John Stones has been out. KDB has been out. Haaland has been out. So to suggest Citeh' have had one long-term injury is factually incorrect. And why make the distinction about length of injury lay-off? This actually support the point I'm making, because injuries are both long term, short term... plus suspensions, loss of form. So let's not defend the obviously indefensible. Look at Spurs.. eight points ahead. Lots of injuries. I would summise that every team throughout the Prem, and Championship if you care to look, will have key players missing. It happens.
Liverpool crappy loan-signings? And what was the impact? The same sort of form we're experiencing? Liverpool have been massively competitive and successful for a number of seasons, and look where they are now.. again, having missed key players for very long periods.
I am done making excuses for ETH. He has a decent, not great, but decent set of players and he needs to get the best out of them. Like any good manager.