable.

Here, then, was Dyche having to explain away another fine Everton mess. ‘We are trying to create a mentality where we are on it all the time,’ he harrumphed as he picked through the debris of the 2-1 defeat to Luton.

‘We had two steps forward (beating Brentford and Aston Villa) and now this is one back — again. It’s driving me mad.’

With due respect to his frustrations, how does he think Everton supporters are feeling? Dyche is 10 months into his tenure and is clearly wearied by his side’s inconsistency, but whatever irks him is nothing compared to what those in the stands — who included prospective owners Josh Wander and Steve Pasko from 777 — are experiencing.

There was booing at the final whistle but much of it was aimed at fastidious referee Anthony Taylor. It is as if the locals have been numbed by the impoverished results and performances, a fourth straight loss meaning this is Everton’s worst home start since 1958.

Dyche argued Everton applied plenty of pressure to Luton’s goal and, rightly, pointed to a string of squandered chances in the opening 15 minutes. But he would do well to remember that he is talking to an audience who know football inside out and won’t be taken in by fluff.

When Everton chased the game, in vain, late on it was dispiriting to see Dyche pointing to the corners of the pitch and demanding the ball be launched forward swiftly. It was basic, not difficult for Luton to deal with, and one little episode