Where Has It All Gone Wrong?

[ktvillan]

Smith's reputation as a forward thinking coach with progressive ideas and a desire for good football was what got him the job and the support of almost everyone.  That seems to have been smoke and mirrors, based on his stubborn insistence on a 4-3-3 that has been sussed out ages ago and an inability to have a plan B or make adaptations mid-game, even to account for 10 men.   

Recruitment hasn't helped - whether scouted by Suso or Dean, too much inexperience and I'm struggling to see how any merit was seen in signing the likes of Trezeguet and Targett who both look way out of their depth at this level.  We surely must have players in the youth team or out on loan who couldn't be any worse.

And Luiz has to be one of the thickest footballers I've ever seen - just gives loads of stupid free kicks away chasing his own mistakes, and the penalty at Watford was just the cherry on the cake - waving for offside with Targett clearly playing everyone onside, and then running into Deeney like a runaway train.  Utterly fucking brainless.  When Danny Murphy can call you lacking in intelligence, you've reached a low point.

[Steve67]

Hindsight is a wonderful thing and we clearly haven't signed anywhere near enough players with Premier Division experience, or, leaders for key areas of the pitch.  We have an opportunity to put some of that right now with the transfer window coming up.  We cannot afford to make the same mistake twice.  Dean needs upgrades in several areas, central midfield, winger, forward.  Defensively, I think we will get better if he sorts the defensive side of the midfield out.  I'd like to see players brought in to create partnerships.  I think it would be wrong of us to dismiss the use of the loan market as we simply need to survive. 

[LukeJames]

The reason is simple - repeating 2015's recruitment policy and expecting a different result

Pretty much this.

[aj2k77]

Transfers.

2 players from the Belgian league.
1 player from Southamptons reserves.
1 player from Wolves reserves.
1 player who nearly got relegated in the Turkish league.
2 player from mid table Championship sides.
1 player from mid table French league side.
1 player relegated in the Spanish league.
1 player relegated in the French league.

It's ok throwing a couple in together with more experienced, better pedigree signings but having a team full of them isn't working out.

[ktvillan]

Transfers.

2 players from the Belgian league.
1 player from Southamptons reserves.
1 player from Wolves reserves.
1 player who nearly got relegated in the Turkish league.
2 player from mid table Championship sides.
1 player from mid table French league side.
1 player relegated in the Spanish league.
1 player relegated in the French league.

It's ok throwing a couple in together with more experienced, better pedigree signings but having a team full of them isn't working out.

Blimey - when analysed like that it's no wonder we're struggling.

[mallo]

Transfers.

2 players from the Belgian league.
1 player from Southamptons reserves.
1 player from Wolves reserves.
1 player who nearly got relegated in the Turkish league.
2 player from mid table Championship sides.
1 player from mid table French league side.
1 player relegated in the Spanish league.
1 player relegated in the French league.

It's ok throwing a couple in together with more experienced, better pedigree signings but having a team full of them isn't working out.

Blimey - when analysed like that it's no wonder we're struggling.

It is - however if we take Sheffield Utds transfers :

Swansea striker
Bournemouth reserve
Preston, QPR and Forest players
3 free transfers and 2 loans

Then you'd be hard pressed to make a decent case for that. Some of our signings have played in the champions league for gods sake. If there's any telling theory to take from our signings I think its that you can't forge a team with so many signings at once. That and you need decent tactics.

[Damo70]

We only won one of our first seven league games. Apart from back to back wins against Norwich and Brighton where/when did it actually go right?

[DB]

Leicester was a reality check and it hit the team hard as well as Smith. It was men against boys, they have not recovered, got worse and Smith has no answers.
I agree with the recruiting approach, too many unknowns and when we are up against it, they look like rabbits cought in the headlights. Hopefully we can see more Man U performances than Watford and have enough to keep us up with a few quality signings.

[TonyD]

1. Starting the season with a such a poor strike force
2. Playing half a season with such a poor strike force
3. A manager who for some inexplicable reason won’t change.
4. Players losing all confidence in the manager
5.  Put all in a bowl, mix and you get relegated by Easter.

[DB]

Yes, forgot to add, signing 1 unknown striker was a massive gamble.

[Bad English]

Leicester was a reality check and it hit the team hard as well as Smith. It was men against boys, they have not recovered, got worse and Smith has no answers.

If so fucking diddums! Would they like the fans to implement 'Jazz hands' instead of cheering while they recover from the shock?

[TonyD]

6. Also Marvellous and Luis are not the midfield ass kickin mafia we were looking for to sit behind Jack.
7. Also playing Jack on the wing FFS.
All lies at the manager’s door I’m afraid.

[DB]

Leicester was a reality check and it hit the team hard as well as Smith. It was men against boys, they have not recovered, got worse and Smith has no answers.

If so fucking diddums! Would they like the fans to implement 'Jazz hands' instead of cheering while they recover from the shock?

Er no, no ‘Jazz hands’. I wasn’t looking to feel sorry for them but they should get on with it, they haven’t and gone downhill since. Smith has no answers currently.

[Bad English]

DB mate, just to be clear, I was giving the players an 'online kicking' not you. :-)

[ChicagoLion]

It was the Arsenal game for me. This first showed up Smiths indecisiveness, following failing to beat a poor 10 man West Ham team.
I was fuming for days and it must have had an impact on the players.