"desperate" to get on the ball ?? think thats a bit OTT ! a midfielder who is desperate to get on the ball DEMANDS the ball off everyone - a la Gerrard -- not havin a go at Ya ya but i have never seen him him "desperate" to get on the ball in those terms . he is effective when the mood takes but he is no "demanding" player of others - or a "bosser" of midfield who takes a game by scruff of neck. that dont make him a bad player but dont make him into something he aint -- or indeed something i feel we need -- a demanding midfield boss.