Some people still seem to think we're playing ok bar this result...and that result, oh and that result....but the reality is we're not picking up points, we're labouring on the pitch, injury replacements aren't as effective and we have a kindergarten on the bench.
3 out of the bottom 4 teams at this stage of last season went down, Burnley were the team that escaped.
We are not in a good place.
I don't know the timescales for Philips, Bamford and Ayling, but without them I'm not fancying our chances.
We were put to the sword by a team that had failed to register a win, we were comprehensively outplayed.
The team of last season is AWOL.
I have lost a little faith in Bielsa's ability to address this. Defensive issues are ones that great coaching could/should fix.
I'm struggling to see where we get many points from the rest of this calendar year.
At what point do owners get twitchy?
I want Bielsa to succeed, he's got a massive challenge ahead of him right now and I believe if we survive it, we come out far, far stronger.
What does this season hold now
posted on 18/10/21
I missed the game on sat, decided to work. When I looked at the team sheet, I expected us to lose. Not a good sign.
We can't really perform without Phillips, add to that our only on form forward out too and to add more insult to injury, Bamford out.
The injury problems we get, just stifle us. I don't know what the options are, apart from spending 100m to bring in more players for injury rotation.
posted on 18/10/21
I always felt last season, without crowds, offered our championship players the chance to adapt against higher standard of opposition in a more neutral environment. Now with crowds back in I think it's a different task in hand. Some maybe aren't as effective. I'm probably talking tosh, but it's my take on it. I still remain confident we'll stay up, but we really need to start stringing results together.
Also - is the training, such intense training, contributing to injuries or recovery time from them?
posted on 18/10/21
To play devils advocate, you could quite easily make a case for Bielsa losing his job. We are fourth bottom, the team are playing like they have never met before, the style of play is too regimented and therefore teams are able to pick us (we always play the same way regardless of who we are up against and the man marking isn't working), the level of injuries is indicative of too harsh a training regime (far too many injuries), players that would have enhanced the squad haven't been signed because of Bielsa wanting a small squad and Bielsa doesn't seem to think creatively when making substitutions (always brings the same players on regardless of what is happening in the game).
Have to admit, at the moment, I am losing a little faith in MB.
This, is he/isn't he, when it comes to signing a new contract each season is a clever sleight of hand because it means the management are so invested in him they are very unlikely to want to part company.
posted on 18/10/21
Poor recruitment policy in the summer for me.
We should have strengthened in key areas, mainly midfield.
We signed a new LB and lost one. Jury is still out on Firpo. Last season we had a major issue when KP wasnt playing and that wasn't fulfilled in the summer. We also have never had a direct replacement for Saiz/Pablo and seem to try and shoehorn Rodrigo and Roberts in to that role when neither have shown that they are capable.
To me there were far more crucial recruitments needed before we paid 25m for Dan James.
posted on 18/10/21
comment by Outwood White (U9610)
posted 2 hours, 27 minutes ago
Poor recruitment policy in the summer for me.
We should have strengthened in key areas, mainly midfield.
We signed a new LB and lost one. Jury is still out on Firpo. Last season we had a major issue when KP wasnt playing and that wasn't fulfilled in the summer. We also have never had a direct replacement for Saiz/Pablo and seem to try and shoehorn Rodrigo and Roberts in to that role when neither have shown that they are capable.
To me there were far more crucial recruitments needed before we paid 25m for Dan James.
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Fully agree
posted on 18/10/21
Very good summary Elsbels nearly exactly how I feel maybe don’t put it across as well.Very sad but no one man is bigger than the club.He will always be a big part of the clubs history .Having said all that nothing would give me greater pleasure than to be proved wrong.
posted on 18/10/21
comment by Shaun M - Everywhere you go, always take Rapinha with you! (U9955)
posted 1 hour, 12 minutes ago
comment by Outwood White (U9610)
posted 2 hours, 27 minutes ago
Poor recruitment policy in the summer for me.
We should have strengthened in key areas, mainly midfield.
We signed a new LB and lost one. Jury is still out on Firpo. Last season we had a major issue when KP wasnt playing and that wasn't fulfilled in the summer. We also have never had a direct replacement for Saiz/Pablo and seem to try and shoehorn Rodrigo and Roberts in to that role when neither have shown that they are capable.
To me there were far more crucial recruitments needed before we paid 25m for Dan James.
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Fully agree
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Here, here. Signing James when we were crying out for midfield options is looking more and more silly.
posted on 18/10/21
Negatives - No quality No 8 or 10 which impacts on our forwards with lack of service.
People crying out for the U23s to play but we only see them in their own age group, The manager sees them every week against the senior players so must not think they are up to it as otherwise surely they would be in the side,
Positive - West Ham are 7th we more than competed with them and if Klich score its game over, with a strong side out we compete with most sides.
Anyone heard the rumours about Dallas getting the flick from home if true its bound to affect his performances.
4pts min from next two games 6 would be great to kick start the season but squad depth is the worry.
posted on 18/10/21
Cant believe i have read the sh**e posted on here.
posted on 19/10/21
comment by Outwood White (U9610)
posted 21 hours, 50 minutes ago
Poor recruitment policy in the summer for me.
We should have strengthened in key areas, mainly midfield.
We signed a new LB and lost one. Jury is still out on Firpo. Last season we had a major issue when KP wasnt playing and that wasn't fulfilled in the summer. We also have never had a direct replacement for Saiz/Pablo and seem to try and shoehorn Rodrigo and Roberts in to that role when neither have shown that they are capable.
To me there were far more crucial recruitments needed before we paid 25m for Dan James.
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Completely agree on this.