I love Dyche - but why won't he use Defour?

[Murger]

Dyche prefers a grafter to a flair player. Hence the reason Brady's been dropped.

[Ashingtonclaret46]

There was a moment in the game where we had the ball at the top end of the middle third, passed it back to halfway, and then from half way passed it all the way back to Heaton, possibly the longest pass of the match.

It was ridiculous.

Just as Manchester City did on a few occasions yesterday against Liverpool. It is called retaining possession and all clubs do it.

[beddie]

The longer the game went on the more it cried out for that one special creative pass (Defour), the Manager then has a dilemma, do I want to sacrifice the point that might be gained, if they go and nick one. I too thought they were there for the taking but overall that one point might just be crucial.

[Spijed]

Dyche prefers a grafter to a flair player. Hence the reason Brady's been dropped.

Why on earth would Dyche sign Brady if he's not his type of player?

[Walton]

Just as Manchester City did on a few occasions yesterday against Liverpool. It is called retaining possession and all clubs do it.

It's not retaining the ball when the keeper wellies it 80 yards up the field, straight to their defender's forehead. It's hoofball.

[Murger]

Why on earth would Dyche sign Brady if he's not his type of player?

Well he signed Bamford too, look how that worked out.

[jlup1980]

I was surprised he didn't give him 15 minutes at the weekend. From what I could tell it appeared Boyd and Arfield were offering very little in the attacking third. We could have replaced them with Defour and Brady to push for the win, but that's not the way we do things away from home. I genuinely hope SD just didn't want to risk Defour and it wasn't anything more (that others have suggested). He'll be crucial in the last 9 games IMO, absolutely crucial. He's the one player we have who can make something happen and turn a draw into a priceless win!!

[Spijed]

Well he signed Bamford too, look how that worked out.

Bamford was purely there as cover, Brady isn't. It would be a bit daft to spend £13 million on a player that doesn't fit into our system wouldn't it?

[DCWat]

I don't disagree with not using him. I'd rather he was 100% and able to contribute in the remainder of the season than risk a further injury from a fifteen minute cameo.

Part of the issue here must go back to our scouting of players. We've signed a great player but how on earth were we expecting to fit him into the squad, if we are not prepared to alter our style somewhat.

Grafting to stay up isn't a bad thing this season, it's almost mission accomplished. Assuming there is no disaster, next season (second season syndrome) will be interesting. We have to adapt somewhat from our current approach - we won't be as successful at home for a second season.

Dyche, if he wants to progress himself, needs to show that he can adapt his style of play and accommodate players that can bring more than work rate, but for now, he's done a bloody amazing job and we are near to achieving exactly what we all hoped for.

[MACCA]

Defour didn't come on due to us playing how we play every away game.... keep it tight, try and nick one.

I'd bet a penny to a pound that if we fell behind to one of Sunderland 's 2nd half chances, it would have been the first sub he made.

Lawton barely crossed half way in the last 30 mins, and he's our usual attacking option.

The objective of the day was don't get beat. We didn't, plan exicuted.

I'm getting as repetitive as Mr Dyce here, but he is a reactive manager, not a proactive one.

[Spijed]

I'm getting as repetitive as Mr Dyce here, but he is a reactive manager, not a proactive one.

That's true most of the time but for some reason he decided to change things (for the better) against Bournemouth just after half time, if I remember correctly, despite us leading 2-1.

[Ashingtonclaret46]

It's not retaining the ball when the keeper wellies it 80 yards up the field, straight to their defender's forehead. It's hoofball.

That isn't what you posted though --was it?

[Belgianclaret]

I think the battering at West Brom really affected Dyche and how he used Defour away from home, since that game we've always set up in a way just to get a point. I disagree massively with him, I think it would be a massive shame if we lost Defour.

Totally agree, although he certainly was not to blame for the defensive shambles in that game. If Hendrick had put away that tremendous chance after a very good spell by the clarets, it could have been a different game

[Dark Cloud]

I think discussions on here re Defour have now probably just about outnumbered those on Kevin MacDonald, but there you go. In truth I think it's patently obvious that something behind the scenes definitely isn't right and come the end of the season it will be very interesting to see what happens. Either:
1. He's carrying a niggling, but painful injury which may even pre date him joining us and nobody can properly fix it. It may even need an op in the summer or may prove worse than that, So we're "nursing" him and using him sparingly.
2. He's turned out not to be a "Dyche" type player and he doesn't rate him in the current framework for tactical reasons.
3. He's a grumbler/moaner who's signed for a "relatively" small PL club in a northern English town he'd never even heard of and he's now realised it's cold and it rains - a LOT! And he wants to go home.
It IS a shame he's not playing, but tbh when I have seen him play away from home he was no better than the rest and is basically "absent". At home he's been superb, but that applies to virtually the whole team.

[Saxoman]

Doesn't fit the framework.

That's how I read it. Don't reckon he has a long term future under dyche.

[Sidney1st]

That's how I read it. Don't reckon he has a long term future under dyche.

Good job we didn't pay silly money for him.
For what its worth, I think IF Defour stays we will see the best of him next season.

All the grumbling about a player who doesn't fit the system/framework is amusing, because Dyche is signing players that are of better quality then his previous players.

The system and framework are in transition, so it might well be a case of one of the most technically gifted players at the club having to sit on the bench for a bit.
Dyche is evolving as a manager and his team will evolve with him.
A bit of patience is required, although some people on here haven't got enough of that to spare.

