It seems that there is always a better team Dyche could pick. Surely he should play his strongest team?
 
Seamus is a better right back than Young and should have been back in the team two games ago. Young did well for the Beto goal against Fulham but Seamus would give more to the team at right back and should play.
 
Same with Branthwaite, he is more valuable to the team than Keane, and should play.
 
But Dyche's centre of midfield pick baffles me even further.
 
We give the opposition far too much possession, we struggle to keep the ball and Dyche is now playing Doucouré there. 
 
Yes Doucouré brings some energy to the midfield but why the hell Mangala is not playing with Gueye is a complete mystery to me.
 
Mangala and Gueye would make the midfield more solid, defensively but also offensively. Mangala made a big difference when he came on against Fulham and the move for our goal demonstrated the merits of playing Mangala and Gueye together. Mangala, who was on the right side of the pitch, got the ball from Young's throw in and quickly played a simple pass to Gueye who switched play to the left side. Myko touched the ball on to Ndiaye who put a deep cross in back to the right, where Young neatly laid it on a plate for Beto.
 
I just know that would never have happened if Doucouré had still been on the pitch instead of Mangala. The simplicity of Mangala's pass and then Gueye's was key.
 
This is not meant to be a slight on Doucouré; he is a different type of player (his clearance from Iwobi's cross was sublime). He doesn't keep things simple, his pass is unreliable and he does not help the team to keep possession. But if McNeil is out for the Southampton game Doucouré can revert to his more effective No.10 position and surely Dyche will then play Mangala and Gueye together giving the team a more solid look.
 
It is clear that Dyche likes Doucouré and is reluctant to leave him out of the team so when McNeil is back I would be very tempted to play Doucouré on the right. Admittedly I couldn't see him putting over many crosses but defensively he would help the right back and his directness going forward would give the team a new dimension and he could give DCL some good support up front which has been missing of late.
 
In fact, a midfield three of Mangala, Gueye and Garner (when fit) with Ndiaye, DCL and Doucoure up front, so to speak, would be very effective in my opinion.
 
But playing Doucouré in centre midfield with Gueye is just not working and is causing our main problem, which is the obvious lack of possession. Doucouré needs to be further forward supporting and helping DCL.
 
Doucouré's goal against Newcastle in my opinion was one of the best headed goals I have ever seen and if DCL should get injured I would have no hesitation in playing Doucouré up top. He can finish, is a threat in the air, has plenty of running to his game and his unpredictable way of playing I am sure would give any opposition defence problems.
 
Southampton is now a massive game for us. A win is a must if we are going to keep clear of a relegation dog fight. Southampton have already shown us that they are comfortable in possession when their reserves showed they have a passing game so Dyche must now play his strongest team and sort out our midfield problem. Getting hold of the ball and keeping it and playing Mangala with Gueye would help this to happen.   
 
A win against Southampton would be a massive boost for the team before they travel to West Ham for another vital game.
 
And wouldn't it be nice to start getting the refereeing decisions that our neighbours from across the park get. 
 
But one thing is certain, while we have the ball the referee cannot be giving dodgy free kicks to the opposition. My message to Sean Dyche is get hold of the ball and take the game to the opposition. Our goal against Fulham is the way forward and should be a blueprint of how to play the game.

Reader Comments (11)

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Jerome Shields
1 Posted 01/11/2024 at 13:46:30
Dyche's style of play is no specific style of play. The players are picked on their attitude to training and being prepared to do what they are told. Dyche seems better able to communicate and trust old players. They don't ask questions.

So players are picked in their positions to do a defending job first of all. The midfield is more about harrying or helping the defence than getting forward. Forwards first of all do a defending job and the likes of McNeil, Doucoure and Keane beyond that are selected for shooting ability.

Everton only attack when the opposition have quiet periods in the game and give ground. If the opposition lay off, like Ipswich, Everton are more in the game.

Jim, what you are talking about is good tactical play with support. Dyche's approach is practical. He picks the players on the training ground and lets them get on with the same on matchday. That is why the substitutions bar injuries are so late.

The advantage is the opposition is faced with an Everton side with no style of play and no tactics. A player that queries tactics or develops an attitude will not be selected. They need to work hard, do what is required of them, and shut up – glad to take part in a game.

Jim Wilson
2 Posted 01/11/2024 at 14:43:07
Jerome - the evidence supports exactly what you are saying. It is a strange way of working.

I think Dyche will stick with Young but I hope Branthwaite comes in for Keane and Mangala gets a chance to partner Gueye. This will hopefully make the midfield even tougher to play against.

It will be a hard game tomorrow, I just hope we can get on top for a decent portion of the game. Most teams seem to be weak at the back so taking the game to them is so obvious!

Mark Murphy
3 Posted 01/11/2024 at 15:07:28
I love Seamus to the moon and back but it would be unfair and unwise to leave out Young given his recent form. Next yellow he gets though he should be replaced by Patterson who should be eased into the best eleven.

I've asked before, but never got an answer, whether Branthwaite could be paired with Keane so Tarkowski can be given a spell on the bench?Keane is another one in form and shouldn't be dropped.

