Just pointing out that people living in glass houses are best advised not to throw stones. Apart from Chelsea why do you have to list sides that are beneath us and like your lot closer to the foot of the table? Quite illogical.
So ... after 8 games, playing some of our worst football, suffering injuries to KEY players ... we're above Arsenal, United, Everton, Spurs. Hopefully we can really kick on now!
Look this is simply the fact that this early in the season neither the top nor the bottom are really ever that far off. nobody can accumulate any more than 3x8 = 24 points... cheslea have 22!!! everyone else isn't on that run of form... however... the phfackt that we are on 13 points does not mean much. we could easily be on 11 had the ref blown up earlier v qpr... or qpr played it short. now........ the real truth is yes thankfully we have a scenario where 3rd to 8th is all to play for. thats great. we must WORK to deserve it. none of this bolloxology about it can only get better. we need to see real hard work and commitment to improve from 1 to 11. If the focus is put on individual and collective improvement the results will look after themselves. unfortunately QPR game occurred a full month after the west ham game and barring a bit of luck going our way in the qpr game we are not seeing one iota of improvement in terms of the defensive side, midfield possession or up front intensity and goal scoring. We've an end to injuries now.... barring the one guy who seems to matter. We need to see a consistent team selection and key players stepping up big time all over the park to deliver much much more. I've not seen one iota of set piece improvement, not one change in intensity levels out of badontelly and no inclination to change it up in the absence of sturridge. a month later.... things have to start changing!
What we need to do is go back to basics which made us successful last season: - Get Allen back in the midfield - Coutinho in the midfield/attack - Play the diamond (temp Sterling up front while Sturridge is out) - Get Sakho in the defence and build it around him! Get these players back into the first team so we're not trying to embed 6-7 new players at one time. Get some stability and continuity...
Look I would agree with back to basics totally. I am not sure if thats sahko or not. for the long term i'd suggest it is... but... its not working now. I'd like a settled back 4. I'd rather that include moreno than enrique personally but if a back 4 is played for 5 games in a row that'd sure be nice. I have to say that its depressing but our midfield is such a state that having henderons and allen play is vital.. its all about work rate. I'm not too pushe don coutinho, he's had a few shockers. He showed urgency off the bench and a bit of emotion in scoring. I want that so I would be telling him he needs to show that gain and put him on off the bench.... I'd be looking at lallana for CL and home games. he is too light weight for me. If we pick players who'll go the extra mile our results should improve... we'll see... i just feel badontelly won't do that for the next month.
only cos it might apply to everton if they manage to beat burnely in their next game too.... <whistle
I'd include Allen in that as well because our midfield has been poor since he's been injured. Not saying that he will instantly resolve the issue but it gives us the OPTION to change things when needed.
