I'm not too sure it's the players. They have definite moments when they show a bit of something. And the reason I don't think it's the players is that players won't naturally stand that far ahead of the attack. Any footballer with a modicum of talent is going to make a run to take the ball. They want to have the ball.
But they're not playing counter-attacking football, as they're too slow in getting the ball forward, and they're not even playing basic "lump it forward" ball because they are taking touches in midfield, the few players who are there at least out wide (and often on their own.) It just all looks so confused.
Get some of the defenders playing a bit more of the ball, have someone playing hard in midield in offering options, and have the attack making runs. It's basic stuff, but they're not doing it. And I'd wager any player with an ounce of talent would want to be on the ball in that way anyway.
