It's hard not to go OTT after that display, but it was another shocking second half performance. What happens to us after half time? Do we lack the fitness of other teams who are able to compete for 90 minutes? Do we lack the same fight and determination of other teams? What is it? At the moment we look to be heading only one way this season, and we don't have the players who are used to being in this situation. We stroll about as if we are still the team we were 2 seasons ago. In the position we are in now we need competitors who are willing to stand up and be counted. Tielemans is becoming less effective and slower to get back every game. Barnes is never going to get back and put in a meaningful tackle. Central midfield lacks pace. Central defence lacks pace. We have a goalkeeper who has spent most of his career as a second string. Johnny Evans is supposed to be our defensive organiser. Is he not up to the job or is he just working with team mates who aren't up to it? And then there's the manager. It's fine standing on the touchline looking cool and calm when things are going right, but is that working now? I don't want him running up and down the line like a headless chicken and ranting incoherently, but we need to see some kind of reaction from him when his players are getting so many things wrong on the pitch.
The next 2 games are against Palace and Leeds. Both of these are fast, high pressing sides. I'm afraid we are going to get overwhelmed and battered by both if something doesn't change. Leeds are particularly susceptible to the quick counter, but I'm sure we'll continue to faff about playing slow balls across the back line while they get into their defensive positions, and then we'll get caught in possession. We need a better plan B, because at the moment plan B seems to be to repeat plan A.
