08 Nov 2016 09:06:30
For me we have the strongest squad of players to chose from than we've have had for years but our mentality against smaller clubs is still a concern.
The chances we conceeded against Swansea Middlesbrough and Ludo both home and away we still have a problem getting ourselves fully focused against the smaller clubs, things are going really well right now and we are unbeaten since our opening game but that is partly down to some poor finishing by opponents who IMO we possibly didn't give the respect they deserved.
Just think this is something we need to address if it isn't going to see us drop points unnecessarily as we have in previous seasons.

1.) 08 Nov 2016
08 Nov 2016 12:54:57
yes it is our strongest for years and one of the strongest in the league, but if you believe that even against the teams down the foot of the table that we are not going to get moments during a 90 min game where the opposition has decent chances to score then i think it is you that is not giving the teams the respect they deserve.

as you mentioned we are unbeaten since the opening day, yes poor finishing would play a part in that, so would some great defending, hard work, not switching off for the full game and also talking every game seriously, if fact i would suggest that the fact that we are not getting beaten show that we are treating every game with full respect, someday it will just not happen for you as a team but if you switch off or don't respect then you will find yourself losing in this league.

2.) 08 Nov 2016
08 Nov 2016 19:26:12
We're all have our opinions GB mate and the great thing about the premier league is anyone can beat anyone on their day but as a top of the table side hoping to compete for the title this time around we shouldn't be holding on against Swansea especially after taking control of the game in the first place.
Both Middlesbrough and Swansea had as many shots as us during the their respective trips to the Emerirates and as a top side playing two teams that are struggling at the wrong end of the table we should be in control of such games especially on home soil mate.
If you totally dominate and they get a break away goal in their only chance of the game what can you do it happens in football but we shouldn't be conceeding as many chances as we create against anyone at home and certainly not struggling sides, but we are mate and that needs sorting if we're going to compete this time round.

3.) 10 Nov 2016
10 Nov 2016 12:45:00
Fair point Gunner62, I wasn't having a pop just saying excatly what you just said, but i don't thinks its a lack pf respect from the team just some games your level can drop but also some days thier leve can raise, a lit of the players are now internationals in the lower table clubs.
maybe a lack on concentration, or squad rotation if the payers are feeling the affects of travelling ect?

4.) 10 Nov 2016
10 Nov 2016 18:45:39
Maybe GB mate, I just worry that we still have that tendency to drop off in games where we are favorite's for whatever reason, Monaco a couple of seasons back is a great example of it.
We never used to be able to beat top 4 opposition a few seasons back but we seem to have overcome that inferiority issue and if we can just conquer the the opposite when playing teams lower down I think we will be B back in business big style mate.