Are you behind the style of football??
Our style is certainly behind the times
No I really don't enjoy watching us at the minute, it feels like a chore. The midfield is a major problem though. When we have injuries there (which is pretty much always), we struggle to compete and retain possession to sustain attacks. The only way around that is to sign better players. We also need a new right hand side with pace because too often we are extremely lopsided in how we attack. This has been really evident when Coleman has been out and that's been quite often this season. I'm fine with keeping Seamus next season but we need to sign his replacement urgently. He's still capable but his best days have past and he is also injury prone now.
Take James out and we struggle to create chances also. We need to sign another option to play his position because James will only ever be able to start maybe 50-60% of matches. You build the team around others and slot James in to compliment things when he is fit.
In short, the football improves when the weaknesses in the squad are improved. 2 injuries and we are playing players who are out of their depth at this level.
All I want to start seeing from Carlo is better football. Doesn't mean I want Martinez, style over substance. But we need to start seeing something we can build on.
Acknowledge injuries are making that difficult, but then we have to look internally at why we get so many injuries and what we can do to change that.
Everyone wants to see better football but in the games we've tried to be expansive this season at home, we have been badly exposed defensively. The midfield needs quality and depth. The whole system in certain matches (like last night) is compromised to try and help an inept and immobile midfield. When we improve the squad and keep our players fit then the football will improve.
We haven't been able to name a steady line up at any point this season since the October internationals. I'm a big believer in consistency of selection. it's important in any team sport from the top level of football down to a cricket match in the village park. If people are comfortable and familiar with those around them they are more likely to perform close to their best.
Yes these are maybe excuses I am making for the manager, but I think they are valid points and need to be considered. I'm extremely disappointed with our general form since the turn of the year but the solution is to double down on how we back the manager, not to replace him.
Since Moyes left, the vast majority of our problems have been self inflicted through recruitment. Until we start getting it right both in terms of who we sign and the balance of the squad, we will continue to see too many poor results.