I remember the joys of pre-seasons past. An absence of ridiculous, fictional speculation. Well-tanned, overweight players showing their lack of fitness against never heard of opponents. The anticipation of a new season, full of hope and aspirations. Great days, eh?
Well, I’m still optimistic. The sad news is that optimism is based on us staying up, not European qualification, winning a cup. Staying up. That’s all you need to know about the leadership of Young Mr Grace and The Oligarch’s Mate.
What’s my optimism based on? A few simple facts. Last season we were a mid-table team, badly managed and coached. From the end of January till May, we were a mid-table team better managed and coached.
Despite a standing start, with barely a striker/goalscorer in the squad, Dyche found a way of keeping the team up. Nothing special involved, simply getting the team fitter, instilling a good mindset, keeping its shape and getting the ball into areas where we could score – even though we were woefully short of goalscorers. I know Leeds and Leicester supporters who wish they’d got Dyche before we did.
A full season based on Dyche’s results from January would have had us finishing 12th or 13th.
My thinking is that, with a full pre-season, better fitness from the off, and please God, a finisher in addition to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, what’s going to make us do worse? Only a potential points deduction for this season, in my view.
This isn’t a celebration, it’s nowhere near good enough for us as a club. Someone has to steady the ship. I think Sean Dyche is the man for the job. Whether he can do more than that, nobody knows, but for now I’ll settle for a steadier ship, playing with purpose and a more defined identity of play.
I think we’ll finish 13th with the caveat that an immediate hefty points deduction would scupper things. But even in that case, I’d suggest the lawyers will drag it out to next season, or get it chucked out completely.
13th. Lucky for some?