If the rot continues what happens ?

[Roachy]

But the struggle would be less if we had, say a second striker, ONE left back, the backup to Rodri we've all known we've needed for years.

We've sleepwalked into a situation where our first team squad was already depleted, and now injuries have decimated that.

All management has to take responsibility for that, from Pep to Khaldoon.

And no, I'm not demanding heads on spikes. But no pointing fingers and feeling sorry for themselves. They need to accept the fuck up, short term fix in Jan, long term fix in the summer. And come out and show some fight.

It would be interesting to know we've took this approach. I can't recall the squad size situation in the summer but maybe the current contracted players weren't going anywhere and we didn't have room for extra numbers. If that's not the case and there was room it's a bit baffling. The real concerning matter is the collective downturn in virtually every player at the moment. It's becoming a theme with some of the excuses wearing a bit thin.

 

[HypnoticBlue]

It would be interesting to know we've took this approach. I can't recall the squad size situation in the summer but maybe the current contracted players weren't going anywhere and we didn't have room for extra numbers. If that's not the case and there was room it's a bit baffling. The real concerning matter is the collective downturn in virtually every player at the moment. It's becoming a theme with some of the excuses wearing a bit thin.

The tactics are creating the downturn I think.

 

[Roachy]

The tactics are creating the downturn I think.

Well if that's the case then it's on Pep. We seem to have a number of reasons for the slide at the ready. Some are obvious, injuries, lack of form etc. There's just no spark or creativity at the moment. Coupled with this horror show, clown like defending at times it's no wonder we've seen these results.

 

[give it to gordon]

There was rumours that Eddy, Walker and KDB were of last summer.
The only player of recent times who was rumoured to be of every summer was Silva. But Silva has always given 100%.

Perhaps these 3 knew inside knew that they were done, knackered and need to step down a level. Did someone at the club make the wrong call and talked them into staying.

I'm not calling these players out they have been fantastic players for the club. Just a thought that the players knew their time was up, which happens to all players. The players know their minds and bodies better than anyone.

 

[Goaters]

We as fans have been truly spoilt over the last decade, I’m sure every man and his dog would agree.

Pep is clearly one of us, he’s bought into the project, defended us against the press and made us the envy of every other fan - hence the bitterness in the press.

I can completely accept this season as a write off (as long as top 4 is achieved).

If Pep wants to be overly loyal to players who’ve achieved so much with us - then so be it. If Pep is being very stubborn to his footballing philosophy that won us 4 titles on the bounce - go for it mate.

Guardiola isn’t an idiot, he’s the greatest tactical mind the games every seen. We’ve seen the media reports how stressed he’s getting, he’s looking like a broken man and will have huge weight of expectation on his shoulders so I do feel for him.

My issue with this run and potentially season is I’d have marked this as a ‘transition’ season. Would it really have harmed our chances further to see what nico or wright could produce holding as dm with energy? Would mcatee instead of nunes on the wing made us less fluid? Simpson Pusey at the back could have slotted in as a rb or cb and made us more solid than a lewis or nunes again.

My gripe is purely I’d have liked to have seen this as a chance to blood the unknown players, the players that have been elite throughout the youth teams, star players in the junior England setup. I just can’t fathom how we haven’t utilised this slightly more - especially when you see palmer, Lavia and Delap flying atm.

Now saying that, Lewis is a young lad and seems to be near universally ridiculed atm so maybe my youth theory is a naive assessment.

Anyway, Pep you’ve given me the best years of my life foootball wise. For his sake rather than us spoilt fans I want him to turn this round and show the world he’s still the best manager we’ve ever seen.

 

[Blu3m00n91]

No one can say that we haven’t supported the club or the players during this run. Our actual captain just completely avoids questions, letting other people speak for him. The other players talk a big game off the pitch and show fuck all on it. There is factors as to why we’re on a bad run but it’s not bad enough to excuse these type of performances. Pep said vs Southampton ‘work harder, Be Humble, Be ambitious, other wise academy is ready’. Time to stick to your words now pep

 

[rickmcfc]

No one can say that we haven’t supported the club or the players during this run. Our actual captain just completely avoids questions, letting other people speak for him. The other players talk a big game off the pitch and show fuck all on it. There is factors as to why we’re on a bad run but it’s not bad enough to excuse these type of performances. Pep said vs Southampton ‘work harder, Be Humble, Be ambitious, other wise academy is ready’. Time to stick to your words now pep

Totally agree. Im not suggesting throw 11 youngsters out, but those guys must be sat there seeing this thinking “if I don’t get a chance now then I never will”

Bring in some kids asap

 

[jim tolmies perm]

Football mirrors life. So many things can be ephemeral, one minute you have it ,the next it's gone, whether it be something or somebody
Nothing stands still. The club and we as fans must understand stand this so it's so important to cherish the moment and be aware if you take your eye off the prize unpleasant surprises may await you. Try to stay humble above all.

 

[Coatigan]

The last four years, people have talked about teams bottling it, pressure and what it does to them, opposition fans being fickle and buckling etc etc.

'Mon then, now lets see that bravado, lets see what we are made of and how we cope!

That's not happy clapping, I am not defending the performances or choices, I am fucking gutted to see it. But I'll take the pain, and I'll take it into the next game. And the one after that.

Don't want Pep sacked, don't want him to walk, and don't think either will happen. At this point it doesn't matter whether we lose 12, 14 or 16 games in a bad run, and there is no magic breaking point where it all needs to go to shit.

I back this manager and this group, and if it all keeps going wrong, so be it. I want to see it change, but I want to see it change together.

 

[Roachy]

There was rumours that Eddy, Walker and KDB were of last summer.
The only player of recent times who was rumoured to be of every summer was Silva. But Silva has always given 100%.

Perhaps these 3 knew inside knew that they were done, knackered and need to step down a level. Did someone at the club make the wrong call and talked them into staying.

I'm not calling these players out they have been fantastic players for the club. Just a thought that the players knew their time was up, which happens to all players. The players know their minds and bodies better than anyone.

If, as so many experts here keep saying, the players are mentally and physically shot then there would 100% been signs in the summer. This collapse is too dramatic for there not too have been. It has to be halted though and that's why people get paid the big bucks.