25 Oct 2025 19:10:57
Another late goal conceded, another loss. Recklessness is all part and parcel of having such a young / inexperienced squad. A lack of in game management, inability to recognise that a draw isn't great, but a loss is unacceptable, not seeing games out is all part and parcel of having a young / inexperienced squad.
Having said that, these boys need to start learning these lessons, and pretty sharply too. At the moment it's very much one step forward, two steps back. That can't be deemed acceptable for much longer.
25 Oct 2025 19:27:19
Well put J.
25 Oct 2025 19:30:21
J, I’m not a fan of the “age” card being used by some as an excuse. The majority of our players are internationals and it appears to me that the supposed older more experienced players are making just as many mistakes as the youngsters.
25 Oct 2025 21:03:11
A bit more positive than J I see it as two steps forward one step back, if you are not on it in this league you can lose to anybody.
25 Oct 2025 21:40:40
We are 2 steps forward and 1 back. Try not to be entitled, this is a hard league.
25 Oct 2025 22:39:16
It’s a hard league, it’s a competitive league and yes, that’s why it’s an amazing league. That’s why you have to have a bit of guile to see games out, draws don’t cost you top four spots, but loses certainly do. It’s not a mater of just age, it’s experience and leadership. It’s on field decision making about how you go about not losing games. Who’s hammering that point home from within this group of players? It probably shouldn’t be down to just one or two players, it’s a group mentality that need to be nurtured.
The Brentford loss, the Brighton loss and now this loss, look at the manor of them, look at when the goals have been conceded, these aren’t simple coincidences. Despite the strength of the premier league, it’s not entitlement that makes me believe we shouldn’t be losing these fixtures, it’s the reality of both where we are and where we want to be.
25 Oct 2025 22:46:30
Tom, international football does not equate to experienced footballers. In most cases the standard’s much lower than Premier League football. How many of our internationals are winners on the international stage, what’s international football done for how they mentally deal with a league season? How do they help to harbour the title winning mentality that we need? Personally, I’m not running out of fingers on one hand, listing the players in our squad who already have that mentality and can lead the team with it.
26 Oct 2025 05:21:02
J, it’s a reasonable point that not all international players are experienced. My point was, the older players are making just as many mistakes as the younger players.
I also don’t see so called leaders necessarily being of a certain age. That doesn’t mean I think all the players we sign for a fee have to under a certain age. I think that idea is flawed.
26 Oct 2025 09:08:01
I totally agree with your last paragraph Tom.
26 Oct 2025 13:15:16
The PL is probably the most competitive league in Europe but I get fed up with coaches trotting it out as an excuse along with low block and long balls. They never mention their highly expensive squads. Top teams will lose games but the important thing is to analyse why and ensure that same issues do not become a habit. When I read people say Maresca is learning on the job, that is concerning if it is true.
He isn’t going to change his philosophy or tactics for however long he is in post.
As to success v entertainment, there is a big gap between entertainment and boring the pans off supporters. Incidentally, I thought Sunderland were more entertaining yesterday, when they got the opportunity they moved the ball quickly up the pitch and caused us problems.
26 Oct 2025 14:19:10
In the area I now sit it in (MH upper) I am surrounded with all sorts of supporters who nearly all see our performances differently and all want us to play in different ways.
For instance I hold my head in my hands when some bloke is always shouting out “hit it long” or another guy who just says “hit it down the channel. ”
I very rarely get bored watching football at the bridge, the only exception being when Rafa was our manager. He was just so predictable.
My favourite goals are always team goals that come from many passes but that’s just me!