Stat are you going through the male menopause perchance ? For the past few months you just come over all flustered and stuck in a downward spiral of footballing doubt. Kayal and Stephens seemed to have really gelled this season, but we do have three other good options. I feel confident that a match fit Crofts can pick up a few important goals coming on for the last 20 minutes with Bobby Z, once our core four have run the legs off the opposition. Unless we start picking up long term injuries, there is no need to panic.
Yes, but that's not the issue here.
I just think on the face of it we could be quite blase about the CM options.
But looking beyond the quantity and appearances the only man for man replacement is Crofts.
That's why in answer to the OP's claim 'I wouldn't have thought we need anymore midfielders' I think we very much do, primarily because Crofts , again sadly, can't be relied upon.
Crofts could easily cover either Kayal or Stephens he could also be the senior partner to Ince or JFC if the main 2 were both unavailable.