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I've noticed it a few times since pre-season where Pickford is looking to find the feet of Beto or Barry, who then either turn and move forward (if they are free) or lay it back to a midfielder (if they're being marked).

To create the space in the middle of the pitch to do this the centre backs are quite deep and wide. It makes me edgy to see CBs receiving the ball in FB positions, but I assume it's to create those open channels further up the field.

If it works, it looks a very effective way of progressing the ball.

The risk though is that if the ball doesn't stick with Beto/Barry then the opposition have a turnover with a lot of space to run into and attack. This is less risky that if we play it into the feet of a no.6, who loses it, but more likely (Barry seemingly better at flicks and lay offs than Beto).

I wasn't sure if the lack of a true no.6 is because Moyes doesn't need one - i.e. he wants us higher up the pitch, and to have athletic and box to box midfielders to cover as much turf as possible. Or if the tactic of direct balls through to the CF is because we lack a true no.6 who can receive in tight areas and not lose the ball.

Either way, it feels different to when Silva operated without a midfield, and we just played basketball going attack and defend. But still quite an open pitch and even when we've gone ahead we've not really closed things down to retain the ball in the middle of the park.

I also read that HD has larger pitch dimensions than Goodison, so perhaps it is a deliberate long term strategy.

I just wonder if it's reactive (suitable for the players we have) or intentional (and thus explaining recruitment decisions)!