But it doesn't mean that you always beat poorer sides. If it was a case of losing to teams with better squads then we'd never have beaten Lpool, Chelsea, Newcastle, Arsenal which we have done under Dyche
But we have a poor squad
If we were to be relegated, other than Branthwaite no player would be sold for more than £20m
Players are at Everton because no one else wants them
We have very few internationals and those who do generally play for the lesser countries
We dont even have any England u21s anymore
Its an ageing squad which is currently stretched
Every senior attacking player at the club actually played on Saturday
A new manager won't suddenly turn none creative players into creative players
But the focus on money is one dimensional (much like Dyche ho ho)
When Dyche arrived and results were questioned, it was 'because all the easy home games had been played under Lampard'
Then the following year it was 'we are wining the Xg we have an Xg around 2.5 / 3' its great - except it wasnt, the Xg dropped off, we went 14 games without winning - which is horrific.
Now its down to selling great players like Iwobi and signing shite... except Iwobi and Onana and Godfrey werent that great, at least not under Dyche.
There are valid reasons to have sympathy for the manager and coaches, the off field stuff, the points deductions, some of the decisions from the refs etc. But it doesnt excuse all the things they get wrong.
Its tedious to watch, and in terms of approach its gotten more and more narrow and risk averse - understandable in February, not in September. Its predictable, often ineffective, and dull.
Do Southampton have a better squad than us ?
We are arguably, the worst footballing side in the league. And that is down to how we set up.
I'm not expecting Brazil 70
But what we are playing is barely working. By being risk averse in approach, we are actually being very risky - as one mistake, one goal against can cost us. We are playing to win on fine margins.
Personally I think its unfair that Dyche has been left in the situation of his contract running down and not knowing if he stays or goes. That is harsh. The sooner the takeover is sorted the better, and if they decide to stick with Dyche so be it. He is in limbo which isnt fair. But if he is effectively auditioning for a new contract, then I think he might as well try something a bit different.
Personally at home, I'd try Beto and DCL up front, and tell Beto to run his arse off in channels and do the chasing and dirty work, and tell DCL to focus on staying central, holding up the play.
This would require us not playing Doucoure in central midfield though.
Pickford
Young Keane Branthwaite Myko
Ndiaye Gueye Mangala McNeil
DCL Beto
Something like that, has to be worth a try at some point ??
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