Where we are in the League

...is this not just actually our level?

Are our players, individually and collectively a little better in our minds than they are on the pitch?

Individually, for instance, our 'star' players, our 'purples' are, on their day, capable of fitting to any of the top teams, imo. But, top players can play at that level consistently and ours, certainly for a while now, haven't done so. I'd argue I haven't seen so many misplaced passes from the 'big' teams-and I'm talking about fairly straightforward passes here-basics, if you like. And, again, this has been a feature of our play for long enough for it to be a big concern.

Are we where we are in the League not just because other teams are playing better at the moment but because they're just, well, better?

I would also add that I'm playing devil's advocate, in a way, because I'm honestly not sure myself.

Its almost like they are trying to reduce their transfer fees for January. I know these players are better than this.

I would FURTHER add ;) that, as someone pointed out about the Evertob game, that Eddie coached a win but the players weren't capable of finishing the chances Eddie's gameplan created for them.

Yes, he has his faults (not replacing his favourites being the main one for me) but our problems are about squad quality/depth, not Eddie, imo.

Agreed Zip.

This game though, on any other day Isaak would have had a hat-trick and Gordon would have put his chance away.

Very frustrating.

Any other season I would say. Because both Gordon and Isak has been poor so far this season.

Probably our best attacker this season, Barnes, isnt really a starter. Thats weird, but its simple really. Both him and Gordon is best at LW, and nothing special at RW.

Thats when you have to be creative and try something different. The next time we play like this and nothing is working, I would like to see it mixed up a bit. With Isak out right, Gordon in the middle and Barnes at the left. Or Even with Barnes in the middle. After all, hes got a better shot than Gorden, any day of the week, and probably better than Isak. At least outside the box.

Looks like everyone thinks it is only the finishing and the lack of transfers to strengthen up front?

I’m seeing issues all over the pitch…

Tino - wrong side of his man a lot of times and getting caught on in possession

Hall - loses the ball very cheaply a lot

Both lads still young, but Timo especially seems to have gone backwards when you compare his performances at the start of last season when Tripps was out.

Midfield looks like they aren’t really sure what they are supposed to be doing between them, but Bruno seems to want to do it all himself too often and we end up losing the ball most of the times. He’s most fouled player, but the amount of times the foul isn’t given is probably greater because he’s trying to do too much then losing it and it’s just down to trying to do too much, and not a foul, a lot of the time.

Gordon is trying to run past players to cut in and get a shot off his right foot.

Isak is all over, not sure what he’s been asked to do because it’s confusing the f**k out of me.

This isn’t just now, this is all season so far, but we’ve gone backwards a team… the style/identity is missing, we are so slow to play out from the back it is painful and by the time we get anywhere near the final third the opposition has had a chance to pack the box and we are trying to pass the ball around 6 men and the chances we are giving Isak especially are sh!te.

This is why I don’t think it is the finishing/lack of strengthening in the summer… it is the play to get it to somewhere a player can take a shot from is so f**king slow.

If I'm being 100% honest, Ian, I'm trying to avoid the elephant in the room.

At this moment in time, our league position is about correct, basing it on games we managed to win by playing ****e somehow and games we managed to draw or lose by playing well for most part, somehow.

They say everything evens out, and this is how I see it right now.

Collectively, this team/squad is capable of challenging for the Champions League as part of the next best group outside of the usual big darlings.

Once all the cogs realign I think we're more than capable of motoring along.

I dont agree that this team is capable to challenge for CL. No way, thats fantasy in my book.

Yes, this team has been in the CL before, but the other top 8-10 sides from the last few season have all strengthen key areas.

Only 3 from Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, Man U, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Tottenham to finish above us? There is no reality in that.

Then you got the likes of Brighton and Brentford as well... they will give us as fight as well.

I think top half is realistic, but thats about it.