We are all hurting after the last 2 games - we all much anticipation of a younger, fitter side determined to start fast and lay down a marker this season & that has already been thrown away.
It's really hard to put a finger on what has gone so wrong. The older players who Pep relies on Bernie & Dias for example have followed others who fell off a cliff form and physicality wise. The new signings have quickly fallen into being literally frightened to express themselves. The younger squad players Lewis, O'Reilly, Bobb who are now being told they have to step up look lost in terms of positioning on the pitch. The shape of the team is terrible - zero attempts after min 34 is so bad.
Today we give a pen away because we have a player who does not want to get hit in the face - what we should have done is keep shape at the back and take the draw - instead what they did was run aimlessly into forward positions - Ruben, Air-Noiri (who frankly looks incapable of making a tackle) and Lewis all should have remained in shape - John lost the possession and suddenly it was 3 v's 1 so of course they get the winner. Where the f*** was Lewis again? Playing with himself in their half!!
The above is all about 2 things, coaching and an individuals commitment to the cause. It seems to me that Pep is at odds with the transfer planning and squad trimming by the higher ups. Perhaps I'm wrong and this maybe an over reaction but whichever way you look at it something is terribly wrong with the fact that we have lost 2 games because we didn't compete on a fitness and commitment level. Christ it's not as if they were 2 teams who are flying - Spurs and Brighton will not be in the top 6 this year but both made us look very average when they suddenly decided "hey, these are not that great lets just press a bit and they will panic."
For me the only good thing today was our keeper made a world class save and that will be forgotten because his defenders couldn't do their jobs when Brighton went more physical. I felt sorry for Trafford because he did well & now we will hear calls that it's all about how the keeper plays the ball out again - no Pep it's tactics that other managers have sussed out and the fact remains in any sport you work harder than the opposition and you more often than not win.
I'm officially depressed.
