Game time is the best way to get minutes, I guess it all boils down to if MR wants to go for a cup run, or happy to give fringe players some minutes. Given the quality of our fringe players, I would prefer MR to give them game time where we can. Given the form of our starting league team, I'd prefer to not disrupt that and give them minutes at other opportunites.
The trouble was that MR was playing Andreu as a ST early in the season, I think we can both agree that this is not his position. From his combined game time, before his injury included. He absolutely does have a great range of passing. Look at the
EFL Analytics post as an example. Yes early season a lot of things didn't come off, but the squad as a whole everything didn't come off. Our progression in recent games is the fact, on the whole MR has stuck with a squad and allowed them to gel. I don't think he will ever have the quality to replace Bayliss, but it is clear to see that when he isn't playing we lose a lot of creativity, and Chaplin has to drop a lot deeper to compensate. Meerly considering our current crop and considering who could fill that void.