Soft middle

It was obvious against City that the players we have, Winks and Skipp who partner Sissoko in the midfield do not look to go forward and do not even attempt to pass forward.


They are very defensive. They also lack the nounce and the experience. Against smaller clubs they are fine, but against the big sides, our midfield gets chocked to death and City wiped the flour in the middle.
We genuinely gave the reins to City.

We genuinely lack a player who can be the link between defensive and attacking players. Someone who will help Eriksen up front, by providing the ball.
Eriksen had to go deep looking for the ball, both against Villa and City. This is frustrating for the manager, as it makes Eriksen less efficient.

Lo Celso, it transpires is a link-up midfield player and this is his strength.

He is there to help the front players in attack, by getting the ball to Eriksen, Kane, Son and whoever is up front.

We have either defensive midfielders or attacking ones, no one with the ability to feed to the front players with the ball.

Now Lo Celso is that man. The city disaster in the midfield cannot be repeated, and hopefully Ndombele will be the wily midfielder we need who will not just crash against better oppositions

Our midfield has gone too soft with too many players who lack guile and strength. Moussa Dembele left a huge gap in there.

Can't wait for the combo of a fit again Ndombele and Lo Celso to start directing that midfield and give it some solidity.

Must add this is not a criticism of anyone. We have gone soft in the middle and we were very fortunate to get anything from City as our midfield got bullied by theirs.

I am hoping the new players, Ndombele and Lo Celso will add steel and provide linkup to front players.

When are they going to be playing together? Surely in the NLD next week?