This is what has gone wrong

[Fusilier]

For me, a lot of what we are seeing now goes back to the planning in the summer.

By 17 April, everyone at the club knew we were going up. From that point there should have been a clear plan for the 25-man Premier League squad. Who was good enough, who wasn't, who needed moving on and where we needed to strengthen.

I think Lampard and Austin have been too loyal to some of the players who got us promoted.

That loyalty is understandable after what they achieved, but once the season finished there needed to be a lot more ruthlessness. The standards and expectations had to go up because the level had gone up, and there should have been no room for sentiment when making decisions about the squad.

In my opinion, players like Wilson, Bidwell, Brau, Lati, Woolfenden, Kitching, Raphael, Bassette, BTA and Simms are not good enough for the Premier League, and those decisions should have been made early.
The club should have made it clear to them and their agents that they were not part of the plans for the Premier League squad and should look for moves elsewhere.
Brau, Kitching, Raphael and Bassette have gone out on loan, but too many of the others are still here, while we still lack enough quality, cover and genuine competition in several positions.

The problem with leaving it late is obvious. Once Championship clubs have already done most of their business, it becomes much harder to move players who are now on Premier League wages.

That leaves us with players taking up squad places and wages that could have been used to strengthen areas where we are still short.

For me, that is where Dean Austin has to take some responsibility.

He was promoted from Head of Recruitment to Sporting Director on 3 July, with Jamie Johnson moving up to Head of Recruitment.

Given how important this summer was, I think it is fair to ask whether promoting from within was the right decision.

Was Austin really the best person available for such an important job?

There were people around with far more Premier League experience in Sporting Director or Director of Football roles.

Paul Mitchell has worked at Southampton, Spurs, Leipzig, Monaco and Newcastle.

Dougie Freedman did a very good job at Palace.

Mike Rigg has worked at Manchester City and Fulham.

Kevin Thelwell has Premier League experience and previously worked with Lampard at Everton.

I'm not saying any of them would definitely have come here, but I do think it is fair to ask whether we should have gone for someone with more experience at the exact point the club was moving into the Premier League.

Then there is the loss of Dr Claire-Marie Roberts.

I think that could be more important than people realise.

She was a big part of the performance side of the club and since she left there have been plenty of comments about the lack of fitness, intensity and confidence.

I'm not saying her departure is the reason for what we are seeing, but whatever the cause, the running and tackling numbers have not been good enough.

You cannot be one of the least intense teams in the league and expect to survive.

The tactics are another concern.

I have no problem with going 5-4-1 away to Arsenal, Man City or Liverpool. That makes sense.

What I don't understand is using the same sort of approach at home against teams like Brighton, especially when we spent the summer signing players who look much better suited to a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3.

It feels like we recruited for one way of playing and then became too cautious and indecisive once the season started.

I also think we need a specialist defensive coach and a better set-piece coach. Hopefully Lampard brings in Ashley Cole because he could improve the out of possession side of the team and help MVE adapt to the Premier League and fulfil his potential.

There is also the question of team selection.

We still don't seem completely sure how we want to play, and expensive new signings like Yirenkyi and Tchaouna have spent too much time on the bench when, in my opinion, they should have been starting.

For me, the biggest problem is that the club wasn't proactive enough.

Too many players who should have been moved on are still here.

The Sporting Director appointment is open to question.

The Performance Director role still hasn't been replaced.

We still look short of quality in several positions.

And tactically, we still don't seem settled on how we want to play.

None of those things on their own explains the poor start.

But put them all together and I think you can see why we have struggled.

 

[AS86]

-We don't who was told they could leave. Some mentioned may have been but had no interest.
-We don't know when and how many players we were in negotiations for, but couldn't come to an agreement.
-We don't know how many of our signings were the first choice on our lists.
-Other than Rushworth, we don't know how long negotiations went on for the players we did bring in.
-Dean Austin's recruitment got us promoted, why would you change instantly?
-How much of what Dr Claire did was day to day work or did she just set up systems that are still in use?
-Running numbers will be low when we've mostly set up in a low block, no arguments regarding tackling though.
-We played well against City with 3 at the back, if we changed to a back 4 against Brighton and got battered, we'd question the change.
-Defensive and set piece coach, hard to argue currently.
-We've brought in 10 new players that need time to gel and we're playing much better teams. Can't know instantly what/who will work.
-It's still shit and I'm miserable

 

[Boicey]

It went wrong with the 500 word essay and 63 paragraphs TBH.

