So many things need to change to turn this round.
But, for me, when the game starts and things start to go south, you have one person on the pitch who can be looked to and turn things round. Sure, the manager can swap out players, but if what he has at his disposal is not a marked upgrade to what is on the pitch, then I guess there are tactics to be changed - Hmm, we have Ange..
So that leaves the Captain on the pitch to influence players, bollock them, lead them, show fight. I love Son, god knows I have sung his name from the terraces in the past more times than I can count. But, that Captains badge must weight about 10 tons because it just weighs him down. Fine when we win, but when we need to dig deep I just don't see anything. I really don't want to dig him out, even though I am, but he has been awful in so many games this Season and last to a lesser degree.
His whole demeanour, the sloping shoulders, the facial expressions. It is not the look of a leader when things are going badly for us. He needs to be used to his strengths and in a the correct position on the pitch. I would use him either as a Sub, or for the first 45 mins. Anymore and it just isn't working. He may be great in the changing room and training pitch, but in the middle of a game, I just am not seeing a Captain who will lead the troops into a fight.
Fix this one thing and then we can work on the others.
Anyway..
COYS