Think we are 3rd for clean sheets maybe 4th this season
And think only 2 clubs have conceded less - city and Arsenal
āPoor in every aspectā
The last month has been poor but before that we were solid
Hmm, Iām in the camp that says this has been a longer-term set of issues that has come home to roost and kicked us in the teeth at the fag-end of the season.
Sadly, iād say the game away at Arsenal is where it began unravelling. We were unbeaten (except by VAR at Spurs) if I remember, and suddenly we looked worse than ordinary. A very good outfit ran rings round us and made us look very silly at times.
Since then, individual and team mistakes, terrible decision making, injuries, Afcon, JĆ¼rgenās departure and a mix of bad luck and wild finishing have become the narrative that the fans, media and probably now the players themseves have swallowed. Thereās too many excuses there. Because it keeps going wrong in the same ways, we seem to expect itāll go wrong again, so it does - and we have a ready made set of reasons why. A self-fulfilling prophecy.
I feel let down by the leadership on the field first and foremost. How much do we miss Hendo and Milnerās presence in that regard?
I know Hendo wasnāt everyoneās cup o tea but he led superbly, he saw what was happening, what needed to happen and communicated constantly. He was always encouraging and motivating. Even the times i heard him give out bollockings he did it well, inclusively and positively.
Now the leadership we seem to get out there is the throw-your-arms-in-the-air, āWhat the F**k are you doing?ā variety. Achieves nothing and creates doubt and division. Its what kids do in school. No collective ownership of a problem, just a rush to blame someone. Anyone but me.
VIrgilās interview after Goodison is eviddnce of that. Right or wrong, it shouldnāt have been for the public.
If JĆ¼rgenās era (not to mention Hillsboro, ticket prices or anything else) has taught this club and fanbase anything, its that togetherness and belief can achieve anything; division and blame achieves the square root of F**k all.
YNWA