He needs to start selecting the proper midfield based on the game in question. Onana-Gana-Doucoure yesterday was a bad shout, particularly as both Gana & Doucoure barely have a creative bone in their bodies between them.
For me, as a starting point, we really should just be persisting with this back four for the foreseeable future:
Patterson - Tarkowski - Branthwaite - Mykolenko
I know there are people on here who don't rate Mykolenko or indeed Patterson.. but they are 24 & 21 years old respectively and need to be playing as much Premier League footy as possible whilst they're both fit. I'm already not a fan of him trying to shoehorn Young into the side just because he's 'experienced', also playing Garner at RB whilst Patterson is available just seems like a waste..
So that's the base to go from. Similarly - I think we should we playing Garner in midfield in every game regardless. At this point, he's better than Onana with his foot on the ball and certainly better than Doucoure. Either way, the Onana-Gana-Doucoure axis needs punting for good as the balance/chemistry in that particular setup just isn't there. For me (despite how disappointing Onana has been) it should always be one of Doucoure or Gana missing out in the starting lineup depending on the game. I think at this point I'd honestly see them both better suited as 70-75 minute subs depending on how that particular game is unfolding. Are we trying to manage a game in the late stages and need a bit of experience in defensive mid? Bring Gana on. Are we needing to go a bit more direct? Bring Doucoure on, who also is capable of goals:
- Onana ----------- Gana --
Garner
-or-
Garner ------------ Onana
Doucoure
I really think it's as simple as that yeno..
.