Mentality problem?

There's definitely a mentality problem in Europe and it goes back a couple of decades.

It started almost exactly when Lawwell came on board if I remember correctly

 

Mentality and physicality.

Any time we face a team with more power, pace and aggression we crumble - almost like watching primary schoolweans playing against one or two bigger lads.

Team full of heartless, gutless midgets in a tactical set up that removes all/any notion of direct play.

 

Yep. Press us and get stuck in and we utterly crumble.

 

We play like we just need to be on the pitch to win. Not earn the right to win.

 

The mentality issue is there and I think I know why it's there.

Imagine being in that club. You're being sent out to play in the Champion's League and you look around. Yang's to your left. 34yo Forrest to your right. In front of you is a £9m striker who can't score. On the bench are kids whose names you probably don't even know.

The boss is telling you to go do this and that tonight. He looks and sounds defeated. Why won't the board sign the players he needs? Why haven't they offered him a contract? What's going on?

The attitude of the owner and the board set the tone for how everyone should conduct themselves, and their negligent, laissez-faire attitude cuts right through the club. If they don't give a *, why should you? Why should you bust your hump to get into the CL where you'll only be hung out to dry? Why show for that ball when the next * will just leave you holding it?

It's a mentality that comes from leadership not giving a * about our club. The problem begins and ends with them.

 

We’re arrogant for me. We’re entitled.

We’re expectant.

* at points we’ve almost looked offended when we’ve not been allowed to just turn up and steamroll.

It happens in games that are highlighted have more focus on them.


Hun games last season, turning up to St Johnstone for the title party we didn’t deliver that weekend, the Cup Final.

Two legs against Kairat.


For me, and people always get spiky about this, that’s not just on the park. Our fanbase do that as well, and that has an effect. We’ve always been quick acknowledging the support brings something extra when we win unexpectedly, there’s untold quotes from legends about that.

But when * bog standard turn up and expect just a win, no challenge? Listen to the cheer for scoring against Aberdeen in the Cup Final. A murmur. For months we were saying another Treble. *, * were saying it was a boring one at points….


That’s the rhetoric the teams surrounded by and plays like at times for me. Apathy, boring, expectant.

It’s up to the team to change the mood of the support no doubt, but it’s something that’s annoying me

 

Not, for me , a mentality issue, a coaching issue is the root cause. How can members of coaching staff, continually watch for years, our set pieces and think it’s adequate? And watch us go an hour of football, totally dominating possession without a shot on target? And endorse this tippy tippy sideways *?

 

ITs a £40m game. The players let the occasion get to them and they absolutely shat the bed.

Theyre starting to show a worrying trend of being fragile in big games...

 

Personally think its a coaching issue outwith the lack of new forwards. Ange would not have us just passing back. Slow throw ins. Ponderois safe play all around. This is what happens when a manager is near the end. It gets so stale. Can't wait for a change.