Does All The Squad Have Enough In The Tank To Be A Pep Team?

Johnny Baguette

Johnny Baguette

Alert Team
Based upon what I saw last night I suggest this is a key point. At work I spoke to Barca fans. Pep is ruthless and says bollocks to big reputations.

I am wondering can players who have oftensleepwalked thru matches last season now raise their efforts to high intensity? Are double training sessions enough? I watched Kun yesterday. He went head down trying to run as fast as he could on numerous occasions. Same for Kev. Then there were others like Kolarov jogging.
 
I sympathise with Kolarov, Pep says play it out from the back, but when he got it, there was literally no-one to pass it to and by the time someone came back to help out, the Gooners were all over him like a rash.
 
He does my head in too, interesting that he's played so much in preseason, especially at centre back, especially when we have a left footed CB in Mangala.
 
I have been surprised at the game time Kolarov has received in pre season. I don't think he has the sort of quick feet and calm under pressure approach that is required to play this game from the back. His lackadaisical approach to play and recovery does my head in too.

As for the squad being up to Pep's requirements - I think he has a job on for sure. He does not have the quality that was available to him at Barcelona and I fear for him having time to build in the intense pressure and spotlight of the PL.

My biggest concern is that the PL is no place for a training camp. The team looks under prepared and still adapting to achieve the versatility and flexibility that he demands. There will be some bumps along the road so tin hats on and be prepared for the prophets of doom in the media to start questioning his credentials.
 
What i didn't get last night was once Joe came on he started booting it up field instead of going from the backs, do you think Pep realised it was not working and changed it?
 
CT it doesnt work if you dont have the ball players at the back to do that, AK has never ever been a twinkle toes and Fernando is the same, put that together with if the opposition know that you havent got that skill and they were ready to pounce time and again. I hope Pep has a plan B
 
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