Everton

Michael Keane: 'Sam Allardyce brilliant in Everton training'

By Jonny Whitfield, Reporter | 29 December 2017

Keane: 'Allardyce brilliant in training'

Everton defender Michael Keane says that manager Sam Allardyce's overhaul of training methods has been the biggest positive change since the boss took charge.

Everton defender Michael Keane has said that manager Sam Allardyce's overhaul of training methods has been the biggest positive change since the former Crystal Palace boss took charge.

The Toffees, who were languishing towards the bottom end of the Premier League table following Ronald Koeman's sacking and caretaker boss David Unsworth's short reign, are now ninth.

Allardyce has guided Everton to an unbeaten run in the top flight since taking charge at Goodison Park, and Keane has praised the manager's training tactics.

"The manager has been brilliant in training, simplifying a lot of things which were going wrong previously and I think it's showing," he told The Independent.

"A lot of work has been put in on the training ground and then getting the results breeds confidence. We're doing a lot of good stuff at the minute but we can't rest on our laurels. We need to keep working hard and I'm sure more points will come.

"I've had a few good games earlier this season but then it tailed off and it's been a tough few months. I've kept working hard, kept the belief in myself and hopefully [I can] kick on."

Everton, who have mustered two 0-0 draws in their previous games against West Bromwich Albion and Chelsea respectively, face Bournemouth on the south coast on Saturday.