Schizophrenia in Midfield

For the last couple of months there has been discussion about our lack of creativity in midfield and the need to remedy this in the January window - supported by myself, I hasten to add. However I’m now about to do a U-turn and suggest that our greater need is for a defensive midfielder (or two).

First some statistics which are, per game:

No. of shots conceded 15.8
Tackles made 17
Interceptions made 19.5


The last is by far the best in the premiership and is thanks mainly to two players, Hughes and Sidwell. The other two stats are the worst (excepting Reading) in the premiership. Collectively they give a clear picture of our defensive frailties; even the commendable high number of interceptions suggests that our defence is being breeched too frequently.

The symptoms (cause and effect) is also clear. We play too deep allowing players to come on to us, rather than close them down early, and when they do we back off rather than tackle.

The outcome is that we cannot properly dominate (control) games and any offensive football we do have comes in stutters. To become effective we need to build from a solid platform in front of our back four. I know this is kind of obvious but the truth is that at the moment it doesn’t exist. Our midfield players are currently schizophrenic; unsure of their role and in trying to both offensive and defensive they tend to be neither. A real example of the outcome is the number of times Hangeland has had to come forward out of the penalty area to try and cover/meet an opposing player and the consequence has been those disturbing statistics.

So I’d now argue that we need to invest in defensive midfielders, not attacking ones.


Footnote : The source of the stats is in this link (via PL Team Statistics/Defensive) -

http://www.whoscored.com/Regions/252/Tournaments/2/Seasons/3389/Stages/6531/TeamStatistics/England-Premier-League-2012-2013

 

I think what we've all been wanting is a replacement for Dembele, who dictated play through the middle and allowed his partner in the centre to protect the back four. Like you say C58, on reflection we have plenty of creativity on the wings and in Ruiz and Berbs, but we need that composure in the middle. Sidwell, for all his piss and vinegar (and goals, to be fair) doesn't play the 'metronome' role and doesn't have that vision. Baird is the same. Diarra can do it but he's been short on form and fitness for a long time. Hopefully players like Boateng and/or Huddlestone can give us what we need. If we sign both I think we'd do well, as Huddlestone has an eye for a pass and can play the deep-lying role, as far as I know.

 

I'd say we aren't in as desperate need for a DM as we are for am CAM because Diarra is to come back from injury, but who do we have coming back who can play an attacking role? We have Sidwell/Diarra/Karagounis/Baird all of whom are defensive midfielders at best. The fact that we haven't done so well in tackles made is a result of their poor form/fitness. Does that mean we need to go replacing them though?

Saying that, I'd be pleased with either Huddlestone or Boateng.

 

I'm not saying you're wrong, Bandit, but if we were to bring in a central attacking midfielder, where do you think they would play? The way I'm thinking, Ruiz has that role. I think we're playing a 4-2-3-1, with Ruiz and the wings making the three and Sidwell/Diarra/Karagounis/Baird making the two deeper-lying midfielders. We could do with backup for Ruiz, but I think the positions that need filling are the two deep roles. Is that where you're talking about? If so I think we're on the right page. We need one of those to protect the back four and the other to start moves, dictate play, etc.

 

I think part of the reason we are so deep is Ruiz and Berbatov together up front. On and off the ball it in possession they are good, but in terms of winning the ball back or pressuring defenders there is a vast difference between them and players like Tevez, Long or Defoe. Because the opposition can advance a few yards without the pressure our midfield two get left in no-mans land, where they either abandon the player they are on and move forward or stick with him and let the ball-player continue forward.

If Boateng does actually join then I think we will be set for DM's until the summer. Sidwell, and Karagounis have done quite well but we need an additional midfielder to provide some control and creativity and stop both Berbatov and Ruiz dropping deep to get the ball.

It's depressing to think we went from starting Diarra & Dembele to Sidwell & Karagounis within 3 months.

 

Diarra was awful this year, maybe due to injury or lack of form. No impact what so ever.

Karagounis is not a defensive midfielder but needs the rest of the midfield to mark as well.

Our wingers are very poor at intercepting. Both Kaca and Dejagah are not good at regaining the ball. Hardly any tackles that we were used with Davies.