Unai Emery

[VinnieChase84]

One theory i could buy into is based on how intense he is.

Long player meetings, hours of tactics. Players have already mentioned a lot about this during the last two seasons and it was all fine cause we were flying. Theres an idea that some players literally burn out with emery - due to this. Its ok for a season or 2, but without high squad churn to keep the high % of the team "fresh" it can become an issue

Its all fine when everything is rosey but when shit hit the fan like it has a little now, this same level of intense data could be a mental issue for a lot of the squad

The entire backline, pretty much all of midfield and upfront has seen no change.

Onana, Barkley need to feature more imo while were in this rut
As does Maatsen - feel they could be more receptive to the intense nature and instructions. (although id start maatsen on a wing to be honest)

Just a theory

[LeeB]

It's a theory that's been in my head too Vinnie.

[Nunkin1965]

I've got to say that this idea has been in my head too.
He's brilliant at what he does but its whether the players do suffer burnout due to such intensity around games.
He's definitely got to make some changes to the line up just to shake/freshen things up but a couple of wins and belief comes flooding back I'm sure.

[PeterWithe]

One theory i could buy into is based on how intense he is.

 etc,

Interesting that, could be something in it. Am I right in thinking he's only got one player in the squad who's played for him before?

[Risso]

One theory i could buy into is based on how intense he is.

 etc,

Interesting that, could be something in it. Am I right in thinking he's only got one player in the squad who's played for him before?

Torres I'd guess.

[PeterWithe]

I think he's been found out tactically, while also having a number of players out of form. I also think losing Kamara and Luiz as a pair, Ramsey to successive long term injuries and the huge chasm in quality between first 11 and bench when form dipped has hurt him. He openly said he wanted a technical forward that could play in the 10 role in the summer, and had based the summer before on Buendia kicking on in that role. Given the context his record is okz when put against our spend. He needs time, and some good support from Monchi (who is more questionable than Emery) to get 2-3 players in that will help make a difference. I actually think defensively we are capable, but we are far too inconsistent (Carlos and Torres has stinkers in them), Cash personifies it. Do I think I want Emery or a different manager in charge this time next year... I'll take some time being inconsistent, even not good, as I reckon long term he'll win something and find a way to get us back up there.

For those that know more about his history than me, I know he's played this formation and style for the latter part of his Villareal days, but has he always played this way, I take it their have been other styles in the past?

I'd say these tactics look to have been nullified, but if he hasn't got other ones, I'd trust him to come up with them.

And also, I'm not sure how devoted to Luiz he was, he was the one sacrificed but there were plenty of other saleable assets if he was the one the team depended on? Certainly agree Kamara was a massive miss to the way we play.

[PeterWithe]

One theory i could buy into is based on how intense he is.

 etc,

Interesting that, could be something in it. Am I right in thinking he's only got one player in the squad who's played for him before?

Torres I'd guess.

Yup, does that strengthen the theory or not? Playing for him once is enough when there are other options available to them?

I dunno.

[Demitri_C]

One theory i could buy into is based on how intense he is.

Long player meetings, hours of tactics. Players have already mentioned a lot about this during the last two seasons and it was all fine cause we were flying. Theres an idea that some players literally burn out with emery - due to this. Its ok for a season or 2, but without high squad churn to keep the high % of the team "fresh" it can become an issue

Its all fine when everything is rosey but when shit hit the fan like it has a little now, this same level of intense data could be a mental issue for a lot of the squad

The entire backline, pretty much all of midfield and upfront has seen no change.

Onana, Barkley need to feature more imo while were in this rut
As does Maatsen - feel they could be more receptive to the intense nature and instructions. (although id start maatsen on a wing to be honest)

Just a theory

Good post  VInnie. Alot of good points that I never considered

[LeeB]

We may be a the point where a bit of an old school 'Take the lads to La Manga for a bit of a piss up' might do the trick.

[Demitri_C]

We may be a the point where a bit of an old school 'Take the lads to La Manga for a bit of a piss up' might do the trick.

Is there a winter break like last year do you know lee? As that would help you would inagine during that period

[LeeB]

I think it was binned off.

[Dave]

One theory i could buy into is based on how intense he is.

 etc,

Interesting that, could be something in it. Am I right in thinking he's only got one player in the squad who's played for him before?

Torres I'd guess.

Martinez too (albeit not much actual first team playing) when their paths crossed at Arsenal.

[Chris Smith]

It's a theory that's been in my head too Vinnie.

I keep coming back to how our CL form has been pretty good which will if anything involve more intense meetings as the opposition are completely new. I’m more inclined to put it down to adapting to the higher levels expected and the disruption caused by the regular injuries we seem to keep picking up.

[Risso]

I think it's simply that the defence isn't very good, and the terrible summer transfer window has fundamentally affected the balance of the team and exacerbated the problems, together with the shit form of the forwards, ie Bailey, Rogers and Watkins.

[Chris Smith]

I think it's simply that the defence isn't very good, and the terrible summer transfer window has fundamentally affected the balance of the team and exacerbated the problems, together with the shit form of the forwards, ie Bailey, Rogers and Watkins.

Again, one goal conceded in five CL games suggests it is not that straightforward to just say the defence is no good.