Ten Hag: We have to be better

The boss, who will be absent from the touchline at Goodison Park, is looking forward to the return of Premier League action and has called on his squad to match the Toffees’ motivation and be “proactive” in our quest for victory on Merseyside.

Read and watch what Erik has had to say to club media ahead of the clash…

Erik, we are back after the international break. Are you looking forward to getting back into action?
''Yes, we are looking forward [to it]. We are energised, every player has had their days off, even the international players. Now we are going into a massive month and we are looking forward to making the next steps. We felt a little bit after the last block [of games] that we got an interruption because of the internationals and we felt we were on a very good row of games. So we [are] happy with that and now we have to get back to that and that, of course, demands a lot of work. But especially, we need top mentality to get into those games.''

How is the squad looking in training? Anything to report injury wise?
''Yes, Luke Shaw, he is back in the squad. Only Mason Mount picked up an issue, so we have to assess if he is available for the game or not.''

You mentioned him just there, one of the players that the fans have been excited to see back in action is Luke Shaw after being out since August. Does it please you to see a player of his calibre back in training?
''Of course, he will strengthen the squad, strengthen the team, he has great abilities. When we add that to our game we will play better and we then have a better chance to win games.''

We are against Everton this weekend and they have been struggling recently with their points deduction, but will that give them more fight and energy to bring into the game?
''Absolutely. They will bring that but it is not about them, but I do respect that they will be highly motivated, but we have to match them. The minimum is we have to match them, to beat them on those standards. Only then will we have a very good chance to win this game.''

You mentioned earlier that we were in such good form and then the international break happened. We have a terrific away record so far this season, is that the exact confidence you want your players to focus on going into this game?
''Absolutely, but everyday you have to prove yourself and whatever happens in the past is the past. There are no guarantees for the future, so you have to make your own future and [also] make your own luck.''

You won't be in your usual touchline position, however, you will have been working hard in the week and also have an incredible backroom staff around you, don’t you?
“I’m quite confident. I will have an even better overview [from the stands], but we have a very good backroom staff. They are very capable and experienced, so they know what to do. That will not affect our game.”

Can you tell us who will be on the touchline for you?
''Mitchell van der Gaag.''

How important is it to kickstart back with a win after the break?
''It is always important. But we will see on Sunday, not see, but be proactive. We don't want to be reactive. We want to be on the front foot, we want to take initiative in the game and we are really looking forward because we know how far we have come. We had some negativities, but we built a foundation from winning four out of the last five games. From that foundation, we have to build from, be better and improve. We will not be happy or satisfied by what has happened in the last games, we have to be better and good is not good enough. We have to be better.''