Defour to stay put?

[occ-claret]

Think we'll go more 4-5-1 next season to accommodate.

[RVclaret]

Think we'll go more 4-5-1 next season to accommodate.

Really? Dyche has been 4-4-2 for past 3 seasons and every friendly so far has been the same. Can't see it changing.

[FactualFrank]

Think we'll go more 4-5-1 next season to accommodate.

We won't. We'll evolve and also look at the opposition. At home to the weaker teams, 4-4-2 makes more sense. Away to Chelsea, Man City? Then 4-5-1 counter attacking might be a good option. Too many people don't bother taking the opposition into consideration. Fortunately, I think Dyche does.

[DCWat]

I don't want to get carried away but....... could he fill the Renny Smith gap?

Have a word with yourself - you must have been on the bloody Bordeaux to think he could fill that gap!

[Bordeauxclaret]

I think we all long for his return

[tim_noone]

I think we all thought he was on his way. At the moment things are looking very positive.

I didn't think he was on his way...as I didn't think dyche was on his way nor Andre gray. There's some drama queens on here!

[Paul Waine]

Think we'll go more 4-5-1 next season to accommodate.

I hope I see us playing 4-5-1 this season - I can't wait as long as 2018/19.

Only 3 weeks until we are playing at Stamford Bridge.

Didn't Sean Dyche speak of playing in the way that fits the players you've got - won't be successful expecting them to play in ways they can't do (we aren't all Barcelona, and Real Madrid).

Maybe the additions to the squad are aimed at players that create more options around tactics and formations and includes opportunities to get a lot more out of Steven Defour. I don't know why, but I feel that Jack Cork is the "missing link" in our midfield that will enable Defour to be the star more often.

UTC

[tim_noone]

Your thoughts on jack cork and what he's gonna bring to the side are close to the mark.

[FactualFrank]

I hope I see us playing 4-5-1 this season - I can't wait as long as 2018/19.

What... every game?

So regardless of who we are playing, or how the game is going? That's mental. You don't just play one formation. You evolve and are ready to change depending on how the game is going... what injuries occur... what changes the other team make... lots of things.

[If it be your will]

.

[Vegas Claret]

most teams have figured out how to play against our 4-4-2, think how confused they are all going to be

[FactualFrank]

I'm not saying we won't go 4-5-1, but I doubt we'll flit between the two. We're not good enough for that yet. It'll be one or the other for the season, but not both.

'flitting' between the two is feckin easy. I don't wish to suggest our players are that thick.

[If it be your will]

.

[If it be your will]

.

[Paul Waine]

What... every game?

So regardless of who we are playing, or how the game is going? That's mental. You don't just play one formation. You evolve and are ready to change depending on how the game is going... what injuries occur... what changes the other team make... lots of things.

Good morning, Frank. No not every game. Exactly as you say, it would be fantastic if we have got the players with the flexibility to respond to the situation in every game and we can change tactics and formations as required to be successful against the opposition whoever we are playing. I'm hoping to get to most of the away games in the south east/south coast. 4-5-1 will suit me at Chelsea on the opening day and then see where we go from there.

UTC

[RocketLawnChair]

We only won two of our last 16 games so something needs to bloody change and quick.

[evensteadiereddie]

I'd argue with the additions of Walters and Cork particularly - with others to come - and what looked like a fully rejuvenated and committed Defour yesterday, it already has.

[Roosterbooster]

We only won two of our last 16 games so something needs to bloody change and quick.

Well Defour only started one of those games I think... (and we won it)... so if he's staying... maybe that'll do!!

[Devils_Advocate]

We won't. We'll evolve and also look at the opposition. At home to the weaker teams, 4-4-2 makes more sense. Away to Chelsea, Man City? Then 4-5-1 counter attacking might be a good option. Too many people don't bother taking the opposition into consideration. Fortunately, I think Dyche does.

Last season 4-4=2 was our defensive formation and 4-5-1 was the much more fluid attacking one which unfortunately Dyche gave up on after some excellent performances at home with it.

If we are going to do what you say and it is the evolution I too hope for it will be an attacking 4-5-1 against the weaker teams and at home to some of the mid-table teams with 4-4-2 against the top teams and for most away matches

[Blackrod]

Post 269 is also how I see it. We did look effective against weaker teams at home with a 4-5-1. Other games need the tried and tested hard working 4-4-2.

[claretandy]

With Boyd gone, i don't think we have the players to play our defensive version of 442, unless Arfield is first choice (which he isn't), and we bring in another workhorse wide man like Boyd.

[Blackrod]

Post 19 I mean. I was woken v early !

[BleedingClaret]

I hope I see us playing 4-5-1 this season - I can't wait as long as 2018/19.

Only 3 weeks until we are playing at Stamford Bridge.

Didn't Sean Dyche speak of playing in the way that fits the players you've got - won't be successful expecting them to play in ways they can't do (we aren't all Barcelona, and Real Madrid).

