While we've clearly improved the spine of the team, the problem is that the offensive system has been built around a classic number 9 style of play. But because we're not playing with a traditional number 10, that means the creative spark has to come from out wide - the wingers and fullbacks. Problem is all of our wingers and fullbacks currently playing are really, really crap at creating anything. So we don't score.
It feels to me like we have two options here:
1) Try to survive until January and then go all out for at least one (better two) top-quality wingers that can actually create something. (Gakpo, Mudryk, ???)
2) Change the system entirely.
As for option 2, I'd really like to see us try something like this:
Calvert-Lewin Maupay (could replace Maupay with Gordon if the coaches think he absolutely must be on the pitch)
Iwobi
Onana Garner
Gana
Vinagre Tarkowski Coady Patterson (when healthy, obviously)
Just ditch the wingers altogether and hope that Vinagre and Patterson can at least put in some crosses from out wide (unlike Mykolenko and Coleman). Let Iwobi / Garner do some creating from the middle, with Onana crashing the box with late runs as well. Garner and Onana should have the legs to help provide a bit of extra defensive help out wide when the fullbacks push forward.
I mean, it can't be worse, right?
