We are going to need some leaders. That is the main issue for me. I see none. Only Gallagher when he plays (and remember, last weekend I was the one asking what exactly it was that he does!!!!)...
Who is going to bring the attitude? Who is going to make sure that when we concede a stupid goal we take it as an insult not an injury? Who is going to use a marginal offside goal as fuel for determination as opposed to shrinkage? Who is going to pump a fist for their teammate or gee them up when meeking about?
Who in our squad has that?
Because I think THAT is what we need the most.
I think where RDZ is flummoxed is in the lack of character/leadership personality. He would call it this group 'finding its culture'.
Not having a go, but the whole leadership/mentality thing feels a bit contrived, it feels like a go to answer when nobody knows what the fudge is really going on.
Gallagher, Porro, Bentancur, Maddison aren't players I'd accuse of not being up for the fight
Bergvall & Gray also, young, inexperienced but will run themselves into the ground
Robertson is about as proven as they get
Tel & Kinsky have shown an ability to push through horrible adversity
I don't see this huge group of passive/not caring players, didn't see it under any of the previous managers either. Are they as heart on the sleeve as say Palhinha, Son, maybe even Romero (when he was up for it)? maybe not, but don't think it's a leader thing.
What I do see is players who give their all (most days) and it isn't working, the results aren't happening, and their belief has to be shaken, the sheer number of losses at home has to get to you, it gets to the fans.
And RDZ is trying to play complicated stuff, said it before, really worried this is the wrong era of PL for that. And if he doesn't get wins soon (and a few of them), no amount of leadership is going to stop the spiral.