Our midfield - no strength in depth

With the news that Matic is an injury doubt for the Arsenal game, the paucity of quality options rears its head once more.

Can't be right that if one of Matic or Pogba are injured, we turn to incrediAIDS.

Herrera - lost it, and not a natural DM anyway.

Carrick, virtually dead.

Fellaini, incapable.

Am I missing anyone? Is this it?

The Scottish Player

Originally Posted by andyroo

The Scottish Player

Oh.

Typical Mourinho, not spotting that one of his midfielders had heart arrhythmia

Originally Posted by Switching Off

Typical Mourinho, not spotting that one of his midfielders had heart arrhythmia

Probably caused it.

Originally Posted by Sapien

Probably caused it.

and no, we still need at least 1 more world class midfielder... the one we've needed for about the last decade.

Originally Posted by Sapien

Probably caused it.

Herrera should be our more-than-capable back up.

Instead, he's playing like an absolute Turd.

If Matic isn't there tomorrow, we aren't winning.

What happens if City lose Fernandinho, Toure, whoever the £#%&! they rely on?

Is it just how Mourinho sets us up?

If we manage to perform with Pogba in and Matic out it will be somewhat encouraging...

Originally Posted by Billy Redface

Herrera should be our more-than-capable back up.

Instead, he's playing like an absolute Turd.

If Matic isn't there tomorrow, we aren't winning.

He is, but as a slightly limited player, he has done better when playing in the more limited role of defensive midfield. He had a good season last year. I think he's the obvious choice, even if he is in bad form. It's the perfect opportunity for him to change that.

Originally Posted by goldfinger II

It's the perfect opportunity for him to change that.

spoiler alert

he wont. he's shite

Originally Posted by waynes ear's

spoiler alert

he wont. he's shite

Aren't they all?

herrera on top form is not a replacement for matic. nor is fellaini. because they simply aren't defensive midfielders. carrick and valencia, with pogba, would be fine. tuanzers can play rb.

Originally Posted by jem

herrera on top form is not a replacement for matic. nor is fellaini. because they simply aren't defensive midfielders. carrick and valencia, with pogba, would be fine. tuanzers can play rb.

Correct about Herrera but what he can do is man mark someone. Putting on Ozil is an option if we think Ozil is a threat.

Originally Posted by flixton

Correct about Herrera but what he can do is man mark someone. Putting on Ozil is an option if we think Ozil is a threat.

possibly, but then he's no more a dm than paul parker.

i guess we can look forward to Herrera and Pogba just waving Arsenal players through on goal like they did at Watford on Tuesday.

Originally Posted by jem

herrera on top form is not a replacement for matic. nor is fellaini. because they simply aren't defensive midfielders.

As mentioned in the op.

What's annoying though is that we seem to go to pot if one of 2 midfielders isn't playing. That can't be right.

Either the team is unbalanced - which Mourinho should be able to solve by altering our approach - or it's a lack of quality personnel; which will have to be solved in the summer, unless we can snag a defensive mid backup in January.

So that's two full backs, a number 10, a wide player and at least one centre midfielder we need to buy or develop. Possibly.

Originally Posted by Cream

As mentioned in the op.

What's annoying though is that we seem to go to pot if one of 2 midfielders isn't playing. That can't be right.

Either the team is unbalanced - which Mourinho should be able to solve by altering our approach - or it's a lack of quality personnel; which will have to be solved in the summer, unless we can snag a defensive mid backup in January.

So that's two full backs, a number 10, a wide player and at least one centre midfielder we need to buy or develop. Possibly.

We're not the finished article mate, that's why. We don't have the bottomless pit of cash required to fix all our squad's problems in 2 transfer windows.

mourinho hasn't picked a balanced team yet.

Originally Posted by Sparky***

We're not the finished article mate, that's why. We don't have the bottomless pit of cash required to fix all our squad's problems in 2 transfer windows.

Completely agree and that's precisely why we shouldn't be judging him too harshly.

Read something about Mendy being injured for City. Forgot they'd even signed him.

Originally Posted by jem

mourinho hasn't picked a balanced team yet.

If he picked Valencia to play in midfield tomorrow and put De Gea up front you'd still give him full marks.

One as likely as the other btw.