Everton have forged many new heroes across this season, against all the odds.
Given their start to the season, to think that anyone might end up revered around Goodison Park seemed impossible, as another campaign of relegation worries loomed.
But, a win away at Brentford kickstarted things, and the run they would then enjoy sent them flying up the Premier League.
Even with the ten-point deduction they could not be kept down, and only now that they are suffering a tougher run have they slipped back into the bottom three.
That being said, there is a quiet confidence that they might have still achieve some success with their appeal, which would be a welcome boost to their survival hopes.
The players though will want to wrap up safety regardless, with Dwight McNeil one man who will surely have a big hand in that.
Which Everton teammate has Dwight McNeil been praising?
Having finished last season as the club’s top scorer as they beat the drop on the final day of the campaign, he has since revealed the intense emotional turmoil he has been suffering through given his girlfriend’s mystery illness.
To continue turning up and starring for this squad is an admirable feat, and yet the £20m maestro remains so positive.
Such happiness and determination have spread throughout a squad that had been sorely lacking in these key qualities.
He has even sought to laud one star, Vitaliy Mykolenko, for his work in improving. He told Everton’s official website: ‘He’s class, Meeks. We sit next to each other in the changing room – at Finch Farm and on game days, both at home and away.
‘He’s great. I really like him a lot and we get on well. We have good conversations. His English is really good now, he talks more and gets involved which is nice. He’s a top man and you can see his quality as a player. He’s playing so well this season.
‘Defensively he’s been amazing, with some of his blocks, tackles and one-v- one defending and then he’s been effective going forward as well. He’s impacting games at both ends. I think we’re starting to build a good little partnership and an understanding with each other.’
How good has Vitaliy Mykolenko been this season?
Well, the statistics certainly back up this improvement noted by McNeil.
Admittedly, the Ukraine international did not have the easiest of starts to life on Merseyside, coming in during the poisonous era of Rafa Benitez and thrust into relentless relegation horror.
So, last season was far from his best.
Despite that, he still managed to muster up an impressive 1.4 interceptions, 1.7 tackles and 2.6 clearances per game, failing to score or assist, via Sofascore.
However, the 24-year-old has improved in every single one of these metrics, managing 1.7 interceptions, 3.2 tackles, 3.2 clearances and has found the net twice.
The progress is there for all to see, and the hope is that he can keep improving alongside McNeil down the left.
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