Maybe the additions to the squad are aimed at players that create more options around tactics and formations and includes opportunities to get a lot more out of Steven Defour. I don't know why, but I feel that Jack Cork is the "missing link" in our midfield that will enable Defour to be the star more often.

UTC

I think at this point we must not lose any players, because replacements won't be ready for the off.
Defour and Gray when performing are massive pluses, so whatever the truth of Dyches wishes for them or their own ambitions they must both be at least in the match day squad, fully fit and fully focused.

[BigChaCha]

Really? Dyche has been 4-4-2 for past 3 seasons

Did you watch the games last season?

The best home performance was Defour playing in a middle five and SD experimented more last season but did return to his comfort blanket of 442 far too soon.

I thought it was quite brave of SD last season to change the formation quite a few times after playing 442 for so long and I can see him being more flexible in future. The away run was frustrating though and showed SD's rigid thinking to be not quite up there with the top managers but it's still only early days in his managerial career so I'm keeping an open mind!

[claretspice]

Think the point about it being a world cup season is a really good one. It probably makes Defour less keen on a move to a retirement league, too.

Im another who thinks the signing of Cork will have a positive impact on Defour because Cork is a more mobile holding player. Im not sure our version of 4-5-1 is going to get that different conceptually to 442 - when we played it last season, the difference was that the central midfielders took it in turns to play a bit further forwards. The role of the wide players didn't really change. It was more a 4-4-1-1 really.

[BigChaCha]

Really? Dyche has been 4-4-2 for past 3 seasons

Did you watch the games last season?

The best home performance was Defour playing in a middle five and SD experimented more last season but did return to his comfort blanket of 442 far too soon.

I thought it was quite brave of SD last season to change the formation quite a few times after playing 442 for so long and I can see him being more flexible in future. The away run was frustrating though and showed SD's rigid thinking to be not quite up there with the top managers but it's still only early days in his managerial career so I'm keeping an open mind!

[RVclaret]

Did you watch the games last season?

The best home performance was Defour playing in a middle five and SD experimented more last season but did return to his comfort blanket of 442 far too soon.

I thought it was quite brave of SD last season to change the formation quite a few times after playing 442 for so long and I can see him being more flexible in future. The away run was frustrating though and showed SD's rigid thinking to be not quite up there with the top managers but it's still only early days in his managerial career so I'm keeping an open mind!

Yes, I did.

The majority of games he changed formation were when Gray was banned.

[piston broke]

one of the better 4-5-1 was Bournemouth at home.
Hendrick scored his excellent goal but was the main man in the hole behind Vokes. He was subbed and we weren't the same after. Defour also played.

[FactualFrank]

If we go 4-4-2 against Chelsea, it wouldn't surprise me if Cork and Defour started in the middle.

[ablueclaret]

4-4-2 away doesn't work it's then we need to try the variations. We must aim to win at least 4 away matches this season and that requires some innovative thinking.

[FactualFrank]

Ablue, I agree but it's not so much the formation, it's the strengh of central midfield. 4-4-2 would work superb so long as we have 2 strong central midfielders starting. Cork would be the defensive CM and Defour would be the attacking one. But this is Chelsea, so I do agree with you that packing the midfield might be a better option. This is why on an earlier thread I went with 4-5-1 with Gray up top on his own. They won't like Gray's pace and mix that with 3 central midfielders, where most battles are won, I think that would be wise.

[Newcastleclaret93]

its worth watching the highlights of the alfreton game on clarets player. Defour looked absolute quality.

Don't know if anyone else had noticed but he looks in much better shape than last year. Possibly a good Pre season is all he needed

[Diesel]

its worth watching the highlights of the alfreton game on clarets player. Defour looked absolute quality.

Don't know if anyone else had noticed but he looks in much better shape than last year. Possibly a good Pre season is all he needed

Did he smile though?

[moaninclaret]

Hope he stays, and if he does, we will see the best of him im sure. i dont think sd has shown him the door and i think he will be much fitter physically and mentally. Hes a class player we all know that , just what we need, a bit of flair and excitement utc

[Il Duce]

Agree that Defour looked good... thought Chris Long looked very sharp and proactive too!

[Newcastleclaret93]

I thought the same IL Duce,
Long looked great

[moaninclaret]

Think we are going to see a terrific player this season, hes class as we all know, and i think SD will have him physically and mentally fit and ready to go, he hasnt been pushed out of the door by SD and he looked sharp in saturdays friendly. i really hope he stays and shuts up his critics, and he can remain injury free, a bit of flair would be nice to see at Turf Moor and this chap has loads of it.

[ArmchairDetective]

Defour missed some big games last season (from memory: City away, Utd away, Liverpool away). These are the games he would have moved to the PL to be part of. Defour has unfinished business in the PL and I imagine he and Dyche are aware of that.