<https://www.saintsweb.co.uk/topic/53589-the-positive-thread-doom-merchants-need-not-read/#comment-2426980>
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"I'm not even sure we were that bad last night. At Half Time I was thinking \"ok, we haven't been great, but we haven't been bad either, we're in a decent enough position\". But we didn't get better, it was the same monotonous play until we found ourselves in dire straits. On one hand I wondered whether the \"0-0 is enough\" mentality affected us, and let's be honest, knowing that conceding a goal was disastrous, perhaps such a mentality or strategy would be understandable.   \nHowever, this wasn't a one-off. We play like that in virtually every game - sucking the life out of the match regardless of whether it helps or hinders us.   \nI agree with many of your points, and that it's not all doom and gloom - particularly the emergence of a few youngsters - but I wish we would play a bit quicker and sharper at times. We rely so heavily on players like Tadic, because he's one of the few players who doesn't always take the safe option. I reckon this slow, predictable approach is what most people are unhappy or worried about - especially as we have a knack of conceding every shot the opposition have on target.   \nEven though I do not view it this way, thought I'd be Devil's Advocate and use your list, interpreted a different way. Some are tenuous I admit (e.g. the youth players!), but think it shows how we are really at a crossroads in our season and it could end up either way!   \n- We have to beat Liverpool over two legs to reach the final of the League Cup \n- We failed to qualify from a Europa group that included an out-of-sorts Inter, Sparta Prague and Hapoel Be'er Sheva \n- We failed to score in any Europa away game, put in one dreadful performance and failed to capitalise on a good performance at the San Siro by taking any chances \n- We are 12th in the league, having messed up chances to stick with the top group and are hovering just above the relegation battle \n- We have played 30-40% more games than everyone else, and that will catch up with us later in the season but particularly Dec-Jan where we have matches every few days \n- Where would we be if it wasn't for the emergence of a couple of our academy players?! \n- Our only reliable source of goals is injured again, our new star-signing has shown glimpses of brilliance but doesn't yet appear to be a dependable starter, and we seem to be picking up more injuries than normal "
<https://www.saintsweb.co.uk/topic/53589-the-positive-thread-doom-merchants-need-not-read/>