 

[stupot07]

"teams like Brighton...."

 

[bigfatronssba]

We brought in a huge number of new players. I don't think quantity of new signings is the issue

 

[Wyken Sky Blue]

Thank fuck for AI, you're welcome all:

The excerpt outlines several key factors contributing to the club's poor start to the Premier League season:

Poor Summer Planning: Management showed misplaced loyalty to the promotion-winning squad instead of ruthlessly moving on underperforming players early in the transfer window.

Questionable Leadership Appointments: Promoting Dean Austin to Sporting Director is questioned due to his lack of Premier League experience compared to proven external candidates.

Loss of Key Staff: The departure of Performance Director Dr. Claire-Marie Roberts coincides with a noticeable drop in squad fitness, intensity, and physical metrics.

Tactical Inconsistency: The team employs overly cautious setups (e.g., 5-4-1 at home) that conflict with the profile of new summer signings recruited for more attacking formations (4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3).

Underutilization of Recruits: Expensive new additions are being left on the bench rather than integrated into a settled starting XI.

 

[Boicey]

We brought in a huge number of new players. I don't think quantity of new signings is the issue

It's a huge issue

 

[Domo]

its 5 games - its not over yet. a lot of people on here saying how poor individuals are fundamentally, and i know will be saying, "ah i knew there was a player in Tchaouna" or "Grimes is the reason this team is performing so well" when we start to pick things up

this is just like how people bashed da silva, then praised him after decent performances, hated wright, then said hes one of the best strikers in the champ

just let them gel, or cook, or whatever the kids are calling it these days, there is plenty of talent in the group, and plenty of games left.

if you want to do another 800 word story at the end of the season, go for it, we dont need this now.

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

For me, a lot of what we are seeing now goes back to the planning in the summer.

By 17 April, everyone at the club knew we were going up. From that point there should have been a clear plan for the 25-man Premier League squad. Who was good enough, who wasn't, who needed moving on and where we needed to strengthen.

I think Lampard and Austin have been too loyal to some of the players who got us promoted.

That loyalty is understandable after what they achieved, but once the season finished there needed to be a lot more ruthlessness. The standards and expectations had to go up because the level had gone up, and there should have been no room for sentiment when making decisions about the squad.

In my opinion, players like Wilson, Bidwell, Brau, Lati, Woolfenden, Kitching, Raphael, Bassette, BTA and Simms are not good enough for the Premier League, and those decisions should have been made early.
The club should have made it clear to them and their agents that they were not part of the plans for the Premier League squad and should look for moves elsewhere.
Brau, Kitching, Raphael and Bassette have gone out on loan, but too many of the others are still here, while we still lack enough quality, cover and genuine competition in several positions.

The problem with leaving it late is obvious. Once Championship clubs have already done most of their business, it becomes much harder to move players who are now on Premier League wages.

That leaves us with players taking up squad places and wages that could have been used to strengthen areas where we are still short.

For me, that is where Dean Austin has to take some responsibility.

He was promoted from Head of Recruitment to Sporting Director on 3 July, with Jamie Johnson moving up to Head of Recruitment.

Given how important this summer was, I think it is fair to ask whether promoting from within was the right decision.

Was Austin really the best person available for such an important job?

There were people around with far more Premier League experience in Sporting Director or Director of Football roles.

Paul Mitchell has worked at Southampton, Spurs, Leipzig, Monaco and Newcastle.

Dougie Freedman did a very good job at Palace.

Mike Rigg has worked at Manchester City and Fulham.

Kevin Thelwell has Premier League experience and previously worked with Lampard at Everton.

I'm not saying any of them would definitely have come here, but I do think it is fair to ask whether we should have gone for someone with more experience at the exact point the club was moving into the Premier League.

