We have a new manager with a new style of play, a whole bunch of new players including a totally changed defence, 3 strikers either injured or sulking, and we’re exactly where we finished last season. I’m not sure why anyone expected more at this stage. Indeed, if Disasi Han been a dick or Khalaili hadn’t missed a sitter we’d be 10th. Either way I wouldn’t get carried away with 10th and I’m not bed wetting over 16th.
I am p*ssed off that Sarr isn’t doing what we pay him for and disappointed that Wharton looks like a Championship midfielder currently but Sage deserves our support for now and indeed for the next 3 months while he and the rest of the newbies find their feet in the PL.
When i saw the fixtures and the big international gap after 5 league games i thought if we can get 5 or 6 points from those games i'd be reasonably happy.
Obviously i was pretty sure at least one of those would come against Ipswich, so it appears we might not hit that target. However, in Sage's defence
1. we had 12 away at the WC so pre-season was always going to be a joke and this would impact the start of our season (more so than some other teams due to our limited squad size)
2. Glasner was always going to bid for 2 or 3 of our players, which would destabilise things
3. Sage is new to the English game so needs time to adapt (same with Glasner)
4. Losing Lacroix, who was perfect for our formation, was a difficult gap to fill
5. After the excessive spending in Jan there would be limited funds in the transfer window
On top of that we've had the absence of both Mateta and Sarr who are so critical to the team and our goal threat - look how Glasner struggled in January without them.
Now the defence is a massive concern - Ipswich scored with 3 uncontested headers! which is clearly something Sage needs to sort ASAP and having Pino and Kamada as No10 is a concern BUT the bloke needs time.
A lot of what he says makes sense and the comments re Guessand and McNeil were refreshing IMHO (both looked lost when they came on as sub).
Similarly Canvot has looked like an accident waiting to happen in every game this season. Dropping him is a brave decision and we and the manager need to see a positive response from the player.
I think we all need to get behind him, at least until Christmas