Irons issues to consider on what we’ve seen so far

We all see things differently and as a result we become involved in social media rucks which become so tedious when some are in need of anger management.

But  that should never stop any of us from saying it as we see it so here goes and I’m very aware that, like any of us, I may be  proved 1,000 per cent wrong before next May arrives!

Thus far  I believe there are some  identifiable problems within our squad:

1/ Declan Rice’s position in front of an obviously a dodgy back four, with a change introduced after one game, is becoming busier and busier.

The lad is covering so much ground and involved in so many tackles that he could easily – pray God it doesn’t happen – become injured at some stage.

I’m not sure we’ve seen him back to his best this season but what I do know is that his workload is becoming more and more intense and with Carlos Sanchez as the other defensive midfielder we have cause to worry.

Hurry back Mark Noble which will help but I remain convinced a second defensive midfielder should have been signed this summer.

There may be some sort of answer by using Zaba as a defensive midfielder in emergencies but it’s an area I believe which should have been addressed.

2/ The midfield generally has extremely talented players in Anderson, Lanzini and potentially Fornals; Snodgrass continues to impress and Yarmolenko looks to be on his way back.

But there is a lack of pace and at times a lot of ‘fannying’ about as we attempt to break teams down nearer their box until – as we saw on Saturday – Lanzini gets on the ball.

It’s something which needs work.

3/ Sorry to repeat what’s become the hardy annual but how we failed to sign a decent left back is beyond me and a new four year deal for Arthur Masuaku does – to put it politely – seem excessive.

Aaron Cresswell has been off the pace for so long I was surprised he was still around this season to be honest given I understand there was some interest from Villa.

Arthur – when on his offensive game is a handful – but few would trust him in an out and out defensive role and the four year deal was a huge surprise.

The only half solution I can see here maybe  to slot Ben Johnson in at left back but essentially he remains unproven and would playing out of position. Right now it looks a possibility but it’s a precarious one.

Despite the worries I think we will be fine this season because there are clearly goals in the team, but for me that defensive midfield and left back remained pretty exposed positions is a real ongoing worry.

4/ Like all of us I love Fabianski but I don’t enjoy the way he always fires long balls upfield. It continued on Saturday even though there was no target man – just a 5ft 8in Chicharito.

Maybe a little more distribution in order to progress play maybe a good idea because those big clearances inevitably come back at us within seconds!