Bright spots - Lundstram more settled and fitness improving. Sakala lively if looking a bit soft when under pressure, could just be sharpness that will come. More to come from Bacuna but early flashes. Bassey improving. Patterson an option as backup to Tav. Possibility of boys like Charlie McCann and Alegria being drafted in from B's.
Negatives
- defensive disarray is the first concern. We look like conceding. Teams are clearly believing they can sneak a goal - look how Dundee players collapsed at the end, gutted.
- lack of shots on target. The defensive weaknesses could be papered over if we looked like scoring two or three. We just don't, in too many games.
- lack of standout performers (on current form, this season). Players aren't cementing status as first names on teamsheet. Some have it by default - Goldson, Tav, Kamara, Alfie, Davis - but might not be starting if there was more pressure from the rest of the squad. Others are not quite doing enough to take their opportunities - Wright, Aribo. We look like a squad too heavily dominated by players who contribute but are not leading and shouldering the expectation and deliver week in, week out.
As it stands, it's not a disaster. Just frustrating and disappointing that it's not clicking. Given the above positives, we could be just waiting a bit longer, it all falls into place and off we go.
But I do think if this level of performance goes on, there's a very real chance we drop points against Hearts, Hibs or even Aberdeen. And if one bad league result becomes two in a row, the test of character necessary will be enormous for the players and nerve-wracking for us.