Despite all the patting on the back about our wonderful summer of recruitment, this is still fundamentally the same team that struggled for most of last year, so I guess it's not a total surprise we're not camped out in the top 10 after taking a punt on some spreadsheet signings to replace all those that left.
Defensively, Burgess is the only real change and he's...alright. Missing Darling's goals and ability to bring the ball out of defence.
Midfield is largely the same. Galbraith is...alright, doesn't really put his stamp on games does he? not a difference maker, just a tidy player. Stamenic. I think we're missing his stability in there, need him back.
Inoussa has shown some glimpses, but is nowhere near a 60 min player, let alone a 90 min player
We're still relying on Key and Ronald for our attacks down the right (yikes!)
Vip is a good player, but we're back to Williamsball where we're treating him like a lepper we dare not get close to and interact with. Maybe try giving him the ball more than twice a game and it might look better. Maybe having a central midfielder who can drive forwards with the ball through the middle would help with that? (Stamenic's run to set up Vip against Norwich springs to mind).
Sheehan clearly got caught with his pants down tactically today, that whole 1st half was us playing handicapped by the way we'd set up. Looked like the adjustments made at half-time (that should have been made after about 10 minutes) were going to work, but it just wasn't to be. Just before an international break is not a great time to put in your worst performance and result. Lots of time for decision makers to ponder decisions...I doubt they'd sack him at this stage though, but nothing surprises me anymore.