wow, you got a lot of spare time
I never really thought of midfield as unimportant, but how can 2 guys score on 5 much better defenders and a world class keeper?
A magnificent Counter Attack *should* be better than a solid midfield IMHO.
I consistanly have the best defense, even when I play 3-5-2. Yet, I have been score upon more than most. That just doesn't happen in real life. Good defenses keep games close.