This is not particularly surprising.
Well before the end of last season I expressed concern that CG would not be with us for this season, and he being head and shoulders above what we had at that particular time, led me to think that unless we invested in adequate replacements, particularly given that McArthur is at the end of his PL career and injury prone, and Kouyate released, then we would be thin in a critical area on the pitch. So it has proved, despite the tremendous efforts of Doucoure, who I rate highly. His omission today proved how inadequate our planning and player acquisition has been for this season.
We are a worse side this season than last, mainly because we didn't replace in key areas, and also because of Vieira's lack of tactical ability to adjust to the changes from last season.

This was entirely my view.
Doucoure has been a fine acquisition but alas Miliviojevic, Hughes and Riedewald are not up to the job and MacArthur is well into his 30s and injury prone.

Edited by Willo (22 Oct 2022 7.22pm)

I wish people would stop defending Luka. The bloke is clearly not good enough and that is putting it mildly. He has been 5 yards off the pace for well over 2 years and offers zero to the team. It’s a f***ing disgrace our recruitment has resulted in a 1 man midfield. Absolutely no coincidence that the game he’s suspended for ends up in a thumping.

Agreed, there was a lot going wrong with other players including the manager than just Luka today

For me this has been brewing for some time, PV's tactics are dodgy..

The lack of hunger in the semi final last year with the dodgy set up in tactics with Ward being put into RB over NC only then to have CK constantly moving across in front of JW to cover him even though Chelsea were just as s*** as us the first half.. He didnt even see that and try to adjust the plan..

Arsenal: The team still had the mentality they could beat them we started slow but the 2nd half was good we were all over them.

Liverpool: they go down to 10 men looking weak and he still continued to play the team deep and not go after the win

City: played deep went 2 up but continued to keep them very deep and not allow them to express themselves, tried to hold on for the draw. But its City so let that slide..

Brentford: All over them went 1 up. 67 mins in against a team we are in charge off and likely will get another goal. He switches RB over to LB, moves RB in RM brings on LB along with CM to try to see out the draw.. Tactical shambles..

Chelsea: 1-1 sits us deep and they score 90min

Leeds: felt like a battle

Leicester: shambolic lucky not to lose

Wolves: Ref makes dodgy calls, fans fired up, team get fired up and feel to prove something 2nd half.
Post match Wilf asked if the words of PV are ringing in his ears from half time, he replies no he doesn't get like that.

For me what's he bringing?
its a Dougie Freedman team with OR calling the tactics.
Thought he would be the one to get them going but he backs down every time..

Edited by barrie2301 (23 Oct 2022 12.35pm)

Edited by barrie2301 (23 Oct 2022 12.37pm)

People aren't singling him out. Nobody has said that everybody else was decent because that clearly wasn't the case. But Luka has been consistently crap for quite some time now and is nowhere near good enough for Premiership football.

I've seen plenty of other players on this thread being criticised for their performance today.

Don't waste your time with jealousy. Sometimes your ahead, sometimes your behind, the race is long. But in the end it's only with yourself!!