- Aug 30, 2010
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Yeah completely agree. I don't think it's a coincidence that our defensive solidity in the league tailed off right around the time we stopped playing with a DM. Dier probably isn't the answer long term and has a lot of flaws to his game, but I think we're crying out for someone in that position - either a proper destroyer who can just lay the ball to Ndombele/Winks, or someone more in the mould of Fernandinho or Rodri who is a big tough bastard that also knows how to play. Preferably the latter.
This season I think we'll have a lot of teething problems trying to balance the midfield, but at least in Ndombele and Lo Celso we have 2 players who are technically sound that also don't mind footing a foot in. As you said, hopefully a midfield 3 of them + Winks will give us just enough bite against attacking teams, while we can play a pivot against the more defensive ones.
If we could get Dier back to playing his DM/CB hybrid role I think it could be a big +, especially if Sessegnon gets a run at LB. Pushing the FBs up and having Ndombele and Lo Celso in the middle would be a pretty aggressive formation.