Simba,

I am not suggesting he is doing it on his own accord – I don’t doubt Big Sam has instructed it, however it still does not make it right. No way a midfielder should be cramping the back four/defence in that way. You are limiting options, bringing the game deep in to your own half, taking another man out of the game by now having six players within 20yrds of the pitch. You also negating hugely the opportunity for (in this case) Noble to put his game on the pitch and affect the positive areas of the pitch. By Noble taking the ball so deep it then requires other players to come deeper and you end up with compression and the striker becomes even more isolated.