Not our worst performance but in some ways the most worrying

The energy was there, and the effort. But there was a definite lack of focus from the first whistle- it was messy, chaotic and undisciplined. The result was unfortunate but, as with so many other games his season, the performance just wasn't good enough.

I am beginning to think that there is some distraction behind the scenes and I wonder if this relates to the Edu situation.

Thank god for the international break as I would think these players need a break from this environment. The way our season has gone so far you wouldn't be surprised if Odegaard comes back injured again:-(

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Originally Posted by Peter

The energy was there, and the effort. But there was a definite lack of focus from the first whistle- it was messy, chaotic and undisciplined. The result was unfortunate but, as with so many other games his season, the performance just wasn't good enough.

I am beginning to think that there is some distraction behind the scenes and I wonder if this relates to the Edu situation.

Thank god for the international break as I would think these players need a break from this environment. The way our season has gone so far you wouldn't be surprised if Odegaard comes back injured again:-(

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Norway aren't going to call him up, apparently. Definte lack of something at the club, everything seems a bit laboured. Beat Chelsea though and everything will be all good in the world.

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Originally Posted by PSRB

Norway aren't going to call him up, apparently. Definte lack of something at the club, everything seems a bit laboured. Beat Chelsea though and everything will be all good in the world.

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Bit test on the title credentials. I still think their defence is a bit sus and it’s looking like Palmer could be out.
It would be a big win at this stage. A loss would get the African based Twitter users baying for blood. :hehe:

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Originally Posted by PSRB

Beat Chelsea though and everything will be all good in the world.

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As you said before, the pressure's off now.

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Originally Posted by redgunamo

As you said before, the pressure's off now.

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Is it? Or is it just a different kind of pressure?

We need to get to benidorm ASAP:-)

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Originally Posted by PSRB

Norway aren't going to call him up, apparently. Definte lack of something at the club, everything seems a bit laboured. Beat Chelsea though and everything will be all good in the world.

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Without wanting to pile on, at what stage do we stop thinking about martinelli situation as an issue of form or confidence and start seeing it as something else? Since the start of last season, over 45 games, he has fewer goals and assists than Declan Rice. Is anyone really out of form for that long?

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Originally Posted by Peter

Without wanting to pile on, at what stage do we stop thinking about martinelli situation as an issue of form or confidence and start seeing it as something else? Since the start of last season, over 45 games, he has fewer goals and assists than Declan Rice. Is anyone really out of form for that long?

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He and Trossard doesn't work, start Martinelli and then bring Trossard on for last 20 minutes so.

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Originally Posted by PSRB

He and Trossard doesn't work, start Martinelli and then bring Trossard on for last 20 minutes so.

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Truth!

Trossard's form appears to have fallen off a cliff, mind...

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Originally Posted by PSRB

He and Trossard doesn't work, start Martinelli and then bring Trossard on for last 20 minutes so.

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Trossard has been awful recently. Even if there isn't a general problem in the dressing room there is definitely something up with him. Wouldn't be too surprised if he left in January.

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Originally Posted by Peter

The energy was there, and the effort. But there was a definite lack of focus from the first whistle- it was messy, chaotic and undisciplined. The result was unfortunate but, as with so many other games his season, the performance just wasn't good enough.

I am beginning to think that there is some distraction behind the scenes and I wonder if this relates to the Edu situation.

Thank god for the international break as I would think these players need a break from this environment. The way our season has gone so far you wouldn't be surprised if Odegaard comes back injured again:-(

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Since the first match of the season, against Wolves, we've been poor imo.

maybe, the Villa match was one where we played well(ish) but had to rely on Raya / poor finishing.

Has there been a match this season, in the league, where you have thought "we were great"? (exc. the sp*rs result - and statistically, they did us over)

We are nowhere near as good as we were last season imo

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Originally Posted by Peter

Is it? Or is it just a different kind of pressure?

We need to get to benidorm ASAP:-)

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Certainly a different kind of pressure. The pressure we actually want is the kind where we're going to win the league. On the other hand, the pressure that derives from the realisation that we are NOT going to win the league brings a different level of pressure, even discomfort entirely. I doubt even a week in Benidorm would help with that.

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Originally Posted by IUFG

Truth!

Trossard's form appears to have fallen off a cliff, mind...

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He was never intended to have to control games for ninety minutes every week. When he arrived and when he comes on as a sub, his instructions are very simple and very clear; create goals, score goals.

Martinelli basically wears out the RB for 60-70 minutes and then Trossard comes on and exploits this.

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Originally Posted by Peter

Without wanting to pile on, at what stage do we stop thinking about martinelli situation as an issue of form or confidence and start seeing it as something else? Since the start of last season, over 45 games, he has fewer goals and assists than Declan Rice. Is anyone really out of form for that long?

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Very few wingers are brilliant season after season after season.

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Originally Posted by redgunamo

Very few wingers are brilliant season after season after season.

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Yeah. They tend to play for the teams that win the league :-(

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Originally Posted by PSRB

Martinelli basically wears out the RB for 60-70 minutes and then Trossard comes on and exploits this.

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Quite right.

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Originally Posted by redgunamo

Certainly a different kind of pressure. The pressure we actually want is the kind where we're going to win the league. On the other hand, the pressure that derives from the realisation that we are NOT going to win the league brings a different level of pressure, even discomfort entirely. I doubt even a week in Benidorm would help with that.

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Well I think we're all agreed then. We're under pressure

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Originally Posted by redgunamo

He was never intended to have to control games for ninety minutes every week. When he arrived and when he comes on as a sub, his instructions are very simple and very clear; create goals, score goals.

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This is very true. His job is to make stuff happen, not shape the game.

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Originally Posted by Peter

Yeah. They tend to play for the teams that win the league :-(

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Which is why we ought to have won it last season, I guess.

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Originally Posted by redgunamo

Which is why we ought to have won it last season, I guess.

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and Doku is enormously overrated.

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Originally Posted by PSRB

and Doku is enormously overrated.

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He creates a lot of problems, not all of them for the opposition

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Originally Posted by redgunamo

He was never intended to have to control games for ninety minutes every week. When he arrived and when he comes on as a sub, his instructions are very simple and very clear; create goals, score goals.

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Look how he sulked when he had to give way to Martinelli earlier in the season. He scored and gave the thousand yard sulk to the crowd.
Know your limits and all that..

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Originally Posted by Peter

The energy was there, and the effort. But there was a definite lack of focus from the first whistle- it was messy, chaotic and undisciplined. The result was unfortunate but, as with so many other games his season, the performance just wasn't good enough.

I am beginning to think that there is some distraction behind the scenes and I wonder if this relates to the Edu situation.

Thank god for the international break as I would think these players need a break from this environment. The way our season has gone so far you wouldn't be surprised if Odegaard comes back injured again:-(

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It’s not an Edu thing. It’s confidence. The rhythm has been interrupted by all the injuries, suspensions and having to accommodate Merino.
We‘ll bounce back, just need to win a couple of games.