Aftermath of Sean Dyche and Nathan Patterson ‘misunderstanding’ shows true story of Everton training camp
An incident that unfolded after a 'misunderstanding' between Sean Dyche and some of his Everton squad is said to have been amicably resolved and not to have undermined a week that is being viewed internally as a success
An incident involving Sean Dyche and Nathan Patterson during Everton’s training camp is understood to have been no more than a misunderstanding that was swiftly resolved.
Reports emerged last night of an issue arising during a team meal at the Portuguese resort the first-team squad had been staying at.
They centred on claims Dyche caught Patterson with a playful “slap” that led to a reaction from some team-mates and required the intervention of James Tarkowski to cool things down.
Sources have said the incident was a simple misunderstanding that was quickly dealt with and did not diminish what is being viewed as a positive week for the squad and management. Pictures from the camp appeared to back up that view, with images captured the following day showing players, including Patterson, smiling and laughing during one of their final sessions on Portugal’s south coast.
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Dyche took his team to the Quinta do Lago resort in a bid to continue his work with a squad that has gone 11 league games without a win. Defeat at Manchester United last weekend took the Blues into a three-week run without a game due to the postponement of the Merseyside derby that was scheduled for this weekend until it clashed with Liverpool’s FA Cup commitments. A two-week international break follows the league and cup games over the coming days.
Dyche spoke of his intention to work his players hard during the break, though it is also likely to have served as a psychological break for a small group that has been dealt challenges on and off the pitch during a turbulent campaign to date. That is set to continue, with developments on the attempted takeover of Everton and the second Premier League case against the club over financial rules expected in the coming weeks.
The team meal incident, which happened on Wednesday night and was first reported by MailOnline, is not thought to have undermined what is being viewed internally as a productive week in Portugal that was crowned by the first senior England call-up for Jarrad Branthwaite.
There appears to be an acceptance from all parties that it was a misunderstanding and the squad returned to the pitches for training the following day. Photos dated Thursday show the players breaking from training drills to pose for pictures, which include several happy group shots - one of which features a smiling Patterson surrounded by team-mates including Beto, Michael Keane, Joao Virginia and James Garner among others.
The squad returned to the UK on Friday, with several players heading off for international duty. They include Patterson, who is once again in the Scotland squad.