I agree with a lot of what you say and what a number 10 should look like. Doucoure isn’t good enough for that position either, but i understand where we’re as a team at the moment, these players suit dyche and his style, probably averaging 35% possession most weeks, hard work, counter attacking and getting players in the box.*Note: Your post didnt say McNeill was a bad player so not arguing/debating with you, just giving my view on him.
He is very one footed, but he does have a belter of a left foot. It's a shame he hasn't got pace, because he's not a bad footballer at all. Very much a confidence player. Soon as Dyche came in, asked him to play to his strengths, he changed. He's confident, even on Friday, him and Iwobi were the ones who as soon as they got the ball, they were direct.
Honestly I thought he was absolutely garbage at the start of last season, but having seen what he can do, he's a decent player to have and perhaps he's maturing a little bit, gaining that extra bit of footy knowhow, dealing with pressure better.
With regards to number 10, yeah I get it, i think he can do a job in specific games there, because having a player who can strike the ball as well as cleanly as he does (see Brighton, Brentford and Fulham) is a very, very useful weapon. Generally though a number 10 has a bit more pace, a bit more agility and can twist and turn quickly and create those quick links to open spaces. McNeill doesn't quite have that low centre of gravity (although he looks fitter than ever playing in that heat on Friday).
My mind has completely changed on him, happy to admit it and im sure others would as well. November time I was not seeing why we purchased him. Now I can see it, he's had his most productive season yet, mostly coming in this half of the season. He's got that horrible cloud of "1 goal" the season before away from him. His general play and link up has improved, through confidence im sure. Im certain had DCL not been made of string, he'd have had an even bigger output as DCL would have got on the end of some of his crosses. Bare in mind we have McNeill who can cross a ball but we've had absolutely zero target in the box for him to go for.
We have an unbalanced team. DCL back fit (lol), with another striiker to challenge/start, and another pacey right winger would massively revolutionise our attack.
I think most would agree,
Long term to start challenging the top 10 and the European places again we need better footballers and more possession.
One position I think McNeil could suit is left side of a 3 man midfield, he works hard seems a very fit lad,
Understands the defensive side, so can help the left back and can drive forward from That position and link with the left forward and still get shots and crosses in. The other 2 midfielders would have to compliment him to make it work