Off-form

[RPAS]

Why are so many of our players off-form and looking so disinterested with the game?

Is it Rafa? Surely it can be the ****e with Hicks/Gillette - these are highly paid players what does it matter who own's the club?

Is it fitness?

Is it the fact that Pako has gone?

Where has our self-belief gone?

At this rate 4th is looking beyond us, Barnsley will fancy their chances and Inter will have us. In 4 weeks time we could be properly f-ked for the season.

[Red_Polo]

Off-field stuff doesn't help, the reality that we will not win this season must make a huge difference, and Rafa as well as the players as individuals have to take their share of the blame too. The wheels have fallen off. Rafa needs to ensure the right reaction follows, but so far it hasn't been forthcoming. We need players to stop hiding, feeling sorry for themselves, and start putting themselves on the line for the club.

[Sir Bob]

I think its been a combination of things.
Firstly the off the field stuff doesn't help. Rafa must have been seriously distracted by it all at times and that must translate to the players.

As ever the thorny subject of rotation must be mentioned. I think for new players in particular its very difficult. I've felt particulary sorry for Babel. He's playing out of position and only gets a start every 4 or 5 games. when he does play he's often got a different LB behind him, different strikers to work off and different CM to fit int with. Its a really big ask.

Finally, we've just lost complete confidence as a team, particulary a home. draws against Spurs, Chelsea, The Arse, Villa & Wigan have really dented our confidence. In every one of those games we've led but not won. At home thats unforgivable.

[Joe King]

It is a culmination of things which have happened when we doing reasonably well in the season.

I am one of few people who will be glad to see the season end. In fact, I would rather end it now. Its been poor and frustrating.

[calvoboy]

If Rafa's future is secure, then the squad need to get away for a few days. Clear the air, have a few open and honest exchanges about what is going wrong, and then come back motivated to make sure that things change

At the moment, we seem to be staggering from one bad story or game to the next. And Rafa's "we must work harder" approach might not be helping. There's a lot of pent up anger in the squad about the way things have turned out on and off the pitch this season, and it's not being particularly well channelled at the moment.