Quite simply, we have had bad injuries to our key players Barkley, Coleman, Mirallas and now Stones and McCarthy (hopefully the latter not long term). As soon as Barkley gets near to training again, Mirallas gets a long term injury, as soon as Stones get's himself cemented again he picks up one too, we are simply having bad luck there.
That said, some of the performances have been disappointing and lacking in urgency, particularly the last 2 league games when we have looked unsure and have tended to have lots of possession which has no end product.
Gibson and Oviedo coming back is like bedding a new player in again, so they join Atsu, Besic and Eto'o in being new to the club and needing a little bedding in time.
Think we might need a little bit of luck which could define the run up to Christmas. The next few games are massive and the players need to be revved up for a push.
With Eto'o, Lukaku, Naismith, Barkley and Osman we have enough in the final third of the pitch to cause worry, though the wide areas are a bit of a concern as McGeady, Peinaar and Atsu are not pulling up any trees at present and Coleman who puts teams on the back foot as we know needs to get back ASAP.
Between Barry, McCarthy, Besic and Gibson we should have enough in the centre.
The next 2 league games are massive as they could send a bit of momentum into the side and inject a bit of confidence back, I think this is where we see how good he really is, but I am not doubting him for one minute!
