A potential solution to Howe’s selection headache - The switch that suits Hall and Kelly?
After covering the right-back battle featuring Tino Livramento and Kieran Trippier in part 1 of this mini-series, we move on to left-back and the second selection headache facing Eddie How.
Lewis Hall vs Lloyd Kelly
This appears to be the strangest dilemma facing the gaffer, but not the hardest. Personally, I think a lot of Hall’s perceived weaknesses can be solved by playing Kelly alongside him at LCB. Liverpool have a similar problem with Trent Alexander-Arnold and they cover for his weaknesses by playing Konate next to him, who ranks in the in the eightieth percentile for tackles, progressive passes and carries, highlighting that he can find TAA with passes into forward areas and still cover for him in transition by putting in a tackle.
Dan Burn ranks in the twentieth percentile for all the same statistics. Kelly’s data is similar for Newcastle so far this season, however in his final campaign for Bournemouth his stats track similarly to Konate. Although both Burn and Kelly’s data is skewed by playing at fullback and centre back when compared to Konate.
Kelly's superior pace and athleticism to that of Burn could help if we're caught on the counter with Hall high up the pitch. Don't get me wrong. Burn has generally started the season well, but his lack of mobility in big spaces was evident as Wolves broke past him to score Sunday's opener on the counter. I don't think we concede that goal if Larsen - who starts the attack - is up against Kelly.
Additionally, Lewis Hall has clearly got issues with his durability and stamina. For stoppage time against Wolves, he had to go up front due to cramp and was basically a body, leaving us with ten men. Not ideal in any game, not least a tight one, separated by just one goal.
This dilemma may be more of a rotational solve, Kelly and Hall will rotate in and out based on the opposition. Still, I would love to see Eddie try a back four of Livramento – Schar – Kelly – Hall, once or twice before Botman returns from injury.
