That was a very poor showing again today. Now we all know the players to improve matters are there. Expectation has been high but even the media had us down as contenders, so tbf we should be doing much, much better. There have been moments in games where we see what they are capable of but they seem to be flashes of good play that on a given day teams can do. Our issue is not so much a slow start but more a concerning start this time. There have been a lot of changes around the club and new players. But last years top two scorers have not shown upyet? Service to them has been sparce to say the least, so I don't put blame on them. Team selections have been somewhat strange at times. Bassette is a raw talent from French 2nd division and I'm sure was bought for development, yet he has had starts. Injuries are a worry, but that can be down to several factors as with the style and implementation of the play. AND that rest primarily with MR's and his new coaches. So yes it's time to point a finger firmly in that direction. Those changes after Vivash departed look to be a wrong choice. MR's must address this quickly. Secondly, the players we have in this 'deeper' squad all want to play, but you can't please everyone. We are not Man City dropping Grealish one week and playing the next. We must find our core side as the first pick and others must earn the right to be considered. Midfield has been staring us in the face in all 7 games for lack of a 4th man in there. We have not yet controlled one game. Even Oxford outplayed us in there while we some how won. We lost playmakers in O'Hare (big mistake to let him go to a rival) and Palmer who was showing in glimpses what he brought to the balance of the side. Torp is clearly a talent but needs game time and on the evidence he and Rudoni both would benefit from some nurtured coaching ala Vivash me thinks. Yes it's silly to harp on about Vivash but if the current situation continues the clear evidence is there from the training ground and we are in danger of losing the dressing room which has been on sucvh a high the last couple of seasons. So what's the dynamic affecting it? Can't be MR's as he has been magnificent since he returned. But it's on him to sort it and if that means tough decisions then so be it. These players should be challenging at the top end. I hear you say only 7 games in but there has been little in our style of play to indicate it will suddenly 'click' and get markedly better. A whole week to prepare for this game and yet we looked like we hadn't touched the training ground. Injuries are far too common and once players start arguing with each other on the pitch, like today, then it's time to have a sit down and make the changes that will give new impetus. I'm confident that will happen, but it must be now before the confidence in what we said the season could be drains away from the team and the club as a whole.
Sorry for the rant but it's such an annoyance now. Blackburn will clearly fancy continuing their good start. We have a chance to come out and put things right.