Is the midfield really sorted?
Mar 12, 2016 12:07:49 GMT
Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2016 12:07:49 GMT
At the beginning of the season, after signing Schneiderlin and Schweinsteiger we were all waxing lyrical about how good our midfield now looks on paper. I myself commented that we'd gone from having a shite midfield to one of, if not the best in the league.
Fast forward 7(ish) months and I'm not at all convinced. Every single 1 of them has been disappointing.
Schweinsteiger has predictably had a few injury problems but even when fit wasn't tearing up buildings besides the odd performance. It's alright saying he may need a season to get used to the league but we're talking about a guy who has captained his nation to World cup success here. If he's the signing we all believed he would be and what I'm sure LVG thought he would be then he should be completely controlling this midfield when he plays yet he's often culpable for looking the most clueless of the bunch.
Schneiderlin looked like the perfect signing for that holding midfield position, at Southampton he always looked cool and clam and was excellent at breaking play up and making the simple passes to set his team on the attack. For us he looks rash, his passing has been poor and in general his game has been anything but cool and calm.
Herrera, when on form has been the best of the bunch for me but is far too inconsistent. Just when you want him to take a game by the scruff of the neck he doesn't seem to be able to do it. Still the thing I like about him above the others is that win or lose he always looks like he's giving his all.
Carrick has had some good performances this season but is way too mistake prone, showing some serious lapses in concentration, particularly as the season has gone on. I feel a certain amount of sympathy for him as in my opinion he shouldn't be starting anywhere near as much as he is for us and is often the midfielder we're trying to rely on the most despite it being painstakingly obvious he can't produce as consistently as he has done in the past.
Then you've got the others who aren't out and out cm's or in Blind's case not yet. Fellaini has proved useful on occasion but for the majority of the time has been a big heap of steaming turd. Then again he has never been a central midfielder in my eyes.
Biggest thing about them all is that they all lack any character whatsoever. When we're on top in a game and dominating possession they all look brilliant but the moment the opposition makes life difficult for them they completely wilt and the opposition seems to bypass our midfield with complete ease. Where is the Scholes/Keane character who can take the game by the balls and drive us forward?
For me, what looked like a good midfield in September has turned into a weak, slow, soft and gutless bunch and even though part of the reason for that will inevitably lie at the door of the manager and his style of play these guys also have to look at themselves and up their own game dramatically.
Absolutely no doubt in my mind that we need further reinforcements in this area in the summer and have to let a couple go.
Fast forward 7(ish) months and I'm not at all convinced. Every single 1 of them has been disappointing.
Schweinsteiger has predictably had a few injury problems but even when fit wasn't tearing up buildings besides the odd performance. It's alright saying he may need a season to get used to the league but we're talking about a guy who has captained his nation to World cup success here. If he's the signing we all believed he would be and what I'm sure LVG thought he would be then he should be completely controlling this midfield when he plays yet he's often culpable for looking the most clueless of the bunch.
Schneiderlin looked like the perfect signing for that holding midfield position, at Southampton he always looked cool and clam and was excellent at breaking play up and making the simple passes to set his team on the attack. For us he looks rash, his passing has been poor and in general his game has been anything but cool and calm.
Herrera, when on form has been the best of the bunch for me but is far too inconsistent. Just when you want him to take a game by the scruff of the neck he doesn't seem to be able to do it. Still the thing I like about him above the others is that win or lose he always looks like he's giving his all.
Carrick has had some good performances this season but is way too mistake prone, showing some serious lapses in concentration, particularly as the season has gone on. I feel a certain amount of sympathy for him as in my opinion he shouldn't be starting anywhere near as much as he is for us and is often the midfielder we're trying to rely on the most despite it being painstakingly obvious he can't produce as consistently as he has done in the past.
Then you've got the others who aren't out and out cm's or in Blind's case not yet. Fellaini has proved useful on occasion but for the majority of the time has been a big heap of steaming turd. Then again he has never been a central midfielder in my eyes.
Biggest thing about them all is that they all lack any character whatsoever. When we're on top in a game and dominating possession they all look brilliant but the moment the opposition makes life difficult for them they completely wilt and the opposition seems to bypass our midfield with complete ease. Where is the Scholes/Keane character who can take the game by the balls and drive us forward?
For me, what looked like a good midfield in September has turned into a weak, slow, soft and gutless bunch and even though part of the reason for that will inevitably lie at the door of the manager and his style of play these guys also have to look at themselves and up their own game dramatically.
Absolutely no doubt in my mind that we need further reinforcements in this area in the summer and have to let a couple go.
