This match proves that the Ole‘s overhaul of this team is far from complete (and likely that he still has some big managerial lessons to learn as well). In some ways, we’re clearly making progress. On balance, it was a good performance against a decent side. Some of the passing and buildup play was impressive and we should have easily won the game. That said, it’s clear that this team still has a weak underbelly, with a propensity for huge mistakes in key moments. It cost us valuable points today. Ole clearly doesn’t trust his bench, which is going to be a big problem as the season wears on and the inevitable injuries hit.
For me, though, there’s one major problem that sticks out. There’s absolutely a lack of leadership from the back. None of De Gea, Lindelof or Maguire are true leaders on the pitch. They’ve shown several times this season alone that they can’t be trusted and will bottle it when the chips are down. That reverberates through the whole team, and therefore everyone gets edgy when, for example, we’re trying to hold a one goal lead and see a game out. Until that’s corrected, this team won’t win titles. They don’t all have to go, but something needs to change. The obvious move is the one that most fans (as well as past and current Managers) are crying out for - a new center back. If we bring someone in, they not only need pace, they need to be able to command that back line. Until we find someone to do that, we’ll just be spinning our wheels.
