2022/23 Sean Dyche

[allen]

The bit towards the end about whether this squad actually fits a 4-4-2 is the best bit; lots of conundrums already really. The obvious one is Dominic Calvert-Lewin - if he goes down, we're in the realms of Simms or Onana up top so that we have someone who the ball can stick to; pretty chilling stuff.

But the more interesting one in my opinion is how you set up on those flanks - the fullbacks thus far have been really poor but there's not much challenge to them; McNeil got binned off by Dyche for a lack of effort last time out and is in abysmal form; Iwobi has been far better through the middle over the last year; Garner is injured and not the quickest anyway; we've sold Gordon; we might need Gray through the middle; Doucoure maybe involved too but has seemingly spat the dummy out?

Maybe Mills gets given a go on the right and Iwobi on the left? So many different possible approaches here, and you get the sense that only 1 or 2 of them will actually work...

It's always interesting, waiting to see how a manager sets up in their first game.

I reckon there will be only one or two surprises in terms of the personnel he picks on Saturday, but by far the more noticeable difference will be in how we're set up once we kick-off.

 

[kenada_blue]

Interesting watch.

Gray as a second striker isn't something I'd considered, but it could work with Dyche's style.

Think he's the only one who could do it IMO.

Would be a bit like Richy and Dom at times under Carlo...you'd have Gray running in behind flick ones etc. He's also the only one with a goal threat and pace.

 

[Tilling]

I dont doubt they'll be more together and supportive on the pitch as a unit. The overall press might improve over time (that we dont have), but do we have the man-power up front to a/ get goals and b/ stretch their effort to 18 games withouth breaking down? I doubt we can tick either of those two boxes...which is why it was criminal of Dyche to take this job.

Dyche will bank on retaining the position when relegated by geting a better performance and points total in 8 games than Lampard got from 20. That's nice for him personally if he gets it, but it wont mean we stay up, which is all Ilm bothered about.

You're right in that we don't have much time - but we're out of both cups and the fixture schedule isn't as congested for us as it is for other teams; we'll have more time than other clubs to get that tactical understanding right on the training ground. Whether it works will again come down to how stark the difference actually is between Lampard and Dyche as coaches. That time between games probably forms my answer to your point B.

We definitely don't have the manpower up front like, we can agree on that - the fact we've come out of January without a striker to cover for DCL is absolutely atrocious. Set pieces and tightening up at the other end is how we'll stay in the league if we do, 100% - that or Ellis Simms goes full Kevin Campbell, which lets face it, isnt happening. He did get 7 in 17 for Sunderland though, which is a much better record than some of the tripe we were linked to in the end (Lucas Joao!!! )

 

[allen]

Think he's the only one who could do it IMO.

Would be a bit like Richy and Dom at times under Carlo...you'd have Gray running in behind flick ones etc. He's also the only one with a goal threat and pace.

I maintain that Maupay could work well with DCL - but if Dyche likes a pair of target men, then he's definitely not going to work.

 

[Jebus_lives]

...and who goes in to replace him?

That's the problem isn't it. Perhaps Simms or Gray. I actually think Cannon would work well under Dyche. Type of player he likes.

But we badly needed another body or two upfront in January. He's boxing with one hand behind his back.

 

[toffeeblue9]

We just dont have enough up front and out wide.

The lack of depth is going to kill us. The first major injury we have in attacking positions - and it will happen - the season is over.

I think out wide is going to be difficult, but I expect Iwobi to be chosen out wide mostly as the two wide players for Burnley tucked in a lot to get close to the front two. That'll give you Gray, McNeil (who you'd hope would be much better under this manager), Iwobi and Townsend when he gets fit (and I seem to remember him being due back this month?)

Up front, you're right - how you can sustain a 442 with only Calvert-Lewin and Maupay as senior strikers available is the big one for me. Simms might be able to do a few mins here and there, but is it realistic to be expecting him to contribute properly? Dunno. Said it elsewhere, but it's now looking to me like letting Rondon leave was an error. I could have possibly seen him doing a job off the bench under Dyche.

