[WBA-Josh]

Josh, isn't 'a defensive midfield playmaker' a contradiction in terms ?  

I have always thought a 'playmaker' was defined as an attacking midfield role not defensive. Yacob is having an excellent season and is very good at stifling and breaking up opposition attacks although I do agree, he is limited in terms of passing and creativity. Fletcher is getting no younger and cover in the DM department is needed.

A playmaker doesn't always have to be an attaching midfielder. One of the best playmakers in the past couple of decades was Andrea Pirlo and he was a defensive midfielder who played in front of his defence as the deeper midfielder. He kept the play moving constantly and he always looked to get possession of the ball and create chances for his teammates from deep. He was very good at it because of his superb vision and footballing brain. That is what Schneiderlein does.