Then there is the loss of Dr Claire-Marie Roberts.

I think that could be more important than people realise.

She was a big part of the performance side of the club and since she left there have been plenty of comments about the lack of fitness, intensity and confidence.

I'm not saying her departure is the reason for what we are seeing, but whatever the cause, the running and tackling numbers have not been good enough.

You cannot be one of the least intense teams in the league and expect to survive.

The tactics are another concern.

I have no problem with going 5-4-1 away to Arsenal, Man City or Liverpool. That makes sense.

What I don't understand is using the same sort of approach at home against teams like Brighton, especially when we spent the summer signing players who look much better suited to a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3.

It feels like we recruited for one way of playing and then became too cautious and indecisive once the season started.

I also think we need a specialist defensive coach and a better set-piece coach. Hopefully Lampard brings in Ashley Cole because he could improve the out of possession side of the team and help MVE adapt to the Premier League and fulfil his potential.

There is also the question of team selection.

We still don't seem completely sure how we want to play, and expensive new signings like Yirenkyi and Tchaouna have spent too much time on the bench when, in my opinion, they should have been starting.

For me, the biggest problem is that the club wasn't proactive enough.

Too many players who should have been moved on are still here.

The Sporting Director appointment is open to question.

The Performance Director role still hasn't been replaced.

We still look short of quality in several positions.

And tactically, we still don't seem settled on how we want to play.

None of those things on their own explains the poor start.

But put them all together and I think you can see why we have struggled.

Was part of that loyalty because Doug told them they were being given a chance because he wasn't forking out loads in fees and (especially) wages for better replacements?

 

[skybluecam]

its 5 games - its not over yet. a lot of people on here saying how poor individuals are fundamentally, and i know will be saying, "ah i knew there was a player in Tchaouna" or "Grimes is the reason this team is performing so well" when we start to pick things up

this is just like how people bashed da silva, then praised him after decent performances, hated wright, then said hes one of the best strikers in the champ

just let them gel, or cook, or whatever the kids are calling it these days, there is plenty of talent in the group, and plenty of games left.

if you want to do another 800 word story at the end of the season, go for it, we dont need this now.

It’s 4. Or 6. Not 5!

 

[Bash54]

I don't understand what the fuss is all about. Ok, the team is not playing the way they did last season. Results wise, was there an expectation of a result against Arsenal or Man City? So what about Hull and Brighton? Hull we've beaten once in 10 games. Brighton was a wrong approach to the game. This is the one game in my view where it all went wrong. Club strategy may be questioned but time will tell

 

[rob9872]

For me, a lot of what we are seeing now goes back to the planning in the summer.

By 17 April, everyone at the club knew we were going up. From that point there should have been a clear plan for the 25-man Premier League squad. Who was good enough, who wasn't, who needed moving on and where we needed to strengthen.

I think Lampard and Austin have been too loyal to some of the players who got us promoted.

That loyalty is understandable after what they achieved, but once the season finished there needed to be a lot more ruthlessness. The standards and expectations had to go up because the level had gone up, and there should have been no room for sentiment when making decisions about the squad.

In my opinion, players like Wilson, Bidwell, Brau, Lati, Woolfenden, Kitching, Raphael, Bassette, BTA and Simms are not good enough for the Premier League, and those decisions should have been made early.
The club should have made it clear to them and their agents that they were not part of the plans for the Premier League squad and should look for moves elsewhere.
Brau, Kitching, Raphael and Bassette have gone out on loan, but too many of the others are still here, while we still lack enough quality, cover and genuine competition in several positions.

The problem with leaving it late is obvious. Once Championship clubs have already done most of their business, it becomes much harder to move players who are now on Premier League wages.

That leaves us with players taking up squad places and wages that could have been used to strengthen areas where we are still short.

For me, that is where Dean Austin has to take some responsibility.

He was promoted from Head of Recruitment to Sporting Director on 3 July, with Jamie Johnson moving up to Head of Recruitment.

Given how important this summer was, I think it is fair to ask whether promoting from within was the right decision.

Was Austin really the best person available for such an important job?

