I agree to some extent, Bruno has too many imperfections that will unhinge the team in the higher tier competitions. People can use Arsenal as an example (of a team punching above their weight quality wise) but they have been the best performing team this season bar none. Whenever you observe Bruno over the 90 mins he is often a hindrance to turning over possession and lacking the correct judgement. For a possession orientated manager he's a liability. There's no denying his qualities as a player but he's not polished enough in the phases of play.
The difference with turning over possession against a Leicester or West Ham is they won't necessarily punish you for it but against a Bayern, City or Madrid that is a 15 minute period of not having the ball coming under immediate pressure which can change the dynamic of the game. Those are the types of contributions Bruno has within himself and if he doesn't score and assist to make up for it, it's too much of a sacrifice. So there's a ceiling to this teams performances with him in the squad.
I said it in his performance thread.
He is the Maguire of our midfield.
He looks like he does good job against average teams but when it comes to the highest quality football games, Bruno is one big liability.
This Liverpool game just magnifies this problem which has existed for a long time, and people raise this issue for a reason. ten Hag picked him because there was no better candidate, it doesn't mean we have to stick with him forever.
And because benching Sancho & Garnacho is easier than benching Bruno.
Ten Hag is really confused on where to play him, he will try him as false 9, it fails, then he will let him go.
If Wout can take his number that easily then we need to find a 24 year old 'Odergaard' and replace him in the summer.
All the hammerings we have received since 2020, have been attributed to open midfield. We've tried to sort the midfield issue with Casemiro, Eriksen but still deficiency persist.
How can you be giving out 7-10 clear cut chances to City/Liverpool/Arsenal teams?
All this goals 90% are scored inside our box meaning we've been wide opened.
Funny thing is us, we don't open teams that way, even 'poor teams'
Ten Hag has scored only 4 goals in one match, against Villa.
We struggle to score more goals but we are extremely fragile to concede more goals.
All this is brought by having a weak midfield.
Look at our away record, we can't hold a game in better teams away from home. Why playing midfield 2.
Ten Hag can try all the magic he needs but until he disposes Bruno and we revert back to 433 we will never win big titles, as we can't win big away matches.