Obviously it isn’t because we did much better last season, with the same manager.
I’ve stated before that we have a very good first 11 but there is a big drop off when we replace key players. Injuries have decimated our squad this season. You cant say that playing without a recognised striker, or with Lindelof/Amrabat at LB doesn’t affect performance. It’s clearly will.
We’ve also had Onana adjusting to a new country, new league, new team and wobbling a bit, Sale process creating uncertainty in the club, and the Greenwood and Antony situations as an off field distraction.
Key players in ETHs preferred system (Martinez/Mount/Casemiro/Hojlund) have been out for long periods (we’ve used 24 different back 4 combinations this season) and despite playing poorly and not being an entertaining watch we have at least been mostly scraping wins. We are still only 6th, we are in with a chance of a top 5 finish and we could win another cup. I don’t understand all the doom and gloom around Erik.