There were people around with far more Premier League experience in Sporting Director or Director of Football roles.

Paul Mitchell has worked at Southampton, Spurs, Leipzig, Monaco and Newcastle.

Dougie Freedman did a very good job at Palace.

Mike Rigg has worked at Manchester City and Fulham.

Kevin Thelwell has Premier League experience and previously worked with Lampard at Everton.

I'm not saying any of them would definitely have come here, but I do think it is fair to ask whether we should have gone for someone with more experience at the exact point the club was moving into the Premier League.

Then there is the loss of Dr Claire-Marie Roberts.

I think that could be more important than people realise.

She was a big part of the performance side of the club and since she left there have been plenty of comments about the lack of fitness, intensity and confidence.

I'm not saying her departure is the reason for what we are seeing, but whatever the cause, the running and tackling numbers have not been good enough.

You cannot be one of the least intense teams in the league and expect to survive.

The tactics are another concern.

I have no problem with going 5-4-1 away to Arsenal, Man City or Liverpool. That makes sense.

What I don't understand is using the same sort of approach at home against teams like Brighton, especially when we spent the summer signing players who look much better suited to a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3.

It feels like we recruited for one way of playing and then became too cautious and indecisive once the season started.

I also think we need a specialist defensive coach and a better set-piece coach. Hopefully Lampard brings in Ashley Cole because he could improve the out of possession side of the team and help MVE adapt to the Premier League and fulfil his potential.

There is also the question of team selection.

We still don't seem completely sure how we want to play, and expensive new signings like Yirenkyi and Tchaouna have spent too much time on the bench when, in my opinion, they should have been starting.

For me, the biggest problem is that the club wasn't proactive enough.

Too many players who should have been moved on are still here.

The Sporting Director appointment is open to question.

The Performance Director role still hasn't been replaced.

We still look short of quality in several positions.

And tactically, we still don't seem settled on how we want to play.

None of those things on their own explains the poor start.

But put them all together and I think you can see why we have struggled.

What an absolute pile of horseshit.

 

[BrisbaneBronco]

You have to keep the bulk of last seasons squad, because if as expected we get relegated, then they are the ones needed to get us back up. You'd imagine the bulk of the new signings would be sold for a profit and have clauses in their contracts regarding lower pay in Championship.

 

[BackRoomRummermill]

Nothing has gone wrong - we are simply playing better teams (hull aside)

 

[nightowl1883]

What gone wrong is that in 2017 we were in league two acting as a non league club, we have had a remarkable turn around that even Wrexham with there millions are having trouble to emulate.Fans expectation have gone through the roof. It might take a few years of us being a yo-yo club before becoming settled in the Premier league. Just enjoy the experience this season and if we get relegated hope it’s a quicker return than 25 years. A least we have our own ground and seem to be financially stable and if we get relegated will remain financially stable.

 

[Bugsy]

I know all fan bases has them, but we have some proper soggy fans

 

[clint van damme]

What an absolute pile of horseshit.

Its amazing how people got shot down when asking if Claire Roberts appointment had anything to do with the down turn under Robins, but now shes a huge miss who was more important than people realise and was a big part of performances apparently!

This fucking place.

 

[Domo]

It’s 4. Or 6. Not 5!

Oh then discount everything I've said, seasons over.

 

[Kingokings204]

For me, a lot of what we are seeing now goes back to the planning in the summer.

By 17 April, everyone at the club knew we were going up. From that point there should have been a clear plan for the 25-man Premier League squad. Who was good enough, who wasn't, who needed moving on and where we needed to strengthen.

I think Lampard and Austin have been too loyal to some of the players who got us promoted.

That loyalty is understandable after what they achieved, but once the season finished there needed to be a lot more ruthlessness. The standards and expectations had to go up because the level had gone up, and there should have been no room for sentiment when making decisions about the squad.

In my opinion, players like Wilson, Bidwell, Brau, Lati, Woolfenden, Kitching, Raphael, Bassette, BTA and Simms are not good enough for the Premier League, and those decisions should have been made early.
The club should have made it clear to them and their agents that they were not part of the plans for the Premier League squad and should look for moves elsewhere.
Brau, Kitching, Raphael and Bassette have gone out on loan, but too many of the others are still here, while we still lack enough quality, cover and genuine competition in several positions.

