You suggested Sands over Ring. Maxi/Parks/Ring allows for a fluid group of midfielders where any of them have the ability to go forward. Maxi/Parks/Sands doesn't allow that and makes the buildup that much more predictable and defensible. I extrapolated what was possible as a second dimension of tactics with another forward-pushing midfielder, because in a one-2-one comparison as a DMid it's not even close.
As the Stay-at-home-6..... Ring is a better tackler, has more experience, more leadership since he's the captain, a bigger engine with faster speed - most games when Sands has had to run he looks completely gassed towards the end, and has been the best DMid in the league for the last few years. I like Sands and think he has a big future, but he's not at a place when he's gonna displace Alex Ring.
