Anybody still optimistic about this season?

[Norder]

.

I wonder how other Europa League teams are faring.....if they're found wanting in their home league games - and then using the EL games as and excuse - But really ?...come on - were a couple of games into the season, thats all....so are we seriously saying that tiredness is the root of our inadequacy - and anyway, it isn't like we've been running our legs off, only problem I can see is upstairs - the lack of active thinking, and it's conversion into movement...it's what separates the wheat from the chaff - so for me, is only a case of , can we thresh it out and lift our game - as said, it's all about the basics with Burnley, as in all honesty, they're a team of majority championship level PL pretenders....which as we've seen, can work - but lose that big strength....like in that simply solid defence and goal, and we're screwed, which is exactly what happened against Watford - that wasn't tiredness - just anemic Football - no more to it than that - IMO.

[ClaretinBudapest]

Could it be that we have been found out?We very rarely have a plan B now for all our time in the PL and the opposition know it.Another point to make is that we are good at keeping teams at bay at 0-0 and better still if we go in front but statistics show that when we go behind we are 99% bang on to lose all 3 points.As soon as we go on the attack we get punished against teams that know how to counter.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

There really is no rocket science in this.
Itinerary:
Report Manchester airport, Wednesday.
Play in Athens, Thursday.
Fly back to Manchester Friday morning.
Have a kip.
Report to Turf Moor Saturday morning.
Take a Coach trip to London.
Have a kip.
Play a high intensity game on Sunday.
Repeat and get ready for another week of madness.
If we really want to stay in the EPL, chuck this Europa League malarkey now!

[1959_60]

My biggest concern at the moment is our midfield.

We play with five in midfield - but only have five fit players there! Cork, JBG, Hendrick, Westwood and Lennon.

This week for instance we are playing in Greece Thursday night and Fulham on Sunday. How can we rotate the midfield?

If we pick up a knock in Greece then we are really struggling on Sunday.

It could all look a lot better if..

A/. We got knocked out of the Europa Cup
B/. Brady and Defour return in good nick.

Until then we are very obviously severely weakened, especially in midfield.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

We can change formation to accommodate injuries, but we are woefully light in the midfield, especially with Sick Note Defour and Robbie Brady both injured.

Despite the cacophony of fans whinging in the window it really was the one area we needed to seriously strengthen. That's why I thought bringing Jay Rod back was so *****, because he gives you so many different options.

It's not like we haven't done this before, we got relegated when Deano was injured, leaving Jones and Arfield to go from January to May as our only midfield options whilst playing in the Premier League. Bonkers!

I never want us to get beat, but just for Thursday I will make an exception.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

I wrote V-i-T-A-L! Must find out why we can't write VIT AL?

[oldcolner]

BT
It’s because Vita*football is a competitor site
Bit daft you can use football but can’t use Vita* separately. One for CM bosses to sort

[ClaretinBudapest]

I rest my case.

[CaspertheClaret]

Yeah I think you are right CIB - lets all go on a mass suicide mission. Its terrible times being a Burnley fan.

I cant think of anything worse than being a Clarets fan right now - I would offer to hold your case but I have a noose in one hand and a cut throat razor in the other.

[Altobelli]

I rest my case.

Don't worry CIB, when we are out of the Europa and our "stars" Brady and D4 return we'll be O.K.

If you believe the above I'll take some of your medication