So here we sit at the bottom of the table after seven games. Is there any need to worry? I suggest not, at least not at this stage.
In effect, we have thrown away two games we should have won, or at least taken points from. Because the defeat at Ipswich came so early in the season, its significance went largely unnoticed. Then we lost at Bournemouth while missing key defenders and a striker.
Admittedly, we were the architects of our own downfall in both games, given our sloppy passing around the box
at Ipswich and suicidal defending at Bournemouth. However, had we taken all six points from those matches, we’d be sitting somewhere between sixth and ninth. Two draws would have taken us out of the bottom three, which, given the teams played to date and our Europa League excursions, would not be bad.
While it’s true we were no more than average against a very good Brighton side, we were without Brian Brobbey and Dan Ballard. It’s also possible Wilson Isidor was carrying an injury for at least part of that game.
Social media is full of woe-is-me comments, mostly centred on the lack of a ready-made third striker. That’s fair to a point, but we all knew the situation at the start of the season. There are not many teams outside the top four that carry three top-level strikers in their squad.
After the Bournemouth game, according to some, Kevin Danso was the worst signing ever, but two or three games earlier, many were claiming his acquisition was a great piece of business. He had an off day and wasn’t helped by his partner (more on him later).
If we get Brian Brobbey back soon and he can stay fit, with Dan Ballard following soon after, then I am not worried. However, there are clearly issues to be sorted, and that is where Régis Le Bris and his coaches need to step up.
People need to grow up and sort the Chemsdine Talbi situation, as we can’t do without him given our current plight. Omar Alderete needs to be taken out of the firing line until at least Christmas, giving him time to rediscover his form.
Our tactics need to change, as Xhaka is not quite the player he was last season, and we are not capable of playing the tappy-tappy, build-from-the-back game (looking at you, Robin Roefs).
Most of all, somebody needs to sort the wingers situation. I will cut Nilson Angulo a little slack, as he is young and we obviously bought him as one for the future. The same does not apply to Malick Fofana, as he has played at a high level and we paid a significant fee for his services. No excuses – he needs to improve significantly, starting this weekend.
If issues obvious to the average supporter are not fixed within the next four to six Premier League games, then it is time to worry and ask serious questions of Régis Le Bris – not now. There are still plenty of games to play.