The problem with leaving it late is obvious. Once Championship clubs have already done most of their business, it becomes much harder to move players who are now on Premier League wages.

That leaves us with players taking up squad places and wages that could have been used to strengthen areas where we are still short.

For me, that is where Dean Austin has to take some responsibility.

He was promoted from Head of Recruitment to Sporting Director on 3 July, with Jamie Johnson moving up to Head of Recruitment.

Given how important this summer was, I think it is fair to ask whether promoting from within was the right decision.

Was Austin really the best person available for such an important job?

There were people around with far more Premier League experience in Sporting Director or Director of Football roles.

Paul Mitchell has worked at Southampton, Spurs, Leipzig, Monaco and Newcastle.

Dougie Freedman did a very good job at Palace.

Mike Rigg has worked at Manchester City and Fulham.

Kevin Thelwell has Premier League experience and previously worked with Lampard at Everton.

I'm not saying any of them would definitely have come here, but I do think it is fair to ask whether we should have gone for someone with more experience at the exact point the club was moving into the Premier League.

Then there is the loss of Dr Claire-Marie Roberts.

I think that could be more important than people realise.

She was a big part of the performance side of the club and since she left there have been plenty of comments about the lack of fitness, intensity and confidence.

I'm not saying her departure is the reason for what we are seeing, but whatever the cause, the running and tackling numbers have not been good enough.

You cannot be one of the least intense teams in the league and expect to survive.

The tactics are another concern.

I have no problem with going 5-4-1 away to Arsenal, Man City or Liverpool. That makes sense.

What I don't understand is using the same sort of approach at home against teams like Brighton, especially when we spent the summer signing players who look much better suited to a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3.

It feels like we recruited for one way of playing and then became too cautious and indecisive once the season started.

I also think we need a specialist defensive coach and a better set-piece coach. Hopefully Lampard brings in Ashley Cole because he could improve the out of possession side of the team and help MVE adapt to the Premier League and fulfil his potential.

There is also the question of team selection.

We still don't seem completely sure how we want to play, and expensive new signings like Yirenkyi and Tchaouna have spent too much time on the bench when, in my opinion, they should have been starting.

For me, the biggest problem is that the club wasn't proactive enough.

Too many players who should have been moved on are still here.

The Sporting Director appointment is open to question.

The Performance Director role still hasn't been replaced.

We still look short of quality in several positions.

And tactically, we still don't seem settled on how we want to play.

None of those things on their own explains the poor start.

But put them all together and I think you can see why we have struggled.

Or the other teams in the premier league have better players and bigger budgets and have mostly been there for years and years. Some are the best teams in the world .

Just another theory anyway

 

[Cally Fedora]

Here’s an alternative view. It hasn’t all gone wrong. But expectation was ridiculous. Some of our fan base including the OP somehow now regard Brighton as games we should be winning. Why? The truth is we were always likely to go down. Some just can’t comprehend that. It doesn’t matter how long we’ve waited to be back etc etc.And before someone chimes in about champions elect Hull and Ipswich they will both go down too.

 

[Fergusons_Beard]

For me, a lot of what we are seeing now goes back to the planning in the summer.

By 17 April, everyone at the club knew we were going up. From that point there should have been a clear plan for the 25-man Premier League squad. Who was good enough, who wasn't, who needed moving on and where we needed to strengthen.

I think Lampard and Austin have been too loyal to some of the players who got us promoted.

That loyalty is understandable after what they achieved, but once the season finished there needed to be a lot more ruthlessness. The standards and expectations had to go up because the level had gone up, and there should have been no room for sentiment when making decisions about the squad.

In my opinion, players like Wilson, Bidwell, Brau, Lati, Woolfenden, Kitching, Raphael, Bassette, BTA and Simms are not good enough for the Premier League, and those decisions should have been made early.
The club should have made it clear to them and their agents that they were not part of the plans for the Premier League squad and should look for moves elsewhere.
Brau, Kitching, Raphael and Bassette have gone out on loan, but too many of the others are still here, while we still lack enough quality, cover and genuine competition in several positions.

