Fair enough. I wouldn't want to single him out as even not playing as well as previously, he's still one of our best players. I don't have the technology but I'd love to see the stats on his pass completion rate, time on the ball, interceptions made etc. for let's say the first 15 games compared to the last 8. If they're similar I'll bow to your greater knowledge and admit I'm silly!
With a back four and two wingers he has four wide players to ping balls to. In the 352 he only has 2 - who're usually outnumbered on the flanks and marked - so has to play more short passes with the defence. Huddlestone is bound to look less effective in this setup because he has less opportunities to carve out chances.
I'd like to see Thudd play with a proper DMC in the team. Someone like Jedinak or Bridcutt. Would push him Twenty yards further up the pitch
Interesting thought... I've always felt he does better with 3 in midfield as he can work triangles better and plays better when he's taking a lot of the ball from the centre backs. Often, the triangles don't amount to much and I wonder with our new found pace up front (Long), if Huddlestone pushed up may be he would see less of the ball but make more cutting passes... But personally, I think if you're talking about playing Huddlestone not in a 3 central midfield or alongside a DMC, I think a 4-2 (Huddlestone & DMC)-3-1 would be a better option than 4-4-2 with a DMC.
