BBC Sport pundit frustrated by Everton stars in new ‘old school’ Sean Dyche admission
Michael Ball has been left enraged by Everton and their ineffectiveness from throw-ins under the management of Sean Dyche, suggesting it is the players’ job to work on set pieces.
The Toffees have become one of the Premier League’s most effective teams from corners and wide free-kicks under Dyche, with the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite carrying aerial threats.
However, BBC Sport pundit Ball believes Everton are wasting valuable chances from throw-ins, suggesting that the Toffees should be using those moments as goal-scoring opportunities in games to put the opposition under pressure.
Writing for the Liverpool Echo (22 January) he said: “There is one area where I think a change could have a real impact: throw-ins. One thing that I have noticed is when one of these attacks leads to a throw-in in the opposition half, we very rarely make the most of it.
“This surprises and frustrates me. Throw-ins are a part of the game, we basically should be using this opportunity as a set piece.
“I understand this may be considered ‘old school’. I also understand most players don’t like standing around the training pitch doing set pieces for hours on end through the week but without trying to sound like Roy Keane, it is their job!
“It’s part of the game and it is an opportunity. Small details can make the difference and I believe this area needs improvement as soon as possible. With Dyche’s current style, I think it will suit these players. It also puts doubt into the minds of the opposition.
“After a while, when clubs begin to expect a long throw, it will create more space for a player to go short and make it easier to have more time to deliver a better quality cross for Calvert-Lewin and co.”
Tough ask
Everton have become incredibly effective from set pieces since Dyche arrived at Goodison Park, but is hard to see how the Toffees can do the same with throw-ins unless they have a second Rory Delap hidden somewhere in Goodison.
It’s hard to notice that the Blues have been particularly poor from throw-ins this season as very few clubs manage to fashion goal-scoring opportunities from what are effectively little more than mini-restarts in the match.
The height throughout Dyche’s side means that if they were able to get the ball into the penalty area, they would probably have a reasonable chance of at least testing the keeper with an effort on goal.
However, it seems unlikely that Ball’s “old school” revelation will be the difference maker in the second half of the season at Goodison Park.
In other Everton news, Dyche reportedly put his foot down over one player’s transfer exit during the summer window
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