It is a real shame that although the last four years have been fabulous, they should have been absolutely, utterly brilliantGet over yourself
Agreed. It does beg questions of the recruitment strategy though.This season is the type of season I was expecting last season.
I personally believe the players are physically and mentally knackered, probably more mentally. I say mentally because every thing seems just the milli second off. The timing of the pass, the decision.
The effort is still there but the speed of the brain isn't !
The lads were running on empty last season but we found ways to win, than they had a summer of internationals again.
This team has done the treble than 4 in a row plus set countless new records. We are everyone's cup final times 10. Teams are happy to beat us and than lose the next few games.
The players bodies are knackered they don't get the correct rest period between games. Hence the increase in injuries, this means Pep can't rotate so the fit players are playing more than get injuries.
Our luck is well and truly out this season, nothing is going our way.
I'm going to sit back enjoy the dieing embers of the greatest team England has ever seen. Looking forward to the reset. And still hoping we can win the pl this season
Note to self avoid matchday thread.
This season is the type of season I was expecting last season.
I personally believe the players are physically and mentally knackered, probably more mentally. I say mentally because every thing seems just the milli second off. The timing of the pass, the decision.
The effort is still there but the speed of the brain isn't !
The lads were running on empty last season but we found ways to win, than they had a summer of internationals again.
This team has done the treble than 4 in a row plus set countless new records. We are everyone's cup final times 10. Teams are happy to beat us and than lose the next few games.
The players bodies are knackered they don't get the correct rest period between games. Hence the increase in injuries, this means Pep can't rotate so the fit players are playing more than get injuries.
Our luck is well and truly out this season, nothing is going our way.
I'm going to sit back enjoy the dieing embers of the greatest team England has ever seen. Looking forward to the reset. And still hoping we can win the pl this season
Note to self avoid matchday thread.
Not being able to field a regular back four is killing us . Ake Stones and Akanji out injured every other week and Walker being Walker, the best teams have centre back pairings that are first choice every week.Its a lottery which team is available to Pep each game . Midfield yesterday was slow and didn’t track back and Erlings ball control for a top player is poor despite his goal recordAgreed, the penultimate sentence aside. Mathematically we can win the PL. If we had all players fit and available, the chance to win wouldn't be merely mathematical. But in practical terms, it's over and there's no shame to accept reality. Several players can't be relied upon to stay fit, which wears down the fit players and they lose form, e.g., Gvardiol, Bernardo and Haaland. Let's hope we can sign 1-2 quality players in January and finish the season strongly.
Agree with a lot of that apart from the forget Europe and challenge domestically bit. The league is gone, finishing in the top 3 looks unlikely. We should have one or 2 lined up for January and if we get them i don’t see why a real shot at the European cup isn’t possible. There is not much to fear in Europe and 4th place in the league should be well possible due to apart from the top 3 nobody else looking particularly consistent.The next few games will be interesting in the lead up to the window and the arrival of Viana. If things continue as they have, then we may have to accept that the injuries/fatigue will not end and that we have to write off the season. That would be unfortunate, in my opinion, as none of the League contenders actually look better than us, and I think two shrewd signings in the winter could turn things around. However, if we are between Directors of Football, it could be that nothing happens, the ‘reset’ is planned for the summer, and the season fizzles out. As I say, I’d like to see us bring in two and challenge domestically (forget Europe).
A motoring analogy is like when I was driving to the tip of Cornwall many years ago and through the night but as I passed Bristol thought I could make it on a quarter of a tank. Av decision I later had to agree was plain stupid.Agreed. It does beg questions of the recruitment strategy though.
Not being able to field a regular back four is killing us . Ake Stones and Akanji out injured every other week and Walker being Walker, the best teams have centre back pairings that are first choice every week.Its a lottery which team is available to Pep each game . Midfield yesterday was slow and didn’t track back and Erlings ball control for a top player is poor despite his goal record
I would like to be challenging in Europe, but you cannot afford one mistake in the Champions League, and I think there are a few teams with players that could exploit our weaknesses. Even when we are at strength, riding high, and home to Internazionale, we were ruthlessly exposed and a tad fortunate not to lose. We have regressed since last season and are too slow in too many departments, meaning we can be sliced open by pace. I can foresee a repeat of Lyon in the spring should we progress.Agree with a lot of that apart from the forget Europe and challenge domestically bit. The league is gone, finishing in the top 3 looks unlikely. We should have one or 2 lined up for January and if we get them i don’t see why a real shot at the European cup isn’t possible. There is not much to fear in Europe and 4th place in the league should be well possible due to apart from the top 3 nobody else looking particularly consistent.
By the time January comes we could easily be 16/20 points behind the scousers. The squad is simply to weak and with the injuries we have it would be a big surprise if we don’t drop a good few more points. 2nd half of the season could be very different however, if the injuries to key defenders begin to improve. Doku continues to improve and Bobb comes back. Plus a signing or 2. Hopefully the season can still ens up an enjoyable one and the pressure to win yet another title inevitably disappears.