FOOTBALL fans have joked that Sean Dyche "played 4D chess" by sending Mason Holgate on loan to Sheffield United.
Holgate, 27, was sent off for a horror tackle on Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma at the weekend.
The defender dived in on the winger, taking him out at knee height just 12 minutes into the game.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp described it as "scandalous" and "one of the worst tackles" he'd ever seen.
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Sheffield United went on to lose 5-0 to Brighton, leaving them rock bottom of the Premier League table.
Holgate's parent club Everton are also in a relegation battle.
The Toffees currently sit 18th in the table, but they will have the opportunity to leapfrog Luton with a win over Crystal Palace on Monday.
Some Everton fans have now joked that Dyche sending Holgate on loan to a relegation rival was genius.
One person tweeted: "When Dyche said Holgate going to Sheff Utd was a good deal for us I think this is exactly what he meant to be honest ð."
Another wrote: "4D Chess Dyche is playing there."
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While another commented: "Sean Dyche sending Agent Holgate to send Sheffield United down."
Holgate was initially loaned to Southampton at the start of the season, but his move was terminated early last month.
He made just seven appearances for the Saints during his time at St Mary's.
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The defender was sent out on loan again on transfer deadline day, this time to Sheffield United.
He lost BOTH of his debuts by a scoreline of 5-0, with Southampton losing to Sunderland and the Blades suffering a defeat to Aston Villa.
Sheffield United next face Wolves on Sunday.
