Everton James Garner brought attention to a staple of Sean Dyche's pre-season preparation, 'Gaffer's Day'.
The England Under 21 international claimed that some of his team-mates were still feeling the effects of the grueling training sessions during the Toffees' 2-1 pre-season win over Salford City last week.
Dyche's famed session has been a part of his pre-season regiment since his days as Watford manager and this season players were subjected to a double dosage ahead of the new campaign.
'Gaffer's Day' is a brutal two hour running session that does not involve any work with footballs and is designed to push participants to their limit both physically and mentally.
'The body can do a lot more than the mind will let them. The mind will breakdown first.' Dyche's assistant Steve Stone explained in 2023.
'Gaffer's Day' has been a part of Dyche's pre-season preparation regime since his days managing Watford
'It's something where you try to push through that barrier. Once they are through the halfway stage, once they get to an hour, hour and ten, they can see the end, you can see the lads grow into the session.'
Players that have worked with Dyche in the past have insisted that the hype around the session is anything but overblown. Former Everton hero Alex Iwobi defended its rigour, while Jack Cork, who played under the tough boss at Burnley, claimed it was unlike anything he had seen at another club.
The veteran of some eight different clubs said in 2018: 'I’ve never done a session like this at any other club.
'It’s different but it was really good last year, it helped me settle into the team. It’s good when you’re new and you’re getting in with the lads, because you can show you’re part of a team and it does help you get in together.'
Dyche will hope that the double helping of 'Gaffer's Day' will enable his side to build on their impressive showings last term.
The Toffees ended the campaign in 15th place on 40 points despite two separate points deductions which took eight from their tally.
The upcoming season holds special significance for the side as it is set to be the last at Goodison Park before they move into their state-of-the-art new stadium on Bramley-Moore Dock.