Once we're safe it might not be a bad idea to get Defour sent off to see a specialist about his foot if that's causing him problems.

[minnieclaret]

It looks as though the hamstring problems are the reason he was hooked, regularly, early season.
Shame but his body isn't up to PL.
He will get used again but only when the situation dictates.
I feel he's better starting than as a sub but don't think SD would agree.

[claretspice]

I think discussions on here re Defour have now probably just about outnumbered those on Kevin MacDonald, but there you go. In truth I think it's patently obvious that something behind the scenes definitely isn't right and come the end of the season it will be very interesting to see what happens. Either:
1. He's carrying a niggling, but painful injury which may even pre date him joining us and nobody can properly fix it. It may even need an op in the summer or may prove worse than that, So we're "nursing" him and using him sparingly.
2. He's turned out not to be a "Dyche" type player and he doesn't rate him in the current framework for tactical reasons.
3. He's a grumbler/moaner who's signed for a "relatively" small PL club in a northern English town he'd never even heard of and he's now realised it's cold and it rains - a LOT! And he wants to go home.
It IS a shame he's not playing, but tbh when I have seen him play away from home he was no better than the rest and is basically "absent". At home he's been superb, but that applies to virtually the whole team.

Or (4) he's an overseas player in his first season in english football having spent all his previous career in leagues which have nowhere near the same pace and intensity and is taking his time to adapt to it, not helped by the fact he didn't have a pre season at the club. And given the fact he does have a susceptibility to muscular injuries, the club are being cautious with an important asset.

The amazing thing is so much if every thread about Defour is devoted to reading sinister conspiracy theories into his relationship with Dyche and Burnley, whilst ignoring the far more boring but more likely alternative.

[Sidney1st]

Didn't it take Ozil a season or two to settle into English football?

[Saxoman]

Ozil, like Andre arshavin, started on fire in English football, but eventually became inconsistant, like arshavin.

[Sidney1st]

Are you sure?

I was sure Ozil was a slow starter to the point Arsenal fans just didn't rate him at all, took about 18months to settle in and he's a better player now in English football then he was when he started.

[Saxoman]

I think both arshavin and ozil are symbols of wenger's less than intelligent eye for players capable of mounting a consistent challenge for honours. Both flattered to deceive over the course of a full season. I don't know what's happened to arsene since the days of signing henry, viera, petit, pires et al.. He's lost it..

[KRBFC]

Defour didn't come on due to us playing how we play every away game.... keep it tight, try and nick one.

I'd bet a penny to a pound that if we fell behind to one of Sunderland 's 2nd half chances, it would have been the first sub he made.

Lawton barely crossed half way in the last 30 mins, and he's our usual attacking option.

The objective of the day was don't get beat. We didn't, plan exicuted.

I'm getting as repetitive as Mr Dyce here, but he is a reactive manager, not a proactive one.

Which is exactly my issue, why do I want to see my team play for a draw every away game? Lacking real intent and waiting to concede before reacting. Not to mention the style of football is anti football at its finest, worse than a Pulis side. We're like a sh"" Tony Pulis side missing a Rory Delap and a cart horse like Kenwyne Jones.

[Tall Paul]

Which is exactly my issue, why do I want to see my team play for a draw every away game? Lacking real intent and waiting to concede before reacting. Not to mention the style of football is anti football at its finest, worse than a Pulis side. We're like a sh"" Tony Pulis side missing a Rory Delap and a cart horse like Kenwyne Jones.

There's some of that tripe BOT was talking about.

[Sidney1st]

Worse than Pulis side?

I can live with that, when we become worse than a Big Sam side I'll start to worry.

[claretdom]

Which is exactly my issue, why do I want to see my team play for a draw every away game? Lacking real intent and waiting to concede before reacting. Not to mention the style of football is anti football at its finest, worse than a Pulis side. We're like a sh"" Tony Pulis side missing a Rory Delap and a cart horse like Kenwyne Jones.

You don't go to away games you said so, turn your tv off and stop your boring daily whinge

[jrgbfc]

Tbh surely even people with the most claret tinted specs on can admit the way we play away from home is extremely negative?

[Tall Paul]

Tbh surely even people with the most claret tinted specs on can admit the way we play away from home is extremely negative?

In what way is it more negative than the way we play at home?

[Sidney1st]

In what way is it more negative than the way we play at home?

Probably because it doesn't work away from home

[moaninclaret]

dyche wants 100% from his players i dont think defour can give that at present but when he is fit he can make a massive difference he is class no doubt about that. would be a shame to keep him sat on the bench for the last few games so why not gamble and throw him on? if he gets injured again does it matter at this stage of the season? everyone suggests that he is leaving at the end of the season so lets give him a go.

[jrgbfc]

In what way is it more negative than the way we play at home?

Because at home even though we hoof it a lot we at least try and get bodies forward to support the frontmen and pick up the second balls. Away from home we just end up playing way too deep, inviting trouble.

[Tall Paul]

Because at home even though we hoof it a lot we at least try and get bodies forward to support the frontmen and pick up the second balls. Away from home we just end up playing way too deep, inviting trouble.

Not true.

Here's a couple of diagrams showing the average postions of our players, one is from the Sunderland game at weekend and one is from our most recent home win. Which is which?.