We were in a mess when we lost 3-0 at home to Everton, followed by that ill-fated trip to Denmark. We had a pretty terrible system for those as well. As I said, no worse than this time last year.
A 6th placed finish which could have been so much better had we not started the season poorly last year. That was my point a month ago, whilst we were still in the position of needing bodies. It might all turn out fine after August, but the season is 38 games long not 34 or 35. For once can we please have things in place for game one, so that maybe we can hit the ground running. I haven't seen or heard Virgil's post-match interview in depth, but I get the impression that he's suggesting that we're risking turning this into a wasted season. And I'm not sure too many would disagree. This start really is not much of a surprise to me.
And there were rumblings last year before we beat a very poor Norwich at home in the 4th game, after they had a player sent off in the first half. Wasn't really until we beat Chelsea 3-1 away that we started to look good.
Precisely the criticism I gave after the United game. We're passing our way into decent areas then not trusting ourselves to make something happen. Some bravery would go a long way.
At which point we changed the system. We ceased with the long balls that we were playing to begin the season, upped the tempo significantly, and even changed the formation later when things went sour. The question is whether Puel will do similar.
Absolutely. Around Xmas there were many getting more than a little concerned about getting dragged into a relegation scrap. Not saying that CP is necessarily the answer, but we do need to get to a position where the question is fair to ask.
This is what worries me. He does come across as being stubborn, but I think a modern manager will listen to his senior players etc, but only time will tell if Puel will?
Agreed. Unlike last year, our manager is new - we just need to be patient and see what happens, it's far too early to be bed-wetting, in my opinion.
Which could yet be one the biggest plusses of keeping hold of Fonte. If something needs saying, he would presumably happily say it.
While some of your post is right I must pick up some things: Tadic was garbage. Our only creative player until he came off? If you are talking about what he can do then yes but he wasn't doing it. Apart from a good cross in the first half he was terrible. I agree that Targett was superb and Austin looked fit and lean to me and after not having much game time he needs to play some games before fully evaluating him. What I would say though is that Austin is a player that will thrive off good service and we are not providing any service at all. Redmond played OK but this formation is garbage for a player like him and I was calling for him to go off for Long before half time. Would be much better to play with Austin up front and Redmond on the right of a 3 behind. Davis is wasted in this formation and it is showing with him not looking that good. He still has quick feet and speed of thought but it leaves him with no outlet other than back to the defence. I do think we would be better to persevere with Austin but like others we have to change formation and that allows Long/Redmond/Tadic/Rodriguez to cover the wider of the 3 behind. The problem today is that while Tadic is one of our only creative outlets he puts these kind of performances in an alarming number of times and over the past 2 seasons he has had a few superb games followed by a few very poor anonymous games. He needs to improve his consistency but he is not a tip of the diamond player that is for sure.
It's not too early for questions to be asked about the style of play, though. Last year, Koeman got (deserved) criticism for the way we were playing, and he changed it. If Puel does likewise, he will then get credit. If he keeps trying to force this to work, well... I've never called for the firing of a manager. Not when we were hanging around the relegation zone with Nigel. Not when the annual malaise hit. But if we're still playing the same way and getting the same results after the Swansea match, I'll start looking forward to the post-Puel Saints.
I don't know why we're trying Redmond in this position. He just seems to me to be an out and out winger. Why buy a winger and play him in a different position? Just because he has a few tricks doesn't mean he can become a new and different player overnight. I still think VVD could be a centre forward though!
Quite agree, Targett has improved a lot on last season, but we missed Bertrand badly then and we miss him now. No one can pretend the start to this season has been anywhere close to good, but it's not been as bad as those losses to Midgetland and the arse kicking handed to us by Everton last season. It's a new manager and I don't have the same faith as I had in Koeman to turn it around, but that's only because I don't know him and don't find him as charismatic. He of course deserves the opportunity to turn it around. One tiny glimmer is I think we improved 2nd half against both Watford & this afternoon and this will be down to tactical adjustments from the manager
