Second half fade

[oldcolner]

What is going on? We seem to lose the plot having done well first half v Aberdeen, Southampton, Watford and Olympiakos, maybe more! Do they work us out at half time or are we unfit?
Something needs fixing.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

What is going on? We seem to lose the plot having done well first half v Aberdeen, Southampton, Watford and Olympiakos, maybe more! Do they work us out at half time or are we unfit?
Something needs fixing.

Yes indeed OC. Let's ring the opposition up before we play them and tell them to allow us to roll them over?

[oldcolner]

Yes indeed OC. Let's ring the opposition up before we play them and tell them to allow us to roll them over?

That’s a glib answer to a serious question BT. Last night was partly due to ref nibbling. Southampton partly due to Danny, and us letting him have space. That’s twice we’ve conceded two goals in short order after half time, what do the get to drink??

[The Bedlington Terrier]

Not sure what level of football you played at OC, but in fairly two sided contests there are periods in a game when one gets on the front foot and the other team stutters.

I was at the Watford game and IMHO we lost concentration straight after half time and if you do that playing on the top table of English and European football you get punished, quickly and badly!

[oldcolner]

No level really! Yes I understand but not every game. Southampton we faded, Aberdeen Home we faded, Watford, Olympiacos.
However it happened again. No shots on target in the second half while they had loads.
Perhaps a shot of Viagra at half time might get them ready to be up for it!!

[The Bedlington Terrier]

To many high intensity games in much to short a period might just explain it OC?

[Supersub6]

I think that you are correct BT and I have been trying to think when they train if they have been playing Thursday night and have twice played extra time at home and have travelled back after the other three Thursday games.
We have played two away games after returning from Istanbul and Athens and both PL games saw us travelling long distances, this ust take its toll even though they travel in comfort these days.
When did they train and work on how to play against the different opponents?

[The Bedlington Terrier]

Sinkov alluded to this factor in June when the qualification bonhomie was at its peak. The timetable is bonkers, the demands of the EPL are too great to be kicking off games knackered.

I know the lads are super fit and all that, but SD is not getting time to prepare the team properly for games and it's showing.

[ClaretinBudapest]

Sinkov alluded to this factor in June when the qualification bonhomie was at its peak. The timetable is bonkers, the demands of the EPL are too great to be kicking off games knackered.

I know the lads are super fit and all that, but SD is not getting time to prepare the team properly for games and it's showing.

He had time in April and May BT.....

[The Bedlington Terrier]

It's pretty clear now CiB that our recruitment team are not fit for purpose.

With Defour in a more or less permanent state of knee knack and Brady seriously injured at the time, coupled to the departures of Marney and Arfield, it was very obvious we had to strengthen our midfield.

God help us if Cork and/or Westwood get injured!