I honestly think that the majority of the issue is with Frank’s selection and the way he’s been setting us up. It’s very clear that he feels we’re inferior to everyone and that is rubbing off on the players. He’s setting us up to sit behind the ball with the primary focus on plugging gaps and defending the box. Then hoping we either nick something à la DaSilva, from a set piece/long throw or a Rudi “moment”.
Of course we are going to create very little. He’s not playing any midfielders with any “craft” that’s why Grimes plays, it’s nothing to do with dictating play or his passing ability. Frank trusts him the most to essentially occupy threatening areas and block passing lanes. If he wanted goal threat and creativity at the expensive of some defensive work rate. He would play Torp/Hamer/Gboho/Tchaouna etc.
This isn’t intended as a post to dig out Grimes either. He was fantastic last season but he needs time to operate which is a luxury in the PL and he doesn’t have the physicality or ability to give himself that yard. It was very apparent in matches like Spurs. He was a boy chasing around a man in Tonali.
IMO, Frank needs to trust Onyeka in the 6 and rotate between Torp, Hamer and Rudi for the other 2 positions to give us craft. I’d also play Yirenkyi at RB (Milan is terrified). Give Gboho/EMC and Tats/Tchaouna freedom to express/get forward and actually give the opposition something to think about because at the moment BTA and Tats primary job is to help out the fullback and sit behind the ball, not provide attacking width.
Sorry for the essay.