Yes, I’m knocked out by the brilliance of those key passes that brought all our chances from open play.
He’s steady on the ball. My point, and I’ve not touched on his defensive capabilities which aren’t great either, is that in my opinion he doesn’t move the ball quickly enough or through the lines effectively enough to get us moving forward. This is massively hampering our attack. In a team set up like ours it’s key to create 1v1s.
I think Gundogan should be given a go at 6. In the Olympiacos game, which I believe is the only time Rodri hasn’t played 6 this season, he moves the ball so much quicker to our players than Rodri ever could. He recycles it effectively too. We created chance after chance. The problem that happened in that game was like Leeds where Foden and Debruyne got carried away and were then both too far forward and we lost control of the game. Foden should play wide right for the time being but that’s another thing altogether.
The midfield isn’t working in an attacking sense given how few actual chances we’ve created, and defensively he isn’t ideal either besides his aerial ability. We’ll see what transpires and I hope he improves but he’s very average at the minute.
I like Gundogan at the 6 as well. I just think Rodri is an underrated passer of the ball.
Also, I think our problem is a team wide malaise rather than some individual fault that can be laid at the feet of any one or 2 players.
There are 2 problems, players not playing up to par individually and collectively and coaching (which shows itself in the cohesion if play) not being up to par both tactically and systemically.
We are slow and sluggish out of the back. Very often our 2 weakest ball players Walker and Dias seem to be the 2 on the ball most often and that doesn't aid creativity.
The slow buildups allow the opposition to get 10 men back in their half and keep things tight. The movement from our players isn't consistently active (other than Jesus and Torres) and even when active, isn't choreographed. It's as if the movement is a surprise to the passer or is often half assed.
Then we have players who have developed a terrible habit of wanting others to move but don't do so themselves (Sterling, Mahrez, Bernado, being the 3 worst of late) I exclude Rodri and Gundogan as they are DMs.
Sterling us especially dissapointing, seeing as constant movement and running at akward angles were his calling card the prior 3 years. Now he mostly relies on ball to feet, cut in and shoot. Which granted, he is good at but can't be your only tool. He only makes runs on obvious plays these days.
Anyway, let me not go on a team tangent on the Rodri thread. In so far as there are a myriad of problems ailing this team, Rodri's speed is very far down the list.
