For a long time, at least in the Christian circles, faith without action has always been considered dead. Borrowing from that Biblical teaching, the most decorated club in the country – Gor Mahia – seem to be dying without their ‘pope’ – Alpha Onyango.For the first time this season, the record Kenyan champions have gone for six straight games without collecting even a single win. Since the 20th of June, Gor have only managed three points out of the available 18, results that have seen the defending champions slip from third position on the log up to a current eighth position on 40 points, fifteen behind log leading Tusker.⚽️|One of K’Ogalo’s revelations this season, Alpha Onyango, could miss the club’s biggest fixture of the year#Sirkal #GorMahia #Ingwe #MashemejiDerby https://t.co/tdN1eaopst— Mozzart Sport Kenya (@MozzartSportKe) July 1, 2021 One glaring coincidence that has happened since K’Ogalo winless run happens to be the absence of midfield revelation Alpha Onyango who has not featured since going down injured after just ten minutes in the 0-0 draw against Wazito at Thika Stadium that kick-started this worrying run.This episode of the Breakdown tries to go beyond the picture and analyze why the club has been struggling so much in the absence of Alpha, who only burst onto the scene this season, and why he has become such a crucial cog in Gor’s midfield. That without his midfield presence, K’Ogalo is actually dead.Formation (3-4-3)In recent times, Gor resorted to lining up with three defenders but that has changed ever since Frank Odhiambo departed for duty with the U23 Harambee Stars side. However, we are still going to use that squad as it gave them the most success, one time going on a seven match winning streak.With three midfielders, Alpha would line up alongside Ernest Wendo in the middle of the park with Kenneth Muguna given a free role to roam all over the park.RolesWendo, Alpha and Muguna are all given different roles in the game.Wendo is a traditional number 6. His main work is just destroying the opponent’s rhythm and cutting off their play. So long as he does that, he earns his paycheck. He will not be too clever about anything and try to come up with the ingenious. His is to poke his feet and retrieve the ball for his team, then leave the rest for the others.📷 | 50′ Eyes on the ball Gor Mahia 0 Kariobangi Sharks 1#GorVsSharks#BKPL pic.twitter.com/VkMFZxkQe2— Betking Kenya Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) July 21, 2021 Muguna – The new Azam signing is renowned for his creative brilliance in the middle of the park. He will see you make a run and he will locate you with one of his pinpoint balls. Accuracy is his forte. That is what he does to the team. He offers the creative spark needed to make things happen in the game.Little-known Western Stima, midfielder Kenneth Muguna is the 2016 Kenyan Premier League MVP. I have a feeling that he will one day play for Gor Mahia, play for FK Tirana in Albania and later for Azam in Tanzania. pic.twitter.com/B9PQAwEjCs— Ole Teya (@Kevin_teya) July 20, 2021 Now having all these two characteristics in the team is very important. As phases in play will require a team to defend and to attack as the situation requires. The only downside with having only these two qualities is that there is no in-between character that provided the delicate balance between attack and defense. Up steps Alpha.Alpha’s role in the midfield is to provide composure and stability. The youngster, a modern ball-playing midfielder, controls and dictates the pace of the game. What makes him essential to Gor’s mid is his combination of having what both Wendo and Muguna have. He can snuff out danger from the opponents and is able to make a creative pass going forward.⚫ | 80′ Gooal Alpha Onyango scores the second goal for Gor Mahia as he heads in from Tito Okelo’s crossSofapaka FC 1 Gor Mahia 2#SofapakavsGor#BKPL pic.twitter.com/eIULUhSOYc— Betking Kenya Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) May 20, 2021 Alpha’s qualities are something even interim head Sammy “Pamzo” Omollo coach knows and admits that the team is currenlty missing.“Alpha gives us composure in that midfield. Sometimes in a game, you find that you need a calming presence to help you control the game. He has the ability to play those square passes and he is very good on the ball. Without a doubt we are feeling his absence in the team,” he said in an interview with Mozzart Sport.📷 | 85′ The bench not the suitable place for Gor Mahia’s head coach Sammy Omollo at the moment Gor Mahia 0 Kariobangi Sharks 2⚽️ Eric Kapaito ⚽️ Robert Onyango #GorVsSharks#BKPL pic.twitter.com/SeDrrYwMYc— Betking Kenya Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) July 21, 2021 Since picking up the back injury and consequently staying out in the last six games, Gor have struggled to assert their dominance in the game. That absence is what has led to the worrying downturn in form.When they play Ulinzi Stars today in Nakuru, still with Alpha sidelined, Pamzo will be hoping that they can at least end their awful run and make my article irrelevant. Before then, The Breakdown!