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First off this isn't a reaction to yesterdays defeat, its something I've been thinking for a while, but I've read various foreign sides' forums (namely Barca, Milan and Inters) and they all think our midfield is horribly overated and I'm starting to agree.
We have enourmous depth, that much is obvious but we don't seem to have a 'special' CM.
Carrick is a very good player, however he does tend to get shown up when against top quaality technical opposition.
Scholes is the best passer we have, but physically he's on the decline. He can't compete when teams get physical and deny him space.
Hargreaves has yet to play well in the CM role.
Fletcher is a good player. Nothing more, nothing less.
Anderson at the moment is a good player, but he has some serious flaws. His passing is wayward and his off the ball movement is arguably the worst in our squad.
Compare this to other top clubs:
Barcelona have Xavi and Iniesta - 2 of the best player in the world.
Chelsea have Lampard and Essien.
Liverpool have Mascherano and Gerrard (albeit as DM and AM respectively)
All 6 of those players are world class.
This isn't a criticism of our team, as our recent record speaks for itslef, I'm just focusing one the CM position.
So, is the quality (not quantity) of our midfield overated?
We have enourmous depth, that much is obvious but we don't seem to have a 'special' CM.
Carrick is a very good player, however he does tend to get shown up when against top quaality technical opposition.
Scholes is the best passer we have, but physically he's on the decline. He can't compete when teams get physical and deny him space.
Hargreaves has yet to play well in the CM role.
Fletcher is a good player. Nothing more, nothing less.
Anderson at the moment is a good player, but he has some serious flaws. His passing is wayward and his off the ball movement is arguably the worst in our squad.
Compare this to other top clubs:
Barcelona have Xavi and Iniesta - 2 of the best player in the world.
Chelsea have Lampard and Essien.
Liverpool have Mascherano and Gerrard (albeit as DM and AM respectively)
All 6 of those players are world class.
This isn't a criticism of our team, as our recent record speaks for itslef, I'm just focusing one the CM position.
So, is the quality (not quantity) of our midfield overated?