this has been the way for years , we go through cycles without achieving much and chop players hoping for something better.
I've seen Armstrong, Christie and macgregor do enough in the past to think they've got something. if we had a Luke macmodric or a bale, kane etc, it would make these guys play much better .The others, you mentioned, I agree can step back
You cant underestimate the importance of having special players when you step up a level