It's arguably the most important position on the pitch but often one that goes un-noticed. Makalele for instance rarely gets plaudits but is always appreciated by managers. Wenger has stated many times that he thinks Scholes is the best English player of his generation. Iniesta is a fantastic player. Obviously Riquelme is another in that mould but is slightly different in that he can't tackle for toffee.
I guess it comes down to a choice. It seems in the past that this player would often be an athletic bruiser in the Keane and Viera mould, and it seems that this is the kind of player we have in that position, although obviously nowhere near their quality.
In recent years however there seems to be a trend for a deep lying play maker for whom everything goes through. I think of Riquelme, Pirlo, Fabregas, Scholes, Iniesta. I wouldn't personally put Barry in that class but he does a similar role. You don't need them to be flash harry's, they break up opposition moves and keep our possession moving. If you're stuck for options, they're your go to guy, always giving choices.
Obviously they're not easy to find but that's the nest piece in the jigsaw I think. At the moment we can fill those roles with two players, ie Carsley/Nev/Jags as the battler, Graveson as the playmaker but then what of Cahill? Choices, choices. If Moyes could unearth a battler who can pass like a demon then that would be ideal.
I guess it comes down to a choice. It seems in the past that this player would often be an athletic bruiser in the Keane and Viera mould, and it seems that this is the kind of player we have in that position, although obviously nowhere near their quality.
In recent years however there seems to be a trend for a deep lying play maker for whom everything goes through. I think of Riquelme, Pirlo, Fabregas, Scholes, Iniesta. I wouldn't personally put Barry in that class but he does a similar role. You don't need them to be flash harry's, they break up opposition moves and keep our possession moving. If you're stuck for options, they're your go to guy, always giving choices.
Obviously they're not easy to find but that's the nest piece in the jigsaw I think. At the moment we can fill those roles with two players, ie Carsley/Nev/Jags as the battler, Graveson as the playmaker but then what of Cahill? Choices, choices. If Moyes could unearth a battler who can pass like a demon then that would be ideal.
