It is possible that relying so much on him to win everything in midfield has allowed us to get by without actually being good at pressing as a team and that losing him will force us to fix that.
The alternative is it just doesn't get fixed and we concede at a Howeian rate.
I think we will be better, ive convinced myself of that, I suggest you do the same, reality may sting a little when it comes, but thats for the future.