Jamie Carragher has sought to briefly direct attention away from the outstanding Everton news, live on Monday Night Football.
Whilst the headlines were understandably dominated by their successful appeal, which saw their ten-point deduction reduced to just six, the former Liverpool defender did not want to dwell on such off-pitch matters for too long.
Instead, he would launch into a glowing monologue about their manager Sean Dyche, lauding his style of play and the success enjoyed with what many would describe as relatively archaic tactics.
We take a closer look at his comments…
What Jamie Carragher said about Everton
Speaking live on Sky Sports just last night, the 46-year-old was effusive in his praise for the former Burnley boss, who has worked wonders across his 13 months in charge at Goodison Park.
Taking over a club seemingly destined for the drop, he whipped them into shape with impressive speed and guided them to safety on the final day of the season.
Seeking to ensure this campaign does not go down to the wire again, this four-point remuneration will certainly aid that process.
However, so too will his pragmatic tactics, which Carragher outlined after their draw with Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.
He noted, on Jarrad Branthwaite’s fine finish: ‘This is a goal I have seen Everton score five times since Sean Dyche came in and I don’t see anyone else score this type of goal.
‘I look at the position Jordan Pickford takes up and he takes a lot of free kicks from this position. It is almost something you would see from the 1980s or 90s, where the keeper comes up to the halfway line but Everton are getting goals from it and nobody else is doing it so credit to Sean Dyche and his team.’
Sean Dyche is bringing old-school tactics into the modern era
Whilst many have lambasted Dyche for the manner in which he set his Burnley team up, few could argue with its effectiveness.
After all, he kept them in the Premier League for many years on a shoestring budget, even pushing them into European places, with frustrating football that angered many.
But those who were left furious were also woefully uninformed, as his system was far from prehistoric.
In fact, whilst many might think the 4-4-2 is a marker of times gone by, it is worth noting that most top teams actually use that formation in defensive situations
Its coverage of the field is unparalleled and helps Dyche maintain a rigid defensive structure with which his success is then built.
He has maintained a focus on defending ever since joining Everton, and it is a testament to that quality that only the top three teams have conceded less than them this season.
The long-ball football they often employ has been frustrating at times, but with the right players, it could definitely prove fruitful. After all, it’s not like they’re not creating any chances. They simply cannot finish those numerous opportunities.
Those who profess that the 52-year-old is archaic are so terribly wrong, and whilst his tactics might seem old-school, the modern-day evolutions he has made are what have allowed him to maintain relevance in an ever-changing football landscape.
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