Same conversation a season later. We have so many glaring problems that have not been addressed. Add to that a manager that likes to play defensive football, park the bus, etc... and we're playing to expectations.
Today was every bit the players fault as it was the managers. So many poor passes, touches, half-hearted challenges, and mindless trotting around midfield while Brighton were running their socks off and pressing the ball when they did not have it. Tactics aside, we just did not show up. The players should be embarrassed to collect their paycheck this week.
We need better players in key positions, just like we did last season, the season before that, and the season before that. CB, FB, and RW. We also need a striker that can get behind the defense or poach a goal. Lukaku is one dimensional and hardly ever wins the ball off the hoof. We've addresses our midfield but for reasons unknown have neglected to address the flanks outside of LW. We've tried to address the CB pairing but it has failed with Bailly and Lindelof. Those two together belong at a mid table club. We also need a manager that trusts his players. Jose does not trust this lot. That's obvious.
We'll be starting Smalling and Bailly against Spurs and it won't be any better. Question is, which players will Jose through under the bus before next week. Martial won't start. Young and Mata should be put to pasture. I expect Matic to be rushed back if it's not fully fit.
What I don't get is that we played the entire preseason with 3 at the back. For what reason? If preseason results do not matter, play the fecking system you plan on playing in the league.
Bottom line, we're stuck with what we got until January at least. Everyone needs to stop crying and start earning the massive wages they're on. If Jose does not get this current group firing before then and show that we can compete, I don't see us buying anyone in January. I have a gut feeling Jose could be gone by then if we continue on like we did today. We've not left square one since 2013 and based on the attitude of the players and manager, we're going to be stuck there for a long time.