Sure, its not a problem if they have amazing passing ability (Gerrard, Alonso) but when they are players with limited vision they need to take the ball forward from deep. As a result Cole had bearly any service and Babel was stranded.
Good things: Poulson looks like a sensible player when it comes to positioning, will do mascherano's job fine. Movement in the final third was good. Defence was pretty well organised. Even when playing

Bad things: Midfield had no creativity. Lucas has no confidence getting forward. Defenders had to resort to the hoof.
I think Roy realised at half time that we needed to open the game up. He seemed to have a bit of a plan B, something which Rafa never had.