Sean Dyche was asked about the difference between preparing for Manchester City, Everton’s opponents on Sunday, and Brighton, who they’d clattered 5-1 in midweek.
He observed that City play in various ways whereas Brighton have a particular method – and how well it’s serving them. Roberto De Zerbi has done an incredible job since replacing Graham Potter, all the more so as he’s refined their style mid-season.
Next year, though, he’ll be facing opponents who know what to expect having seen various tactics deployed against it – and in all likelihood, will have European competition to contend with having lost a big player or two to richer rivals.
So there’s a lot of work for the club to do: identifying replacements, signing reinforcements, and developing different ways of playing.