In addition to what’s been mentioned above, Merino’s return to the fold is a major boost. Someone who can do all of defend, create and dominate the midfield and aerial battles while Odegaard regains fitness. It will allow Partey and Jorginho’s fitness to be managed better and continue showcasing how viable a team we still have even without Odegaard. Trossard and Nwaneri have stepped in very well at a crucial juncture.
Think it’s clear we have to improve our attacking synergy especially at home as there have been some real shaky moments. But you can’t really argue with the results given the fixtures and injuries.
Really hoping for a proper crack at the domestic cups this year. This is a squad that can and should have the capacity to threaten all four competitions.
Of course we’ll be 14th in the league for distance covered. We’ve had 3 men sent off in 8 games lol, all of whom got sent off quite early in their games (before 50 minutes played lol).
Add up their would be distances and it probably raises us up fairly higher no?
Standards have dropped. Too many dead performances this season. Can’t just be Odegaard missing. Something has changed. Dunno what it is but this new style we are playing has made us weak in defense and pathetic in attack.
We pretty much had 9 first team players out there today against Newcastle and we came up with that performance. Mikel needs to find answers and soon or top 4 could be in danger.
First half of last season was much the same imo in terms of performances. Was only after the Dubai trip that we went crazy and started smashing teams by multiple goals to nil and earned that record goals scored in a PL season record.
I expect our form to improve, even if not as dramatically as it did last season, but I worry we’ve already given ourselves too much to do.
We had the same number of points after 8 games or something but I don’t remember being this unconvinced by us last season. I know we’ve had injuries and maybe that’s just not allowed us to settle into a rhythm and pattern so maybe it’s a bit of that, and of course, missing Ode for most of the season so far. But still, something is not right with us.
We aren’t as fluid in attack as we used to be, we aren’t able to pin teams in their own halves for long periods, we are barely creating any chances, and as defensive as we are, we can’t stop conceding. Not sure if it’s just a mentality thing where the players have taken their eye of the ball or what but something is off.
And not signing any offensive reinforcements in the Summer was a huge mistake, one that will cost us the title I feel.