 

[toffeeblue9]

Also possible that Dyche, because of the lack of striking options, sets us up in a 4411 as he did sometimes at Burnley, which allows you to play Iwobi as a 10 (the lad has his faults, but workrate isn't one of them) with Gray and McNeil wide.

Still relies on Calvert-Lewin staying fit though - everything does.

 

[Lobster Johnson]

At Newcastle, Eddie Howe beat most of the players, they needed a kick up the arse like our lot.

At Newcastle Graeme Souness beat most of the players. Oh wait, just Craig Bellamy. To within an inch of his life.

 

[davek]

You're right in that we don't have much time - but we're out of both cups and the fixture schedule isn't as congested for us as it is for other teams; we'll have more time than other clubs to get that tactical understanding right on the training ground. Whether it works will again come down to how stark the difference actually is between Lampard and Dyche as coaches. That time between games probably forms my answer to your point B.

We definitely don't have the manpower up front like, we can agree on that - the fact we've come out of January without a striker to cover for Dominic Calvert-Lewin is absolutely atrocious. Set pieces and tightening up at the other end is how we'll stay in the league if we do, 100% - that or Ellis Simms goes full Kevin Campbell, which lets face it, isnt happening. He did get 7 in 17 for Sunderland though, which is a much better record than some of the tripe we were linked to in the end (Lucas Joao!!! )

Even the teams at the bottom have a full compliment of players. The 5 sub rule will hammer us now. It'll certainly help reduce any aid we get from having pretty much one game per week on average.

It's absolutley criminal we loaned out players who could get on the pitch and help the cause like Dobbin, Cannon, Branthwaite, Nkounkou etc...I mean, we're fighting for our lives here and other teams are using our players.

WTF is going on at this club?

 

[chicoazul]

Here’s what will happen today.

Dyche will take his first press conference and say some real stuff that will resonate with you and then you’ll come on here to report getting a good feeling from him, and suddenly feeling optimistic that’s he’s the right man to save Everton. Same as you’ve done almost annually for the last seven years.

Let me speculate that some of you by May, but a lot of you by Christmas, will be abusing him and hounding him out.

*snake in circular shape eating it’s own tail*

 

[davek]

That's the problem isn't it. Perhaps Simms or Gray. I actually think Cannon would work well under Dyche. Type of player he likes.

But we badly needed another body or two upfront in January. He's boxing with one hand behind his back.

Just made that point myself mate.

It's utter madness how this club is run. Is there any chance we can call these players back still?

 

[coollino]

salt of the earth kinda guy

 

[chicoazul]

salt of the earth kinda guy

He’s a real one him.

 

[davek]

I think out wide is going to be difficult, but I expect Iwobi to be chosen out wide mostly as the two wide players for Burnley tucked in a lot to get close to the front two. That'll give you Gray, McNeil (who you'd hope would be much better under this manager), Iwobi and Townsend when he gets fit (and I seem to remember him being due back this month?)

Up front, you're right - how you can sustain a 442 with only Calvert-Lewin and Maupay as senior strikers available is the big one for me. Simms might be able to do a few mins here and there, but is it realistic to be expecting him to contribute properly? Dunno. Said it elsewhere, but it's now looking to me like letting Rondon leave was an error. I could have possibly seen him doing a job off the bench under Dyche.

How does Thelwell look at the squad and know that replacements are not likely to be forthcomning and allow us to be so exposed?

The feller would be sacked on the spot at any functioning club at any level, let alone the PL.

 

[Jebus_lives]

Just made that point myself mate.

It's utter madness how this club is run. Is there any chance we can call these players back still?

Not sure it'll depend on the loan agreement. I hope DCL stays fit as he's pretty much essential unless we can get a free transfer in. I don't fancy our chances with Simms, Maupay and Gray as our attacking options.

Simms can be coached to run around as and press as part of a system but he's not got any experience at this level as a goal scorer.