It's not an excuse, I said the result was poormif you read my comment. What I am saying is to disregard the fact that ensurroundings of the whole game saw us without Aurier, Foyth, Vertonghen, Walker-Peters, Sessegnon, Ndombele, Dier, Wanyama, Lo Celso, Eriksen, Dele and it being only Sonny's first competitive game since May is short sighted in my opinion.
Yes it was a shit result, no excuses but the above injury/ unavailable list isn't an excuse, it's a fact. 11 out and one making his first start in the PL sine we lost to Bournemouth away last season. Any team with such disjointed areas will suffer. I'm not saying that is why we lost, just to not ignore what effects that could potentially bring.
Sammy does keep pointing out that it isn't about the last 4 games granted but then I keep saying about the only two tables that matter are the one from last season after 38 games and the one this season how things currently stand. 9 of our first team starters made it all the way to the last weekend of the World Cup and had 3 pre-season days with us, another two only had 2-3 weeks pre-season after making it to the knockout rounds. Sonny was the only one not to have his pre-season impacted through the WC and even he suffered because he had to play not just one but two international tournaments mid season for South Korea. Let's go through the issues that surrounded our season last season just so people understand that it was a freak season:
- Lloris, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Dembele, Rose, Trippier, Dier, Dele, Kane all made it to the last weekend of the WC & had 2-3 days with the group before the PL season began.
- Eriksen & Sanchez made it to the knockout rounds thus had an extended break.
- Sonny also had a slightly extended break but missed two spells away trying to overcome military service and playing in tournaments for South Korea. Two mid season international tournaments is unheard of.
- We had stadium delays that saw us have to play pretty much the whole season in a half filled, irate and miserable Wembley stadium and crowd. Once again no home advantage and the whole club felt flat because of the let down of it.
- A new bedding in period at a stadium historically shows erratic form. Many forget that it's still new to us and the players have only been there 7-8 times still wi many fans still to visit it or know their way around their new sit next to folk or the stadium itself. Got to let the fleshy parts of our home become our home.
- The first team in PL history not to add/freshen up their squad and the stale feeling/ ridicule that came with. We all know the importance of fresh blood in a group.
- A horrific injury list that saw us lose multiple players for 15+ games per season.
Player - The Injury Thread
Could really do with Aurier coming back, watching Tripps last night was just so painful. His positioning without the ball is as if he is the fastest player on the pitch. Routinely gave quicker players than him way too much space.www.thefightingcock.co.uk
I know our form has been shit but last season with the WC and stadium transitions meaning lethargic, burnout feelings all around we need to let it slide and focus on the future. The club is in great nick even after the worst preparation I recall for a team so it can focus solely on its football.
Wow you are thorough i will give you that. I thought the same for alot of last season aswell but you can ready tell there are so many things not right and like i said you can have different players out but you can still play with intensity and aggression and look hungry to win
Only time will tell like i said valid points that i also used for a large part of last season