zimgunner
04-16-2014, 01:27 PM
At the moment our side is set up as a front man with five midfielders behind him and a back four with roving wing backs.
One consequence of this is that midfielders must perform defensive duties -- particularly against counter-attacking teams, during the transition, while our wing backs are often up the pitch.
I think this is why we've had balance problems in some important games this season. Whenever we include in the starting lineup midfielders who can't really defend -- Ozil, Podolski, and Santi come to mind -- we are forced to also include at least one of our enforcers -- Flam or Arteta. This in turn means that we have to sacrifice other creative players -- Jack, Ramsey, Ox, Theo.
I know we need a truly top-draw striker and at least one more utility back (more than that if Sagna goes). But to my mind, our most important target should be a defensive midfielder who can dribble. Because that players would cover what now effectively amounts to two starting spots, which in turn would let us field a tastily potent attack.
Yes, this kind of midfielder is rare. But we should be looking for him.
One consequence of this is that midfielders must perform defensive duties -- particularly against counter-attacking teams, during the transition, while our wing backs are often up the pitch.
I think this is why we've had balance problems in some important games this season. Whenever we include in the starting lineup midfielders who can't really defend -- Ozil, Podolski, and Santi come to mind -- we are forced to also include at least one of our enforcers -- Flam or Arteta. This in turn means that we have to sacrifice other creative players -- Jack, Ramsey, Ox, Theo.
I know we need a truly top-draw striker and at least one more utility back (more than that if Sagna goes). But to my mind, our most important target should be a defensive midfielder who can dribble. Because that players would cover what now effectively amounts to two starting spots, which in turn would let us field a tastily potent attack.
Yes, this kind of midfielder is rare. But we should be looking for him.