Perhaps it’s not the ideal time to write in the immediate aftermath of a 3-1 home defeat. Yet after back-to-back losses and six goals conceded across those matches, it would be equally wrong to ignore the growing concerns.
The reality is stark. While other clubs around us are building momentum, we’ve slipped from third to eighth in the table. That’s not a minor setback, it’s a worrying trend.
The statistics only reinforce what supporters are witnessing on the pitch.
At half-time, we had managed just one shot on target, producing an xG of 0.58 compared to West Brom’s 1.39. To be fair, West Brom had only registered one shot on target themselves. However, after the break our xG improved to 0.98 thanks to four additional efforts on target. West Brom, meanwhile, generated an xG of 2.06 and demonstrated the clinical edge that we’re currently lacking, scoring three times from just three shots on target.
The most pressing concern is undoubtedly the defence. Hermansen looks completely devoid of confidence, and calls for Areola’s return are becoming louder with every passing week. Meanwhile, Morato’s deployment on the left side increasingly resembles a failed experiment. I had reservations when the signing was made and wrote about those concerns at the time. Unfortunately, those fears now appear to be justified, and there’s no satisfaction in being proven right.
But the issues extend far beyond individual players.
This squad is underperforming, and ultimately responsibility lies with the manager. Nuno is now facing genuine pressure. Automatic promotion was the objective at the start of the season. The uncertainty of the play-offs, or being dragged into the lower half of the table was never part of the plan. Yet the uncomfortable truth is that we are becoming far too easy to play against. Opponents understand our weaknesses and are exploiting them week after week.
If that sounds overly critical, so be it.
Looking back at the season so far, the only performances I can confidently say I thoroughly enjoyed were the victories against Wrexham and perhaps Wolves. The 1-0 away win at Swansea also deserves recognition, and I guess the strong win against Lincolns nine man team. Beyond that, supporters have largely witnessed inconsistent displays, and the current criticism is a direct consequence of what they’ve seen on the pitch. With the quality available to Nuno, this team should be producing more.
Off the pitch, there are still unanswered questions.
I’ve consistently defended Kretinsky, yet we are still waiting for formal confirmation regarding the shareholder situation, while Sullivan remains in the directors’ box. The uncertainty surrounding the club continues to create an unwelcome backdrop.
So, is it too early to suggest that Nuno’s position should be under review?
Not anymore.
That conversation is beginning to gain real traction among supporters. It’s worth remembering that after relegation, Nuno’s departure appeared inevitable. It was only the intervention of Kretinsky that kept him at the club. Even Nuno himself seemed to believe his time was up.
Right now, the club still feels unsettled, both on and off the pitch.
The first step? A convincing win against Cardiff. Because if that doesn’t arrive, the pressure on everyone involved will only intensify.