When we lose or are overpowered in possession we blame it on a weak midfield or the legendary Scapegoat, Carrick. However I offer a different view to the situation. SAF and Phelan don't give a **** about pressing the opponents. Instead we form two lines of 4 in front of the goalie whenever we don't have possession. We are not pressing as a unit instead we seem to "conserve" energy by allowing the opponents to press and attack our 8-2 formation(this is when the opponents have the ball) until we somehow regain possession and counter-attack (or simply slow down the game with back passes to Ferdinand or De Gea) and hence to the viewer we look like a weak unit with no midfield. Firstly when we play 4-4-2 the wingers are not helping press the midfield. instead they focus on protecting the left back and right back, Evra and Rafael. That leaves Carrick and the other guy trying to gain possession from an opponent's midfield, usually three men when they are only 2. At the same time these 2 are expected to create when we have possession. This works but barely. Barcelona and the scousers have a midfield quartet who press as a unit and regardless of the formation in use, our midfield must be instructed and taught how to press high against the opponents. Otherwise it's just Carrick/Fletcher running like a headless chicken trying to regain possession. This is just me but what do you fellows think? Phelan is good but I feel we need a better coach for the midfield in regards to defensive duties.
Well I think thats part of it, but I also don't think we have the players that can both press when we don't have the ball and when we do have the ball, dictate the tempo of the game. I'd say we have 2 players who can play the pressing game: Fletcher and Jones, but neither of them are going to be great passing the ball. We have 4 players who can play the passing game, but would struggle to play the pressing game: Carrick, Cleverly, Scholes, and Anderson. Now I think Anderson could do both, but can he last 90 minutes now? Let alone if he had to work much harder than he's required to now. I dont think Phelan is a terrible coach, but there's better out there.
I don't think its a tactics thing. We don't see Fletcher playing in the position Carrick does, nor when Ando/Cleverly started did we have these tactical problems (we had a whole different bunch) 1) Carrick can't tackle. He drops right in front of the cb's and tries to block passing through the middle. Which is fine when you have everyone back, but when it's him and the defenders he needs to be snuffing out attacks instead of backing up to the 18 yard line giving the opposition space and time to pass the ball around. Especially when he's isolated from the rest of the midfield. 2) He needs too much time on the ball and when pressed gives away possession. Because of where he plays, (deeper than his parter) when he gives it away he's isolated and its usually very dangerous. Ive said before Carrick doesn't work in a 442, he needs two other guys in the center to help him out.
Of late I am happy with Carrick. The midfield needs a boost but Carrick is doing his job of possession and attacking passes perfectly. Hope he takes matters more into his hands by playing more attacking passes.
I am happy Carrick is getting his stuff spot on this season. If Wanyama comes this summer, it will allow Carrick more freedom to venture forward and fully shine. In a way he is our cross between Busquets and Xavi.