I hope though, that Doucoure is benched and Lindstrøm is given a chance at No 10 tomorrow.

Tony Abrahams
4 Posted 01/11/2024 at 15:34:28
I think the complete opposite of, Jerome, Jim, so no real surprise there, mate.

Jerome told us for years that the players ran Finch Farm, but now he's saying that if anyone questions the manager's tactics, they won't be picked, so if this is true then at least we are becoming more professional.

Everton only attack when the opposition have quiet periods is also debatable, but I suppose I'm going off the last Merseyside derby, when the only time Liverpool really got into the game was when Everton took their foot off the pedal.

Something that I don't think you can argue about is that Everton rarely try and impose themselves enough on the opposition. If this doesn't change, then more and more people are definitely going to start calling for the manager's head.

Jerome Shields
5 Posted 01/11/2024 at 16:06:12
Tony #4,

It's the players that must toe the line. Not Finch Farm, Tony, they are carrying on the same as usual.

I am not criticizing Dyche, his remit is to stay in the Premier League. With a limited squad, he is working to a formula that does not give the opposition any advantage.

They know that they will have to work to get a result against Everton, both home and away, without actually being able to work out Everton's tactics and style. Gone are the days of open attacking football at Everton. Dyche knows they will get caught out and then the pressure is on him.

Any team in the Premier League with predictable tactics and style without the right players will be taken to the cleaners by all the clubs in the Premier League. These guys know their football.

If Everton went gung-ho and won, the next game they will be sorted out if they try it again.

Dyche picks the players in the positions and gets on with it. It is as simple as that. I like to compare the football teams I played for. Often the team talk was pretty unrepeatable.

Of course I would like style, tactics and the beautiful football. The thing is, I still think that there is a core in Everton capable of it, but the reality is that the manager is paid to stay in the Premier League and he is doing his job.

Sorry, Tony: I do respect your football knowledge as always and value it. Just as Jim is very right with his suggestions.

Jim Wilson
6 Posted 01/11/2024 at 16:54:44
Jerome and Tony, I think you both are making good points.

Dyche without doubt is the boss, he likes his experienced players, he has a way of playing and thinks they are best at doing what he wants.

My point is that we can perform better if he picks what I consider the best eleven.

Tony, I totally agree that Everton rarely try to impose themselves on the opposition and, especially at home, this is a massive concern. Playing Gueye and Mangala together would help us to get a grip on a game in my opinion, and get more possession to players like Ndiaye and McNeil to create. I thought our goal against Fulham demonstrated this perfectly.

Tony Abrahams
7 Posted 01/11/2024 at 17:47:04
That's why I was saying I think it will be his downfall if things don't change, Jim.

I have always thought the players had too much power and have downed tools on a few managers, Jerome, and this is something I think you have usually confirmed until now mate.

You're now saying that Dyche is the boss, so that's definitely an improvement if it's true, is what I was trying to say.

Jay Harris
8 Posted 01/11/2024 at 17:47:10
Jim, totally agree with the points you are making. I think our midfield has needed beefing up for some time and playing Mangala and Gueye centrally is IMO our best option.

I also agree re Jarrad. It's a pity Michael Keane has to face the chop given his recent form but you have to be realistic and play your best players.

McNeil is a bit of an enigma for me. He has goalscoring ability and creative talent but too often gets lost across the middle of the pitch and does not impose himself on the game enough for his position.

I would like to see Ndiaye or Lindstrøm tried out there for a few games.

As for the full-back position, I watched Wan-Bissaka recently and the lad was outstanding and at £15M a snip. I think we will regret not picking him up.

Jerome Shields
9 Posted 01/11/2024 at 18:40:23
Tony #7,

Finch Farm could dictate attitude and effort, particularly under Kenwright & Co. But they never dictated tactics, but could influence their implementation and have done.

I think that has waned a bit with the passing of Kenwright's parentalism. Though I think the the rest and recovery regime of Medical Services is not up to the demands of the Premier League.

Both Tony and Jim are right about the more progressive approach, but I think Dyche will stick to plan A with the players he wants.

Everton have to climb up the table and, with another possible commission, I can't see him change. It's hard work and head down till the end of the season. That's Dyche.

Who knows — when The Friedkin Group are up to their neck trying to sort out the stadium and Everton's finances, they may just want a manager like Dyche to keep them in the Premier League.

Raymond Fox
10 Posted 01/11/2024 at 18:58:09
Dyche's first priority is work hard and be defensively solid. He also does not seem to want to drop a player when the last result was not a loss.

We have scored more goals than Man Utd and Newcastle Utd plus a few others. If Calvert-Lewin had converted his chances, it would look even better… so we must be doing something right going forward.

I think, for the quality of the players we have, we are doing okay; with a fit full squad we could finish 10th to 12th.

Anish Dosani
11 Posted 01/11/2024 at 21:43:01
Sean Dyche would play all of Harrison, McNeil and Calvert-Lewin in place of the younger prodigious talents Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi if he had these players in his squad because he values experience over talent!

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