The Defensive Midfielder Position

[Tom in Fairfield CT]

I read a lot about the DM position here and on other soccer sites, and would love to get a discussion going on the position. Specifically related to Poku and by extension Pirlo. The consensus as to why these guys cannot play DM is because they don't have the speed or tackling ability to snuff out attacks through the middle. Picture Jermaine Jones when he actually committed to playing DM. My contention is that this style of play from your DM is not necessary, and that possession and distribution are the most important elements.

The DM is the point man if you are going to run any attack through the middle. He needs to gather the ball when the defense forces a turnover, hold it long enough to get the attackers into position and distribute the first ball accurately. I think this is why we can't get anything going other than long balls (our wide play dies at out fullbacks feet, but that's another thread,) since Jacobson is not strong in possession and turns the ball over regularly. Poku (or Pirlo, although I don't think that is happening) is a perfect fit for Kreis' Beckerman role since he is strong on the ball (he can beat two tacklers more often than not) and has shown the ability to make a strong, accurate pass (RJ Allen's assist et al). He is also faster than Jacobson.

Watch Beckerman last night, he doesn't play as a destroyer, maniacally breaking up opposing chances. He waits in the right position until he can steal a pass, then he calmly holds it so we can shift to offense. No fuss no muss.

 

[Keith Putnam]

Personally I feel like any defensive midfielder should ideally be a "ball-winning" midfielder whose main defensive job is to dispossess any attacker trying to dribble through the midfield and/or intercept passes in that area (let the wingbacks or fullbacks handle attacks down the wings, mostly). In that role, yes, they then become the first person to create attacking movement in the other direction. So they need great vision and pass technique, and ideally are sizable enough to be a hold-up person or dribble back through to the offensive half, fighting off both dispossessed attackers and the opposing DMs.

It's a demanding role that requires a wide variety of skills and physical gifts, so it's unsurprising that a great DM can really change things for a team.

Regarding Beckerman vs. the Netherlands, I felt he was forced to play deeper than he should have to, and as a result a whole lot of his huge contributions were as "stopper of last resort", deflecting shots on goal or key passes into the box. He had to, or found himself, backstopping our CBs more than he should have had to, IMO.

 

[FootyLovin]

Skills of DM (in no particular order):
* Speed. To track back on D.
* Positioning on D. To break up opponents' offensive flow by being in place to either steal their desired pass or eliminate that pass as an option.
* Physicality. Aggression and strength to tackle, tackle, tackle.
* Positioning on O. To receive ball in transition from D to O both quickly and in quality space to move the ball quickly forward.
* Vision. See passing options both short and long.
* Passing accuracy. Place passes both short and long.
* Dribbling. Move forward with ball and protect possession when challenged.

Where does that leave us with Poku/AJ/Pirlo?

Poku: Physicality, Positioning on O, Dribbling
AJ: Speed (or desire), not sure what else
Pirlo: Positioning on D, Positioning on O, Vision, Passing Accuracy, Dribbling

 

[thesauerchise]

The DM needs to read the play in front and behind him, to allow perfect positioning to break up attacks. To meet is about preventing the easy pass, disrupting the offensive flow and then, if possession is gained, being able to transition to your own attack.

Ozzie Alonso is the best at this in MLS. I think what Jacobson did Saturday was a more than worthy replica. He was not overly aggressive, instead waiting out the passes and getting in the way. While he is not great in possession he played the simple ball to the other midfielders and even brought it out himself a few times. He plays like that they will be fine.

The deal with Pirlo is you need to keep defenders off him, to allow him time and space. Juve has a great midfield setup for that, and I think NYCFc could replicate it decently.

Poku is physical but positionally in defense he is an unknown. Plus his strength is his aggressive runs, which a DM can't afford to do often.

 

[Vito]

When I think of what a strong DM can do to a team I look and Chelsea and Matic. He plays in a very deep role right in front of Cahill and Terry and is very aggressive. He's a very big guy that has decent pace and he can pass very well. He's also strong on the offensive side of the ball. We need someone similar that will take some pressure off of our back line and not give the ball right to the opposing team in our half most of the time.

 

[joe]

I think Poku will be a great DM when his distribution improves, which is a matter of time more than ability.

Co-sign thesauerchise on Jacobson and Pirlo.

 

[gbservis]

When I think of what a strong DM can do to a team I look and Chelsea and Matic. He plays in a very deep role right in front of Cahill and Terry and is very aggressive. He's a very big guy that has decent pace and he can pass very well. He's also strong on the offensive side of the ball. We need someone similar that will take some pressure off of our back line and not give the ball right to the opposing team in our half most of the time.

I agree, I think Matic is the best DM in the PL right now. Problem for me is that Chelsea plays a very conservative defensive minded game. He sits so deep because they dont care if they win 1-0 every game. As I have said before I don't think you need to play such a defensive game in MLS to win. Even though he is a different type of player I think Pirlo would be fine at the bottom of the diamond. He has the vision and understanding of the game to break up plays with interceptions. Having him deep will put pressure on the LCM and RCM to help cover and pick up some of the tackling duties but I think we have the players who can fit those roles. Mix tracks back well and he said one of the reasons he came to MLS was because its a more physical league and thats something he wants to work on. Poku can play the LCM role if he commits to tracking back with the same effort he puts forth going forward.

Right now Poku plays the game like a CAM but everyone focuses on his potential for be a box to box CM or even a DM. Part of it comes from the fact that he has the size and the speed to pull it off. But I think alot of it comes from the Yaya comparisons. Sometimes I wonder if their hadn't been all the Yaya talk upon Pokus arrival if we would all just see him as an exciting CAM prospect based on his play. Seems a bit unfair, maybe the guy wants to be CAM, he certainly plays like it most of the time. Playing the LCM spot with Pirlo at the back may be a nice compromise for Poku. I can't see him playing the deep role, it would be a total waste of those amazing attacking runs.