Brady goes off so we go with Pieters and then try shifting McNeil over to the wrong side to let Pieters be on his familiar side.

I'm no Bill Shankley but would it not be less disruptive to play one of Rodriguez or Vydra wide instead and not have to shuffle the back so dramatically?

Wood Vydra
Jay Rod McNeil Westy Brownhill
whoever is fit for the back four
Pope

The wide midfielders in Dyche's 4-4-2 have a heck of a lot of defensive responsibility and are asked to help in central midfield too. That's why hard-working central midfielders like Arfield, Hendrick and Brownhill and workmanlike wingers like George Boyd and Michael Kightly have had such success with us. It's also why Erik Pieters did such a good job in the restart.

Throw a striker on the wing for us and our midfield and defence will be seriously weaker. McNeil has struggled at times but it's been worth it because of his quality.

Understand that in theory daveisaclaret, but on tonight's evidence we didn't benefit from any of that extra cover those players can offer, and we lost a great deal of our threat going forward too.

Just think the above would be less disruptive. Perhaps one for when a more settled defence is operating mind...

With the exception of McNeil who seems completely unique in a Dyche system, we should know by now that wingers are advanced fullbacks and not deep-lying forwards. Cross from deep, win the second ball, protect the fullback to allow the 'real' fullback to play tighter to the centre etc etc etc. In spite of his flaws I think I'd prefer Pieters in that role than JRod, and especially Vydra, and I can only assume that decision was made to preserve the strength of the system.

edit-daveisaclaret pretty much said exactly that while I was typing!

what_no_pies wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 21, 2020 12:48 am

Brady goes off so we go with Pieters and then try shifting McNeil over to the wrong side to let Pieters be on his familiar side.

I'm no Bill Shankley but would it not be less disruptive to play one of Rodriguez or Vydra wide instead and not have to shuffle the back so dramatically?

There wasn't much else we could do. Pieters was the most obvious option to replace Brady seeing as we had no cover on the bench for that position.
You could argue that sacrificing Wood for Vydra at half time, or around 60 minutes and going 4-5-1 may have been an option. Pieters going to left back and a midfield 5 of , Taylor, Rodriguez, Westwood, Brownhill, McNeil with Vydra up front.

Lowton is a temporary option and more chance of a decent cross from the right than from Erik.

daveisaclaret wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 21, 2020 12:56 am

The wide midfielders in Dyche's 4-4-2 have a heck of a lot of defensive responsibility and are asked to help in central midfield too. That's why hard-working central midfielders like Arfield, Hendrick and Brownhill and workmanlike wingers like George Boyd and Michael Kightly have had such success with us. It's also why Erik Pieters did such a good job in the restart.

Throw a striker on the wing for us and our midfield and defence will be seriously weaker. McNeil has struggled at times but it's been worth it because of his quality.

McNeil had one of his sulk days yesterday and nearly every time he lost the ball, he just stood where he was instead of tracking back. It's a trait the Sean has mentioned before and he won't be a great player until he gets shut of it.

Gordaleman wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 21, 2020 9:39 am

McNeil had one of his sulk days yesterday and nearly every time he lost the ball, he just stood where he was instead of tracking back. It's a trait the Sean has mentioned before and he won't be a great player until he gets shut of it.

Remember the whole team was essentially a game behind Leicester in terms of fitness. And McNeil didn't play against Sheff U so he was playing catch-up more than most

Ric_C wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 21, 2020 9:52 am

Remember the whole team was essentially a game behind Leicester in terms of fitness. And McNeil didn't play against Sheff U so he was playing catch-up more than most

Good point Ric_C

It's a really serious problem for Burnley, and it needs solving quick. None of the forwards options look viable and Pieters was caught was all over the place for goal three as he should have picked up the scorer, however five players attacking the ball and leaving three unmarked didn't help.

It should be an easy sell, for a permanent signing or a loanee - you will get first team football right away as JBG will be out for a while

Ric_C wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 21, 2020 9:52 am

Remember the whole team was essentially a game behind Leicester in terms of fitness. And McNeil didn't play against Sheff U so he was playing catch-up more than most

As I said, it's something Sean has mentioned, not just me.

If we are going to play two left backs, I’d much rather have Taylor the most further forward ahead of Erik, simply because his pace can get up and down, and IMO can cross better.

It's ludicrous that after half an hour of the first game of the season we're in this position.

Tarks to Leicester and get albrighton here as part of the negotiations....then get another centre half in

What about Matty Phillips of WBA-not getting a game and end of contract approaching

Saw the topic and thought somebody was selling a swastika duvet