2013 league appearances
Deloufeu 25
Lukaku 31
McCarthy 34
Barkley 34
Coleman 36
Stones 21
Why didn't these inconsistent kids stop us breaking our record points total in 2013 but are now the reason we are so poor despite being 2 years older and a lot more experienced and in most cases improved
The only players with a significant number of appearances that year who aren't with us any more
Distin
McGeady
Naismith
Players added since then who have featured substantially (this ones off the top of my head)
Lennon
Besic
Funes Mori
Galloway
Eto
So after 2.5 years of Robertos coaching with mostly the same core players we have gone from 5th to 11th to currently 12th
2 years ago that defence was absolutely superb. Didn't we concede the fewest goals apart from City or something daft.
Distin and Jagielka were predominantly injury free. Lots of consistency. Howard had probably his best season for us.
We had Steven Pienaar playing, bringing balance to the side. osman was two years younger and could be more readily relied upon.
Coleman stayed injury free, as did Baines, with the former having his best ever goal scoring season if I remember rightly?
Our legs in the middle was provided by McCarthy who, again, played lots of games rather than the injury hit one he had last season and this.
Barkley was an unknown quality and the extra space afforded meant he caused havoc. Deulofeu provided the impact pace from the bench.
Last season Distin and Howard's form fell off a cliff.
Only back up with any experience was Alcaraz who I'd imagine was never brought in to play so many games.
Stones was a novice still.
We had zero pace until January.
Quite clear Eto was a bad influence.
No Pienaar.
No Osman (fulfilling the Pienaar role)
Lukaku having a fierce learning curve.
Barkley the same.
This season. More dependent on younger players. Stones, Barkley, McCarthy, Besic, Galloway, Deulofeu etc
Howards form has deteriorated further.
Jagielka been missing.
No continuity at CB
McCarthy and Besic missing for large parts. No bite in midfield.
Baines missing for large parts.
Coleman missing games here and there.
He's rebuilding slowly but surely. Can't understand how people can't see that and why there is no patience afforded.