I have managed to get all retro 2020 and come down with Covid so, to cheer myself up, have written an article that’s actually about the football itself rather than the finances or recruitment etc (neither of which are particularly cheery subjects). This article is about the things to focus on to get us out of the mire and into a good (upwardly mobile) rhythm.
Obviously, the main challenge for Sean Dyche this season is to accrue enough points to keep out of trouble. Having added greater strength to the wings and attack this summer, we should be able to do that – hopefully by scoring more goals.
But there are a few fundamental things still to address – building the sorts of team structures and partnerships that brought (relative) success under Moyes and (initially at least) Martinez. A few weeks ago I’d have opened with getting Branthwaite into the first XI to form a partnership with Tarkowski but that already seems to be happening. So I’ve broadened my thinking on this.
1. 1. Sort out the full-backs
Under David Moyes, we saw our full-back play (on the left) reach a very high standard indeed. Martinez arguably took this to new heights with Baines (or Oviedo) and Coleman rampaging down both flanks, with the confidence that McCarthy and Barry were there as cover.
Since then, Digne has had good spells and Coleman keeps defying the critics, but we’re presently not well served by our full-back play. Mykolenko is a defensive full-back, possibly better suited to being the left-sided centre-back in a 3-5-2 formation. Patterson is an attacking full-back, possibly better suited to being a right-wingback in a 3-5-2.
Since Dyche generally plays a back 4, this may pose some structural problems. But I wouldn’t overplay that. Both full-backs probably need a good run of games more than anything. Last week, Mykolenko certainly had a good game for Ukraine against England in a back 4 and kept Saka quiet.
And one of the key ingredients of good full-back play is a strong partnership with the wide-midfielder or winger. In McNeil and Harrison, we now have industrious, diligent players on both flanks. That should make life easier for Mykolenko and Patterson when the wide midfielders are fit.
If we can materially improve our full-back contribution this season, then we’ll pose a much bigger threat going forward and be able to hang onto possession for longer.
2. Get Garner and Onana playing together more effectively
Even in a back 4, full-backs now generally operate as wing-backs or auxiliary midfielders these days. This is even more the case if you play a double defensive pivot in midfield which is what Onana and Garner look like, at least on paper. Neither are hunters or pressers, like Gueye or Allan. Whilst they might be comfortable on the ball and capable of contributing in attack and marauding forward from time to time, they are both generally “sitters” (especially Onana) with a good long and short passing range.
This is not unlike, say, Petit and Vieira of old, or Wanyama and Dembele more recently. But because they sit, the full-backs have to push on – otherwise we end up with 6 players behind the ball with no forward options and no forward momentum.
It’s up to Dyche to get this to work – and start easing Gueye out of the picture (since Gueye will be gone for Afcon and then leave at the end of the season).
3 3. Figure out who plays as the Number 10
With the sale of Iwobi, we’re now missing the recent best source of assists and creative short passing and movement around the opposition box.
Dyche needs to figure out who plays just ahead of the double-pivot in the central position. From our recent history, you could see Cahill or Fellaini doing a fine job here – supporting Beto and arriving late for crosses from the wingers or full-backs.
Unfortunately, we don’t have a Cahill or Fellaini on the books. More disappointingly still, I can’t see us finding ourselves a Bergkamp anytime soon to play ahead of our double-pivot.
People might fairly point out that at Spurs, Wanyama and Dembele had our very own Dele Alli ahead of them doing great things in the Number 10 spot. Sadly, as much as I’d love our Dele Alli dreams to come true – I can’t see that ever happening. I’d be surprised if he ever plays another game for us.
Without a Cahill, Fellaini, Bergkamp or (functioning) Alli in the squad, the options are:
· Play 4-4-2 and do away with the need for a Number 10. I know a lot of fans are wishing their lives away for the return of 4-4-2, given we last experienced success with that formation. However, using Beto and (say) Calvert-Lewin together is, to my mind, extremely unlikely other than very late in games to snatch a goal. With these two up top together, we’d be seriously undermanned in midfield and struggle to gain enough possession to get the ball to our forward double act.
· Play Doucouré, he’s the box-to-box athlete and has shown himself to be effective since Dyche joined. The trouble is he really is more an athlete than a footballer – despite the heroics against Bournemouth. This is not the style of player you really want as a Number 10, as his passing range and skills are very limited. He’s also off to Afcon and then free at the end of the season.
· Play McNeil, he’s a quality footballer and regularly played this position (with Cornet wide left) during Dyche’s last season at Burnley. This looks a decent fit to me, with Danjuma wide left and Harrison wide right. It creates an attacking three behind Beto, who have a mix of pace, guile and athleticism. However, McNeil’s stats faded badly at Burnley when played in this position and they went down – so it’s not exactly tried and trusted.
· Play Danjuma, he’s also a talented footballer but very much a forward rather than a midfielder. It would be 4-4-1-1 to use Danjuma as the Number 10. He would be flanked by McNeil on the left and Harrison on the right – albeit this might interfere with Danjuma’s best work which involves cutting in on his right foot from the wide-left position.
In practice, I expect that Doucouré will occupy the role initially, but Dyche will vary it up once he has a fit trio of Harrison, McNeil and Danjuma available. Doucouré may then struggle to regain his place once he returns from Afcon.
Given the strengths and weaknesses of McNeil, Harrison and Danjuma, I expect it may become a little fluid as to which players occupy the wings and the centre at any one time. A little bit like Leicester when they had the incredibly hard-working Okazaki behind Vardy – with Mahrez and Albrighton on the flanks.