It went to brick as key players started really making basic, basic errors
Yes, they were, but not because we were not solid defensively last year. It was because we wanted a ball-playing LCB for Conte's system, given Davies was limited in that area.
I said it in another post that I think that the full Conte preseason was more detrimental than helpful. In his first season he implemented an outline of his system, but there was still some freedom for the players to express themselves. Once he went all rigid, it just stifled the performances. All Conte had to do was dial it back a bit> Who knows, maybe that might have impacted the performances to the better.
We were, but that was one we thought was even less necessary, given he's a CCB and everyone was really happy with Dier at the time.
the vast majority has not been happy with Dier
Injuries are one part of it imo. We've had lots of players out with injuries for long periods, while those not injured were out of form. We've not had much luck in that department.
We're saying this now, but iirc at the tail end of last season we were singing a different tune. Everyone was saying how improved he was under Conte and that CCB was not a priority decision.
You may have been thinking that, most fans new that in the Summer Dier had to be upgraded.
Bonkers. IIRC, it sounded very much like he wanted to come, he seemed to have the required physicality, there's the Sonny link of course -- why wouldn't we have taken a punt?!
He would have walked here
I don’t think this season has been extraordinary for injuries. Where we have had them, Bentancur aside, either it’s not been a regular or we have had cover in that area. That’s how it feels anyway.
How about Kulu (who we don’t have a decent back up for even tho Gil played decently ina. Couple of games) and Lloris (even tho he’s had a horrible season he is a regular). Richie has been out for long chunks too. The amount of injuries is disruptive.