Really need to sign some stronger personalities and some pace and aggression in midfield.
We're far too soft and too slow. We need some proper dickheads in the team that will not meekly give up if we concede a goal.
Character is key. People like Rodri and Gundo are so passive it's crazy. In other teams I think they'd be fine. But we lack mentality, and it's infuriating that we've got passive DM's, because that position that offers the most opportunity to influence the entire team.
Sterling's confidence is brittle, and without it, he's a bit of a mess. Walker's still a rash kid, a hulking blunderbuss, he's not got the influential thing. Mendy is the same. Stones has folded so many times.
Foden is 20. Gabby is a trier who gets slated too easily because we rely on him too much for goals. Aguero's head used to go down, and he'll always be a selfish striker, but he's improved.
Bernado does as much to influence and lead as I can imagine is possible for him. KDB is a bit on the petulant side. Ederson is a bold character who has gone a bit quiet after too many big errors. Our real leader, the one who does the most to make the collective mind calm, aware, determined and confident... remains Fernandinho.
Honestly, I think today was as bad as it gets, and it wasn't even the mindset that's wholly to blame, so I'm not saying anything I've not thought for a few years. And Diaz is hopefully a step in the right direction.
But ....as much as I am loath to say we should let Pep and co load us up with mega-expensive 29 y/o plus players... as keen as I am for us to buy young and bring through our own players... I can certainly see a strong case for Koulibaly, and looking again at people like Sandro, on the basis of their experience and character. And Messi makes the most sense when looked at from that point of view.
