We could counter attack well due to Hayes and McGinn but also the likes of McLean who was the only one in team who could lift his head and pick a 30-40 yard switch or angled ball from deep. We don't have this now in our midfield - instead it's hit and hope punts forward and into corners, and hoping GMS or McGinn make something from nothing.
You can't constantly offload good players and then have bad transfer windows and then expect to compete for honours.