Back when 4-4-2 was the way virtually every British club played the term DM was never spoken. The standard midfield pairing was a more combative tackler paired with a more cultured passer, that was it.
When we started bringing in continental formations and playing with a midfield diamond, the DM sat at the base and was not merely a tackler, he was an accurate passer of the ball - something that couldn't always be said for some of the midfield battlers that we had in the 4-4-2 days (when tackling was allowed ffs).
Now clubs generally play with 2 holding midfielders, they often make the mistake of having 2 defensive minded players in there, as opposed to having a more expanisve player next to a 'water carrier'.
Personally I'm not a massive fan of the system, as despite having 2 holding players, you can still be undone defensively when both your full backs are pushed on. The old skool way of full backs operating like a pair of mittens on a string is the way I like to see sides play i.e. if one pushes on the other stays at home.
no disrecpect to maschernao who was excellent while he was here and really allowed us to free gerrard.
thats how he liked his full backs.
