I must admit, I only agree partially with the OP.
We do pass back too much, but I cant place too much of the blame on some of the players listed. For me, our overall movement is poor, we are not moving the opposition around enough to create space in the midfield or out wide. Which leads to our back four and Allan etc passing between themselves or backwards. And when a little bit of space does open, the players looking to receive aren't composed enough or ready.
Allan and Davies for me, always try and look forward, much more so than Gomes who I found wanted to get rid of the ball quickly to Holgate a lot last night.
Look at Chelsea, players always on the move, very fluid in formation, the likes of a Havertz or a Mount roaming, dragging players around. Rest of midfield all very composed and agile on the ball.
Having said that, there are still some glaring weak links in the side, the biggest being Holgate for me playing right back. Super one footed and lacks composure severely, if put under pressure he is 90% likely to lose possession lately. Combine that with the terrible Iwobi infront of him and our right side is completely limp.
I like to think Carlo only plays the way we do because he is a pragmatic man, and knows our side isn't ready to go toe to toe yet with the higher quality sides.
We are definitely a few players AT LEAST off of Champions League standard. You only need to look at the benches of Chelsea etc and the subs they make to see the gulf in quality still.
Would be a miracle if Carlo managed 4th with these players.
As for pressing, we just don't have the players for it, you need the whole team working as a unit for it to work. No legs in Sigurdsson and Gomes etc. So easy to just play around our press for a team with great movement and fitness levels.