We still sport one of the major issues the midfield had before last summer which is that it doesn't create enough for the guys up front. Our most creative midfielder is still our right-back. Yesterday, against United, was a prime example of this. The only moments you felt something might happen was when TAA had the ball.
Now I understand that Mac is out, and Szobo's form fell off a cliff, but still. This has been an issue for us for at least a month now. Go back and watch some of our recent games. Unless someone is coming up with a brilliant individual piece of play then it seems we are stuck wasting our possession. Think Elliott against Palace, the four goals against Fulham, the two goals v Sheffield (a corner and a that Szoboszlai goal).
Is it a tactical problem or just the midfield underperforming in that area because of various players forms? Or a mix of both? Anyway, its pretty frustrating watching Salah having to drop deep to trying and create something and its always indicative of problems for us (there was plenty of that last season).
This ongoing problem is also why I tend to think that moving TAA to RCM wouldn't be the worst idea ever. I don't care about his crosses from next to the touchline, most of them already come from that area near the half space which a role as an RCM wouldn't necessarily deprive him of. It also wouldn't stop him from drifting wide when he needs to. Playing him at RCM would have him involved a bit more centrally which in my opinion is where he is at his best. Good shot, good link up play, creative in lots of space but also in tighter ones right in front of the box. Anyway, I know lots of people don't like this idea, but I think that had TAA been playing for Guardiola or a number of other managers, he'd have been an RCM for a couple of seasons now.
Logged