I'm not defending him by any means, he's clearly below level not only for us but for the league as well. It's clear he's really poor in most of the important aspects of the game.
I agree in theory a world-class striker with hold up skills would have help us yesterday, but the main issue was the midfield. Unless you want that striker going down midfield every single time to receive the ball and start playing there as if the midfield didn't exist.
We desperately need a striker but yesterday, and Fulham game, showed that without Casemiro and Eriksen our midfield is garbage. Low table quality as soon as high pressure is implemented it cuts our passing completely while we have Licha and Shaw who are really comfortable on the ball it's useless when having a below par midfield. Licha goes out playing and he has to go past the first line of pressure to try to find the attackers with a long pass because McTominay is marking himself.
See some plays and its McTominay clear as day McTominay is afraid he makes himself unavailable by actively going in opposition areas. See the first goal, Varane has the ball he's under pressure Dalot is not available and he can't pass to McTominay because he's marked as well, a freaking midfielder market ffs just move onto space. He's not even moving trying to make himself available he's jogging but in the same direction.
Neither Martial nor Benzema will go as deep to receive the ball, neither should they.
We need quality in midfield, it's the most important part of the team. Se all successful teams and the depth in quality they have. The fact that we have to play freaking McTominay after all these years shows how poor the squad still is.
You seem very local about McTominay. I am not disagree. I think McTominay is garbage and need selling. The issue here is the double standard
McTominay's performance in first half as no 10 is about the same as Weghorst as no 10 in many occasion. McTominay winning the ball lead to Weghorst wild shot. Some foul to break up play. Some link up, hold up play. McTominay even had some ball carrying action. Ultimately still shite first half. Moved to no 6, in second half, improved a bit in involvement but still garbage regardless.
Even if we agree that the game lost by the midfield battle, there is no hiding from the fact in previous seasons, without Casemiro, Eriksen, playing with the McFred midfield, the individual brilliance of our forwards can see us through these type of game. When Casimero and Eriksen were available, Weghorst was not exactly several level better. That Crystal Palace game at home where we played well, Weghorst was subbed off, so Rashford moved to no 9 position and scored the second goal.
There is no excuse for Weghorst who add a different kind of burden onto the team. He doesn't help as CF either with his pressing, pressure relieving with his movement, nor just being a goal threat. Martial cameo shows that just mere natural ability make a big difference. No need for all the complex football philosophy about team shape, off ball movement, pressing....
No top teams if they can can afford better back up midfielders than the like of McTominay would have someone like Weghorst as back up forward, let alone starting this many games. In another word, the standard needs to be consistently set across the board. Can't just point finger at a shite player in one position, when you excuse another one in different position.
Benzema, Martial type of forward dropped deep to receive the ball is not that uncommon. Someone like Kane since Mourinho time at Spurs made his name for being dual purpose with his playmaking role. Even if you don't like your CF to drop deep, there is no stopping you to play without a CF like Pep often seen doing in previous seasons. False 9, and a bunch of midfielders to win that midfield battle. We had Fred in the bench yesterday to play for a draw. No excuse about not having enough number for such tactic.
