I can agree with all of that.
Pep is a genius we all agree on that also.
His philosophy of making the pitch as wide as possible works only when the players have the fitness and work levels to do it. At present it is not happening.
I would look at changing the roles of the wide men. Bernardo has the best work rate of any player I have seen, and i would like to see it more centrally, the same with Sterling , a more flexible role. We are still playing some incredible football, whatever you may read here, the issue is getting more players in a position closer to the goal. 4 or 5 players need to be in a dangerous position at the end of attacks to support the number 9.
Silva should be coming on for the last 20 mins, Kdb as you ascertain wider, with Bernardo inside. Bernado close to Rodri is my idea, picking up second balls, as he did against us playing for Monaco. Changing a system which has been so successful is not an easy decision. Foden could also add the energy.
I do think some of the criticism of our defence is wrong, for the reasons you outlined, the midfield legs, and I include Sterling, is not at the level we have been accustomed to.