The problem with leaving it late is obvious. Once Championship clubs have already done most of their business, it becomes much harder to move players who are now on Premier League wages.

That leaves us with players taking up squad places and wages that could have been used to strengthen areas where we are still short.

For me, that is where Dean Austin has to take some responsibility.

He was promoted from Head of Recruitment to Sporting Director on 3 July, with Jamie Johnson moving up to Head of Recruitment.

Given how important this summer was, I think it is fair to ask whether promoting from within was the right decision.

Was Austin really the best person available for such an important job?

There were people around with far more Premier League experience in Sporting Director or Director of Football roles.

Paul Mitchell has worked at Southampton, Spurs, Leipzig, Monaco and Newcastle.

Dougie Freedman did a very good job at Palace.

Mike Rigg has worked at Manchester City and Fulham.

Kevin Thelwell has Premier League experience and previously worked with Lampard at Everton.

I'm not saying any of them would definitely have come here, but I do think it is fair to ask whether we should have gone for someone with more experience at the exact point the club was moving into the Premier League.

Then there is the loss of Dr Claire-Marie Roberts.

I think that could be more important than people realise.

She was a big part of the performance side of the club and since she left there have been plenty of comments about the lack of fitness, intensity and confidence.

I'm not saying her departure is the reason for what we are seeing, but whatever the cause, the running and tackling numbers have not been good enough.

You cannot be one of the least intense teams in the league and expect to survive.

The tactics are another concern.

I have no problem with going 5-4-1 away to Arsenal, Man City or Liverpool. That makes sense.

What I don't understand is using the same sort of approach at home against teams like Brighton, especially when we spent the summer signing players who look much better suited to a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3.

It feels like we recruited for one way of playing and then became too cautious and indecisive once the season started.

I also think we need a specialist defensive coach and a better set-piece coach. Hopefully Lampard brings in Ashley Cole because he could improve the out of possession side of the team and help MVE adapt to the Premier League and fulfil his potential.

There is also the question of team selection.

We still don't seem completely sure how we want to play, and expensive new signings like Yirenkyi and Tchaouna have spent too much time on the bench when, in my opinion, they should have been starting.

For me, the biggest problem is that the club wasn't proactive enough.

Too many players who should have been moved on are still here.

The Sporting Director appointment is open to question.

The Performance Director role still hasn't been replaced.

We still look short of quality in several positions.

And tactically, we still don't seem settled on how we want to play.

None of those things on their own explains the poor start.

But put them all together and I think you can see why we have struggled.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Wyken Sky Blue]

If Hull and Ipswich were in a similar position to us then I don't think we would be questioning things

We are comparing ourselves to them after 4 games and that has caused questions to be asked

If in 10 games time we are miles behind them then we can justify challenging all the things that are being said at the moment

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

Here’s an alternative view. It hasn’t all gone wrong. But expectation was ridiculous. Some of our fan base including the OP somehow now regard Brighton as games we should be winning. Why? The truth is we were always likely to go down. Some just can’t comprehend that. It doesn’t matter how long we’ve waited to be back etc etc.And before someone chimes in about champions elect Hull and Ipswich they will both go down too.

I'd say most people's expectations were for us to lose a lot, lose quite heavily at times, but to at least look like we're fighting and in with a chance. Other than the Man City game even that low expectation hasn't been met and you really struggle to see where a point is coming from. Teams are beating us with ease without getting out of second or third gear. We were more capable of challenging PL teams while we were in the Championship.

 

[SBAndy]

First of all, Ashley Cole isn’t a defensive coach as far as I’m aware. He is an attacking coach.

The point regarding Dean Austin I get, but equally is it the right time to change internal structures when you’ve got to get active quickly? Hindsight obviously that we didn’t get moving as quickly as we should, but a new external appointment for DoF probably wants to get his feet under the table, probably has a list of their own targets which may or may not be appropriate, etc.

