Circumstances change timelines and outcomes, is the serious point.
I have observed before that teams often exhibit their most potent form while they retain a bit from the old one, and have got a bit from the new one. Particularly when they are opposite styles. Then it swings away from good, to transition.
So the question becomes: is where you might be ultimately headed, better then where you left? For me, yes. I agree with the football values of a Dyche. I don't those of a postanoclue chap.
But you can't dismiss overlaid factors like losing the player that opened up the passing lanes on the pitch with his runs, and losing the bloke who sticks it in the netty thing. I mean you can, if you have equivalent level operatives - even in a different style.
But we haven't.
If you look at the likes of McAtee, Hutchinson, Savona, you are going to have to score a lot of goals. Because you sure as shit are going to concede them. As much as Jesus is quality at getting the ball under, and with his movement, he isn't a finisher (at the level, yet). There are almost no goals in the rest of the side, even from penalties.
Not sure what amazing tactics and man management people think can quickly solve those problems. I think its going to take time and work.
On a good day we look solid. On a bad day we look like they haven't taken the ideas on board well, and they are training harder than they are used to. The shape looks okay to me.... But that can't compensate for players being shit without the ball, and not being able to defend one on one.
There was some garbage stuff out there tonight. I'm pretty sure Dyche didn't send the Serbinator out there to defend one on one like an U14's winger. Given that's what he did, letting his man run free in the channels and through him, I'm not sure what he could have done tactically. Beyond predicting that the centre halves would look like novices, and finding a sweeper that we don't have to play behind them.
Barring our top eight or so, there's width but not the requisite quality. First choice side has obvious problems. Make a couple of changes and we are miles off it. Coupled with a bit of regression to the mean, a bit of being over footballed, a bit of disruption and lack of confidence, and a soupçon of extra injury (exacerbated by psychological factors), there are problems outside coaching and motivation.
I think Dyche has us achieving top half outcomes in league and Europe, despite these problems.
What are people expecting? We aren't really an established top flight side yet, in terms of squad at the level. Despite the massive overperformance of last season. That opportunity was largely squandered with the summer transfer dealings.
