I enjoyed the pod. I do think the guys have analysed our problems the wrong way round.
It's the defence that's causing us the issues - we're conceding while in dominant positions. Yes, we've missed chances, but us conceding means we can't create pressure, have to get desperate in attack, lose shape etc etc.
Payne/De Vere/Laws/McGarry is such a step down from Payne/De Vere/Taylor/Cacace it's not really surprising (and Marinovic looks to be a bit out of form). But while we keep conceding soft goals our attack will be under pressure. A single goal isn't enough for us to win games - we need to be scoring 2 or 3 given the rate we are conceding.
Absolutely this. Sort out the back first. We're not going to suddenly start scoring a barrel load of goals, the team doesn't have it in them. But we need a solid defence as a platform. Marinovic looks nowhere near as confident as last season and being abroad aside, I'd say a lack of confidence in the defence will be a huge part of it.
Also the midfield screen is missing Steinman, with the depth of him, Rufer and Devlin competing for two spots.
I was always surprised at how many fans appeared unmoved by him leaving. He was huge in that team. Guess it was clear he was an unsung hero.
People realised there would be a budget cut and inevitable cut to the squad, out of all the foreigners he was in a position where there was enough debt and quality to compensate for his loss. It was much more pressing to keep Davilla and Taylor. Wish we kept him though, great quality, great age, and great passion for the team and city.