This season we don't. But when we had morgan he and wanyama started most games. IMO Holding midfielders are not just there as defence they help control the midfield. Hence why we have lost control of midfield since morgan left.
I think Schneiderlin is more than just a defensive midfielder though and that is why he was so valuable. He had great defensive starts, however he also had other qualities, it is difficult to attain such midfielders.
Absolutely. OK I'll adjust my statement; Last seaosn we played with 1.5 defensive mids as scheiderlin brought mcuh to the midfield. My point really was that JWP/Classie/Davis/Reed et al are not as good defensively as morgan and leave Vic and the defence exposed at times. From what I have seen Romeu offers more bite (although a card magnet) and he would be my preference to start alongside vic. I don't personally feel this is negative- with mane, tadic, pelle and davis we have a great front 4.
I just don't feel Romeu inspires Koeman, he is rash and undisciplined. Either he has not been good enough or he is taking time to adjust, shame really.
Koeman: "The balance at the moment between attacking and defending is poor, really poor. "Maybe we have to change the system, maybe we have to play more defensively."
Clasie dropped then as expected. Will be interesting to see who plays DM out of Davis or JWP or if it is a formation change to 4-3-3 or 4-1-4-1
But that is how we started the season and could not open teams up. I think the lack of width has killed us in recent games.
Maybe. I agree with the rash and undisciplined, should be able to train that out. Only time would tell if he is good enough. When we were getting pasted (Everton?) he came on at half time and the midfield looked more assured.
I do also think it's curious that Reed has fallen completely out of favour for the DM position despite the fact he played very well when given chances. He's looked a great ball winner whenever he's played.
And yes. Schneiderlin is a ball winner and deep lying playmaker rolled into one. He also has height. Very rare.
Yes, we don't want another game where we should have won but couldn't take our chances . Come on Saints, a nice early goal would be fab!
He has been playing what's quite clearly technically a holding midfielder in the double pivot in 4-2-3-1 next to Wanyama. He is a DM, can also play CM. Just because he's small doesn't mean he's not one... It's not a coincidence that just from a quick look the likes of transfermarkt, whoscored, goal, football manager, fifa, squawka, fourfourtwo, football oranje, soccerwiki all back me up on this. It's blatantly obvious he's been playing a DM role if you understand tactics and formations. There are different types of DM's. He's still been playing the position. The DM role he plays is a deep lying playmaker that presses when he can and still does his best to win the ball back. Wanyama is a physical ball winner type that's great in the air.
