Is Sean Dyche playing our strongest available team?

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.

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