| Ten games into PL season 07:24 - Nov 3 with 1037 views | PioneerBlue |
Interested to see where people are with regards to how the season has gone, and where it is going based on those first ten games.
Here are my observations to kick things off.
It’s been even more challenging than I first thought it could be, and I thought it was going to be very challenging for club like us that has had to build a PL squad in one summer.
In the years away from the PL it’s changed by all recognisable features, basically the ball looks similar from afar and refs are still poor, possibly poorer than previous, recency bias perhaps.
Team structure, patterns, intensity, game management, officiating, pitch quality, stadia, media and social media interests, it’s all different. However the standing of referee is still as skewed to bigger clubs as it was.
GK
For me Muric is fine, it must be difficult adjusting to a new team and home and being the keeper when you are the team that is likely to lose 20 odd games in a season, and likely to be under pressure for high proportions of all games. He’s not the reason we are in the position we are in and we shouldn’t single players out in a squad game, that’s the work KMck’s is paid for. He’s made mistakes for sure, but most / all the players have. He will get better, like all the players we hope this is urgently to give us a chance of staying up.
Defensive side of the game
We’ve had problems adjusting. New keeper with new defenders. We’ve made persistent mistakes to concede goals often at crucial times, sometimes in quick succession. Highs have been Greaves, Leif is growing every week, even Ben J started to look like the RB we thought we’d bought last Sat. There has been too much rotation here, most because of injury. Defensive group needs to be better, more settled in the next ten, get on the page with the goal keeper particularly in the pressure moments, and contribute goals from set plays.
Midfield
Morsy is playing his way into the season after the flurry of yellows and slightly lower key performances, understandable when playing likes of ManC and Lpool. KP looks better each week too. Cajuste looks like a player that we expect he should be although games limited and sub cameos. Midfield needs to assist more with protecting the 18 yard box and work better to regain control when we have the periods of limited possession, help keep the ball recycled in last third, back to the chap and L1, confidence is key, go all the way back if need be, don’t keep losing in transition. There is much more to come from the engine and that gives me hope for the next ten.
Forwards
The group behind the striker is potentially a place where we’ve had trouble. Limited goal impacts, Szmodics aside. A few players not really able to get to the speed and trouble opposition. Chappers has been a bright spark in last two. Here we are really finding our way both in terms of goals but also control of the game high up the pitch. We’ve conceded goals in transition when this group should be helping retain the ball. This group has to start really contributing goals and supporting more to keep the ball all over the pitch in the next ten to help the whole team perform.
Striker
It’s a bright spot. Two strikers that look immediately able to work at the level and probably higher. These two give hope for the next ten.
In summary, very difficult start, looked like we found our feet, we’ve then been knocked back and had to deal with mounting losses and injuries. Not winning in the first ten is not the end of the season, but it’s far from ideal. It makes the rest of the season very tough on an average points basis, margins are slimmer. I probably hoped to have been on 10 points (dream world 12-14) ish by now.
Next ten games
What do we need, 4 wins to feel like we’ve arrived? I think KMck will have a bit of a reset mentality. We will start looking more at home, knowing what it takes to defend in a shape, looking harder to beat but be more clear how we score goals. More complete performances as we get to the pace and intensity of the PL. It will come but the time is now otherwise the season starts to get away from us very quickly. No one is expect 6-10 wins in the last 18 games right now are they even if we do prove to be a second half season team.
Im quite hopeful in the next ten we will see the team grow further and bring in at least 10 points. A few less injury issues would be helpful too but we then lead into a crucial Jan window period where anything could happen for a club based on club standing at the time.
Interested in other more considered views!
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| Ten games into PL season on 07:45 - Nov 3 with 958 views | textbackup |
Huge wake up call in what’s needed in terms of quality and physicality to just compete at this level.
Chuffed that we’ve shown we can give teams a game, and create chances.
Not chuffed at the mistakes we have in us each week that are leading to goals.
Dont really care if we go down as likely the ‘buy the best championship players’ approach will see us challenge for the top 6. Then hopefully back up with a squad full of PL experienced players, and give it a better go next time round. |  |
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| Ten games into PL season on 07:50 - Nov 3 with 929 views | Chrisd |
We are still very much in the fight, however if we finish 4th from bottom come May we’ve had a terrific season and that’s the reality of our situation. I appreciate others will have higher ambitions but I just don’t see that, the 10 game mark gives a good indication of where we are as a side in this league and though we have shown we can compete we are still too naive in games, which has cost us dearly.
I still remain hopeful, but I’m very realistic too. | |
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| Ten games into PL season on 08:16 - Nov 3 with 821 views | Churchman |
I agree with much of the considered views in the OP, especially the difference in the PL now to 20+ years and the chasm between the divisions. The summary on GK, defence, midfield and attack - nothing to add.
Overall, we stood no chance doing a Norwich and not giving it a go. I’m happy we have tried to seriously stay in the division and progress despite the enormous cost and probable outcome - relegation. Failure to win in the first 10 means survival is a long shot now.
The team has looked bits and pieces to me, not helped by injuries and now suspensions. Not joined up. I’ve seen players looking for team mates when they have the ball rather than knowing where they are. Defenders looking at each other and struggling, especially with a midfield that has at times left them exposed.
It’s felt like we have to be at our absolute best to compete with teams not at their best. It hasn’t taken much to see us off in some of the games. We haven’t been good enough.
On the upside, you can see the players really trying. Yesterday was the first time I’ve seen us truly control the majority of a game and deserve to win. Some of the players have grown into it and others are still improving.
Your last paragraph reads a little optimistic to me, but you never know. What I am pretty sure of is that we will look more settled, competitive and cohesive in the second half of the season. We keep going; striving and never give up. If they do that, even the worst outcome is ok by me. |  | | |
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