Saikat Mandal

Fri 3 February 2023 6:10, UK

Everton may have failed to sign any new player in the January window, but Sean Dyche can still give the Toffees a bounce, suggests Gabby Agbonlahor.

While speaking on talkSPORT, Agbonlahor says that Dyche could get the best out of his players by adopting a traditional system with two strikers upfront.

The new Toffees boss could start with both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Neal Maupay, and ask Dwight McNeil and Demarai Gray from the wings to send the ball into the box. Frank Lampard usually played with a lone striker upfront in a 4-3-3 system.

“He’s probably gonna go with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Neil Maupay,” said the talkSPORT pundit.

“Dwight McNeil, he had at Burnley. You’ve got Demarai Gray. Get the ball into the box, bring the energy back into Everton.

“When a new manager comes in they can get that bounce. I think Sean Dyche as a manager can do that.”

Old school

Nowadays managers usually do not play with a conventional 4-4-2, but they mix it up.

Lampard usually adopted a 4-3-3 system with a lone striker, and he even used 4-2-3-1 as well.

The idea of using two strikers upfront isn’t a bad idea. Everton need goals, and their best chance of scoring is by going direct.

They do not have players who can keep long possession and find those intricate passes in the final third. Had that been the case, the club wouldn’t have been sitting 19th in the table.

At the same time, there should be mobility as well.

The two strikers should drop down if needed, while the wingers must also focus on cutting inside and have a go at the goal as well.

Otherwise, it would be too predictable, and clubs will easily nullify Everton’s goal threat.

With no signings in January, there’s very little to get optimistic about, but a new manager always comes with fresh ideas, which can be refreshing.