Lucas + Johnson - the axis of awful

[TSD]

The axis I'm concerned about is the Agger-Lucas-Gerrard one, and how one-paced they are as a central unit. Great when we're keeping possession, but can be troubled when under the cosh. It's a unit which necessitates Henderson's presence as the hunting dog of the pack. A more balanced central trio could allow Coutinho to slot in more effortlessly as the apex of a midfield three.

 

[Der Alte]

Get a few decent attackers in and all of our "defensive worries" will suddenly disappear.

I disagree. I think at the moment it's the midfield that is holding us back the most in attack.

 

[Der Alte]

The axis I'm concerned about is the Agger-Lucas-Gerrard one, and how one-paced they are as a central unit. Great when we're keeping possession, but can be troubled when under the cosh. It's a unit which necessitates Henderson's presence as the hunting dog of the pack. A more balanced central trio could allow Coutinho to slot in more effortlessly as the apex of a midfield three.

Yep. When we get under pressure all they are mostly able to do well is sit deep and keep the enemy at bay. They do a decent job stopping the opposition but there's zero support for our attackers left which results in disorganized attacks and cheap losses of possession. Villa was just a tip of the iceberg, we had similar problems loads of times last season too.