It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest. There's a malaise running through the club and it's not solely a result of injuries. Something is endemically wrong. Either way, we'll find out soon enough.
Mental,Physical fatigue after years of supremacy, laced with a bit of unexpected complacency.
All key players a season older.
No r & r for most players in close season.
Perfect storm of serious injuries to key players, niggling injures and sickness, players out of postion due to no options playing when unfit,more injuries,rinse & repeat.
Loss of form & confidence, mistakes,defeats,more mistakes,more defeats rinse & repeat,rinse & repeat.
I struggle to understand why so many people dont understand the 'cause & effect' that has hit us this season.
Every team on the planet wouldve experienced what weve been going through if theyd have had enjoyed our supremacy in the last 6 /7 years.....but they did'nt and have'nt !
Pep cautioned about overloading players three years ag, perhaps we should've started the refit earlier in the knowledge that 75 + games per season would be the norm.
There may be a holistic rethink taking place from the Sheikh down about squad size and make up, pre season tours,short term financial return/ value growth and much, much more.
The start of a new and different era ??