Unai Emery

[LeeB]

The two performances against Bayern and Juve we concentrated hard on giving nothing away, we seem better being reactive rather than proactive as it stands.

[Bobby Boy]

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

As others have said these thoughts have passed through my mind too. Emery is clearly extremely demanding and I would imagine is exacting behind the scenes when players aren't carrying out his instructions. Judging by his having a complete meltdown reactions on the sidelines during matches I would guess that players are increasingly worried about making mistakes for the fear that they are going to be torn to pieces.

It was said about Mourinho that players could only deal with his demands for a season or two and then he lost them and results suffered. I wonder whether there's something of this going on with Emery now?

[Chris Smith]

The two performances against Bayern and Juve we concentrated hard on giving nothing away, we seem better being reactive rather than proactive as it stands.

Yes, I agree. It’s clear a few attacking players are out of form and Ramsey doesn’t appear able to stay fit.

[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.

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

It's a different tournament entirely, with different demands. Clubs can still qualify for the next round without having to really go for it. Every point in the Premier League is precious. You're comparing 5 games, against the last 30 odd in the Premier League, where the evidence is very much more "can't defend".

[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.

It's a different tournament entirely, with different demands. Clubs can still qualify for the next round without having to really go for it. Every point in the Premier League is precious. You're comparing 5 games, against the last 30 odd in the Premier League, where the evidence is very much more "can't defend".

I’m just suggesting that it’s too simplistic to just say ‘can’t defend’ when there is evidence from those games, and others, to counter it. So many of our goals conceded are from losing the ball at the other end of the pitch. That is often the result of unforced errors leaving us exposed to quick counters. I am hopeful that some of that can be rectified if we ever get Kamara and Onana fit at the same time.

[VillaTim]

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.

It's a different tournament entirely, with different demands. Clubs can still qualify for the next round without having to really go for it. Every point in the Premier League is precious. You're comparing 5 games, against the last 30 odd in the Premier League, where the evidence is very much more "can't defend".

Agree, Night & Day these two competitions . Our bread and butter is the Prem and we really need to start focusing on that , it would be great to make the ECL knock out stages but realistically we aren't going any further than a QF there . Top 6 has to be priority and European football next season

[PaulWinch again]

It’s not as simplistic as the defence just not being very good. They absolutely have to take some of the blame, but the players playing are the same who got us to top of the league last year. The issue is partly defensive, but wider than just the defence, and also about a lack of control. Personally I think it mostly hinges on the midfield, and you can clearly track back where we started to struggle with personnel issues in midfield. It’s also compounded now but our confidence being shot.

[London Villan]

It's the control of games we are lacking - and that comes from losing the heart of our midfield that complemented each other so well.

Watch the goals from the start of last season - the control of a pitch and the movement in tight spaces - driven by Kamara and Luiz. Once Kamara is up to speed some of that will come back with Teilemans and/or Barkley.

[Risso]

It’s not as simplistic as the defence just not being very good. They absolutely have to take some of the blame, but the players playing are the same who got us to top of the league last year. The issue is partly defensive, but wider than just the defence, and also about a lack of control. Personally I think it mostly hinges on the midfield, and you can clearly track back where we started to struggle with personnel issues in midfield. It’s also compounded now but our confidence being shot.

That was a year ago. Since then, the defence has been mostly terrible.

[Chris Smith]

It’s not as simplistic as the defence just not being very good. They absolutely have to take some of the blame, but the players playing are the same who got us to top of the league last year. The issue is partly defensive, but wider than just the defence, and also about a lack of control. Personally I think it mostly hinges on the midfield, and you can clearly track back where we started to struggle with personnel issues in midfield. It’s also compounded now but our confidence being shot.

That was a year ago. Since then, the defence has been mostly terrible.

From around the time of Kamara’s injury.

[eamonn]

Our CL fixtures have been a little fortunate. Young Boys are lower-Ch'ship level, Bologna have been robbed of the manager and some of the players who over-achieved to get them into the CL and Bruges are another very limited team who we completely gifted a win to.

That leaves Bayern - who, let's be honest, played most of the football at VP and Durán's goal was a one in a hundred effort. Juventus were missing half a team and came for a point.

The PL is a harder competition than we're finding the CL group-stage. I'd fancy Bournemouth and Brentford to do as well in it as we have so far to be honest.

[Chris Smith]

Our CL fixtures have been a little fortunate. Young Boys are lower-Ch'ship level, Bologna have been robbed of the manager and some of the players who over-achieved to get them into the CL and Bruges are another very limited team who we completely gifted a win to.

That leaves Bayern - who, let's be honest, played most of the football at VP and Durán's goal was a one in a hundred effort. Juventus were missing half a team and came for a point.

The PL is a harder competition than we're finding the CL group-stage. I'd fancy Bournemouth and Brentford to do as well in it as we have so far to be honest.

With friends like you who needs enemies. <wink>

[PaulWinch again]

It’s not as simplistic as the defence just not being very good. They absolutely have to take some of the blame, but the players playing are the same who got us to top of the league last year. The issue is partly defensive, but wider than just the defence, and also about a lack of control. Personally I think it mostly hinges on the midfield, and you can clearly track back where we started to struggle with personnel issues in midfield. It’s also compounded now but our confidence being shot.

That was a year ago. Since then, the defence has been mostly terrible.

Right, but it’s the same people. It pretty much directly corresponds to the last point where Kamara and Doug were playing together.

I appreciate form can drop off, but it’s unlikely that the players used have gone from pretty effective to entirely useless without there being some other factor.

[Ads]

Our CL fixtures have been a little fortunate. Young Boys are lower-Ch'ship level, Bologna have been robbed of the manager and some of the players who over-achieved to get them into the CL and Bruges are another very limited team who we completely gifted a win to.

That leaves Bayern - who, let's be honest, played most of the football at VP and Durán's goal was a one in a hundred effort. Juventus were missing half a team and came for a point.

The PL is a harder competition than we're finding the CL group-stage. I'd fancy Bournemouth and Brentford to do as well in it as we have so far to be honest.

Lol

[VillaTim]

Torres is a huge problem as a defender at the heart of the defence . Absolutely no getting away from that , yes he can play some great balls but that's not enough at this level .