Midfielders

Firstly let me say - delighted to win the cup,and credit to Cardiff for making it a real tough game.

Now onto my post. Our midfield presented problems today. Many are quick to point the finger at Carroll and Suarez and while I also thunk they could do better with the ball I don't think our lack of productivity up front is entirely their fault. Gerrard and Adam looked lost in a four man midfield and cannot play it. They both tried to play the same role, and as a result we lacked balance. When we got forward Suarez and Carroll have little support centrally, when the crosses are played in it's often only Carroll trying to get on it, with two or three defenders dealing with it as well. The odds are stacked against him, similarly Suarez tries to take on a player or two, beats them and has few other attacking options and runs into trouble. We lack midfielders that get toward and support the attackers. To provide, if nothing else, a distraction and occupy a defender as well as another out ball. Meireles provided this last season and maybe longer term and with better confidence Henderson will as well. But in a four man midfield Gerrard and Adam do not.

On the flip side neither player is a natural DM, and although Cardiff rarely pressed when they did that gap in the centre was frequently exposed and against better sides will be punished.

We need to adapt the formation with three in the middle and two 'wide forwards' either side of Carroll in my opinion.