Dr Roberts for whatever reason just didn’t ‘work’ with the rest of the coaching staff. I do still think we need someone covering that area though - maybe we just haven’t found the right candidate.

Finally, I wish people would get out of their heads the idea that we’ll be able to “take the game” to many/any in this league. Our clearest route to success will be to soak up some pressure and pinch results. To do this, though, we need to concentrate far more on not conceding.

 

[tom88]

I've been saying this since the bedwetting thread was born.
We have signed players which hopefully have resale value, but the inexperience is there to see, it is obvious.
There surely must've been free agents (3-4) with prem experience through the spine of the team we could've picked up for free.

Yes there is no resale value but the chance of staying up is worth more.

 

[stevefloyd]

I would imagine its not the best idea to say to players you you you and you are going, we haven't got a new suitor yet but when we do you can leave, thats not a great plan to get the best out of players we are currently stuck with

 

[SBAndy]

I would imagine its not the best idea to say to players you you you and you are going, we haven't got a new suitor yet but when we do you can leave, thats not a great plan to get the best out of players we are currently stuck with

That’s how football largely works. You tell players they’re not in your plans and it’s on the agent to find them a new gig.

 

[Bash54]

Put these negative comments on the back burner. Look at the table. Are we miles off points wise from say 15th. NO There is a hysteria building up because of no points. If chances were not being created then I would be worried

 

[Cally Fedora]

I'd say most people's expectations were for us to lose a lot, lose quite heavily at times, but to at least look like we're fighting and in with a chance. Other than the Man City game even that low expectation hasn't been met and you really struggle to see where a point is coming from. Teams are beating us with ease without getting out of second or third gear. We were more capable of challenging PL teams while we were in the Championship.

No we weren’t. And it’s ridiculous to say we aren’t fighting. You can see the players are desperate to do well - it was actually part of the problem in the two home games. We’ve got to settle and be less manic. Lampard needs to get the best team out there and we need to get a point. Things will feel so much better then.

 

[stupot07]

No we weren’t. And it’s ridiculous to say we aren’t fighting. You can see the players are desperate to do well - it was actually part of the problem in the two home games. We’ve got to settle and be less manic. Lampard needs to get the best team out there and we need to get a point. Things will feel so much better then.

Come on Cally, not only are we bottom of the league having scored 0 goals on 0 points and a goal difference of -10 after 4 games, we are bottom of the league for distance covered and tackles and joint second bottom for yellows. We are being outrun by every team in the league, and seemingly can't get close enough to opposition players.

And despite Awoniyi's crazy elbow, we got thrashed 5-0 at home and not a single booking.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

We needed a statement experienced number 6.

We have nothing tying the 11 on the pitch together at the moment

 

[Dougin]

The only thing that has gone wrong this season is we were shite against Hull. We started with a poor attitude and Lamps made bad subs at the wrong time. We were expected to lose against all the others.

Off the field there is a lot wrong.

 

[Cally Fedora]

Come on Cally, not only are we bottom of the league having scored 0 goals on 0 points and a goal difference of -10 after 4 games, we are bottom of the league for distance covered and tackles and joint second bottom for yellows. We are being outrun by every team in the league, and seemingly can't get close enough to opposition players.

And despite Awoniyi's crazy elbow, we got thrashed 5-0 at home and not a single booking.

What were you expecting? That’s the issue. I know perfectly well what the stats say. I could have seen a scenario where we’d got 3 points at this point and a handful of goals but realistically you’d have to be an optimist of ridiculous proportions to expect anything vastly different.

 

[SBAndy]

What were you expecting? That’s the issue. I know perfectly well what the stats say. I could have seen a scenario where we’d got 3 points at this point and a handful of goals but realistically you’d have to be an optimist of ridiculous proportions to expect anything vastly different.

So the expectation that we’d at least get stuck in a bit is deemed unreasonable? Get in the bin.

 

[Cally Fedora]

So the expectation that we’d at least get stuck in a bit is deemed unreasonable? Get in the bin.

What do you mean “get stuck in”. Kicked people? Shown more fight? We’re being outplayed by better teams who have lots more cash and have spent decades crafting premier league squads.