2024/25 Vitalii Mykolenko

[Vaughan]

No. Moyes likes a leftback capable of contributing more in attack and always has done. Even when he shunted Lescott over to LB all those years ago it wasn't for him to sit and defend.

Leftback will be a position he's insisting on changes to, not just a backup option. Myko is the backup in Moyes' eyes.

Agree, when we played our best attacking football under Moyes (probably 12-13 in all honesty) it was attacking through the fullbacks

I’m sure he’ll want someone with more pace, engine and attacking ability, but i think now that will be a summer job espeically with the injuries this weekend

 

[jamieni]

Agree, when we played our best attacking football under Moyes (probably 12-13 in all honesty) it was attacking through the fullbacks

I’m sure he’ll want someone with more pace, engine and attacking ability, but i think now that will be a summer job espeically with the injuries this weekend

Yeah we certainly can’t afford to do everything now and forward positions and maybe midfield are now urgent priorities.

 

[ClausThomsen]

I mean, yes, he could get forward, but dyches tactics like his fullbacks to stay back and narrow. Obviously they can and did go forwards at times but that’s not what Dyche set them up to do.

I don't think they do in all honesty. They are expected to get back when necessary, no Alexander-Arnold esque wandering about leaving gaps but under Dyche the fullbacks didn't stay back more than many other PL teams. Myko especially spent a decent amount of time in opposition thirds.

Now whether central players moved forward enough to give the fullbacks something attacking to hit is certainly open to question and the amount of lost possession in the opposition half certainly meant that as soon as they got forward it was time to run back. But I've never seen this fullbacks stay back regardless thing playing out except in matches where we were under the cosh and they couldn't get out quick enough due to constantly losing possession from long balls not being held up.

Yesterday was as clear an example of that happening as any game this season.

 

[Bedfordblue]

Played well today.

Shows what can happen when you have a manager from the Cretaceous era instead of the Triassic period.
Oh and sniff it haters

 

[Bagpuss]

Baines had definitely been working with him and Davey letting him cross the halfway line, suddenly thinks he’s prime Bobby Carlos.

 

[mo58]

This was his most well rounded game of the season. Looked threatening going forward and did well defensively.

 

[Zatara]

Clearly been told to play differently. Even linkup play with Ndiaye and Garner is night/day now.

 

[ClausThomsen]

Credit where it's due he looked a lot better today with his choice of pass.

Would still be very unsure of his overall quality though - Current Spurs aside he won't have had many easier games recently.

 

[Osamabindiesel]

Good on Moyes for getting him forward and working with him. He needs to improve his delivery and he looks more confident going forward. Hopefully he gets it down and become a threat in those positions.

 

[Frenk]

Looks a different player

 

[Huyton Layne]

Seems to suit the 5 at the back much better. Removes the stress of going both ways the full length of the field and he looks mentally relaxed.

 

[PeregrineT]

Seems hes good again, not having to defend 24/7 works well for him. He had a number of good crosses as he did last week.

 

[Hinchcliffe's Corner]

Thought this lad was incapable of crossing the half way line?

 

[Mark barnett]

Moyes has unleashed him, looked like a baller today

 

[Paul E]

Thought he was our weak link today. Gives the ball away too often. Lacks composure. Most crosses are poor but he's getting in better positions. Needs replacing in the summer if we have any ambition to kick on.