The Men in the Middle
IVE always believed balance is important to create a great football team.Too many players of the same sort in one area usually means the team wont gel
This is most obvious in midfield where particularly if you're playing just two central midfielders they should complement each other.
Id catagorize midfielders in three ways
THE BALL WINNER- Right from Nobby Stiles in the 1966 World Cup team a balanced side has needed a midfielder who wins the team possession and gives it to the other players to use. A legendary figure in Sky Blue colours was Lloyd McGrath who specialised in that art
THE PLAYMAKER- The midfielder with the ability to look up and hit a defence splitting pass over long distance. Glen Hoddle was a prime example. For City older fans will remember Steve Hunt's passing ability.Today Sammy Clingan is in the role
THE RUNNER/GOALSCORER-The midfield player who makes forward runs unsettling the defenders and scoring as regularly as a forward. Frank Lampard certainly fits the bill at Chelsea. City have rarely had a player like this in thier ranks
Most modern midfielders have one or two of these facets to thier game. Few have them all. Bryan Robson in his heydey comes to mind as one who did. Steven Gerrard comes pretty close today
In my opinion the jewel in City's midfield crown is still Aron Gunnarson. Bought as a ball winner to complement Beuzelins playmaker, in his first season we saw much more from him.
He's shown that he can carry the role of playmaker and is increasingly starring coming forward. the Icelander is far more than a long throw. If his poorer form this season indicates hes not happy at the club and may leave that would be a great shame
Im enjoying seeing him develop as a player
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