Looking back over the last number of seasons there has been a remarkable difference in the teams collective and individual attitude, passing, attacking intent and results.
If for example you look at our first season in the Premier league, our passing was crisp and accuracy was good. Movement was good so players got into good positions to receive the ball and you could see that they wanted the ball.
Also we had decent variety in attacking with midfielders and wing backs turning up centrally at times. The early part of that season Lundstram surprised us with his energy and goals and for most of that season almost everyone played well.
The second season the wheels came off the wagon. All the aspects that we excelled at previously disappeared. Individual and collective performances dropped and we became slow and boring. We became afraid of the game and less motivated.
Under Slav, it did not gel and we continued with poor form and slow play. Defensive frailties were exposed. The change in formation he employed was not comfortable for most of the players but it did late on show some promise for the likes of Ndiaye and MGW.
Hecky comes in and we get a consistent return to the trusted 5 at the back. We started winning games and picking up points. The confidence has been on an upward curve. Performances have been better but still not to where they were.
So whether by aging players, a lack of fresh legs in central midfield or still not fully playing without fear, the performances are not where they were. Individual and collectively our passing isn't as crisp. Movement, attitude and attacking intent are still somewhere in between our best season and last season.
If you look at MGW he plays without fear and has contributed significantly to the team. But with Fleck's Norwood's and Hourihanes aging legs it maybe that these players have also been playing more conservatively. Berge due to injuries is now showing glimses of wanting to get on the ball and we saw at Birmingham more variety in our attacking play.
We are going in the right direction but we don't have the legs to perform like Fulham.
If for example you look at our first season in the Premier league, our passing was crisp and accuracy was good. Movement was good so players got into good positions to receive the ball and you could see that they wanted the ball.
Also we had decent variety in attacking with midfielders and wing backs turning up centrally at times. The early part of that season Lundstram surprised us with his energy and goals and for most of that season almost everyone played well.
The second season the wheels came off the wagon. All the aspects that we excelled at previously disappeared. Individual and collective performances dropped and we became slow and boring. We became afraid of the game and less motivated.
Under Slav, it did not gel and we continued with poor form and slow play. Defensive frailties were exposed. The change in formation he employed was not comfortable for most of the players but it did late on show some promise for the likes of Ndiaye and MGW.
Hecky comes in and we get a consistent return to the trusted 5 at the back. We started winning games and picking up points. The confidence has been on an upward curve. Performances have been better but still not to where they were.
So whether by aging players, a lack of fresh legs in central midfield or still not fully playing without fear, the performances are not where they were. Individual and collectively our passing isn't as crisp. Movement, attitude and attacking intent are still somewhere in between our best season and last season.
If you look at MGW he plays without fear and has contributed significantly to the team. But with Fleck's Norwood's and Hourihanes aging legs it maybe that these players have also been playing more conservatively. Berge due to injuries is now showing glimses of wanting to get on the ball and we saw at Birmingham more variety in our attacking play.
We are going in the right direction but we don't have the legs to perform like Fulham.
