Ok, just a repost from an analysis I put in another thread. i think it applies here too Sorry for any redundance:-) The way I see it our situation is what it is due to a set of very different causes: 1. Somehow there seems to be complacency in the team after the CL cup. A bit of drive is gone in the old guard. 2. New signings that haven't paid of yet (Oscar, Marin - even Hazard had issues november/december) 3. Instability due to sacking of trainer that was loved but failed to deliver in the eyes of the board. 4. The arrival of the hated FSW - who seems to continue on RDM's tactics, only with much more rigid attacking lines. This is NOT resulting in a big increase in defensive stability, but more a decrease in our offensive capabilities (I am NOT going to mention Torres - cunt). This you can notive by the lack of 'fluidity' and interchanging of positions in the attacking trio (which was much more the case with RDM) 5. THE INTERIM STATUS - This one reminds me of the belgian national team, where after the devils failed to get a spot in the South Africa World cup, Vandereycken was replaced by ..... an interim coach Franky Vercauteren (former Anderlecht trainer). This resulted in SHIT performances of a team that lost all confidence and did not look up to the Interim Coach. Vercauteren quit his job, stating he didn't want to work with that team anymore. He also added there is nothing more ungrateful than being the mere interim I think this is pretty much the same situation here. Our players hate Rafa much like we do. You don't grow 'bigger' than yourself for a guy like him. He's hated, does stupid subs, keeps the faith in Torres which is backfiring confidence -wise. conclusion: he has NO authority anymore. 6. We are way too thin in the squad. We have a long term vision now maybe after a long time, but the lack of short term is killing us right now. It should be balanced. 7. The fashionable 4231 with the 'pivot' is really not creating the defensive stability it is designed for - nor does it generate enough attacking power (Torres), also because of the lack of connection between the 2 and the 31. We simply have a gap there - no pace in ball playing and too much lateral thinking. You can easily spot it because by the second half our maestros seem to be getting fed up with it and drop down to pick up the ball. Hence: even more loss of offensive force and loss of holding power up front resulting in quick deadly counters. even by fucking QPR, Reading and the likes. So .... 1. Sack Benitez and get a manager that has more 'status'. Someone the players can believe in that will be here for a long time. That will change their mind set. 2. Create Width in the team: an extra CM, get KDB (pivot + can fill in for the 3), Courtois (Turnbull sucks and oozes failure) and Lukaku (he does well and deserves a shot - much more than Torres who 'in extremis' is much more suited anywhere NOT in the target spot) back 3. Hope to god the board gives that manager freedom and time 4. Rethink the necessity of the ever present 4231, especially considering we haven't purchased anyone for the pivot and E lack compatibility there to pull it off. This is bad, we need true managerial courage to get out of the situation. Edit: sorry for the typos. Ipad writing is hard!
