There was a tactical analysis of the way we play in the 3-4-2-1 floating around last week - I'll see if I can find it, but basically it apportions a good deal of credit for our solidity when using the system to the fact that we use Wanyama and Dembele as a double-pivot in central midfield. The sheer strength and size of those two, when allied with their surprisingly excellent ball retention skills, results in a great deal of freedom being afforded to our centre-backs to split and then push up into (and even ahead of) the midfield if necessary - because opponents trying to break into the central spaces or send long balls forward will be shut down with brutal ease nine times out of ten, whatever their technical level or innate physicality.
If that analysis is correct, then Winks is at a disadvantage when trying to replace Dembele in that role - because, although he's surprisingly physical, strong in the tackle and excellent with the ball at his feet, he isn't Dembele or Wanyama-level strong, or as proficient in the air as those two. That doesn't mean he's detrimental to our chances of success in any given situation, of course - just means we might have to adapt to having him in there, since he'll bring a different set of skills to the role.
