Second season, everything going wrong

[Davebarbaren]

First season I managed to win the title with huge underdogs Gefle IF in the Swedish Premier League. We overachieved pretty hard and won most games 2-0 but the chances for both teams were pretty even. Now in the second season I had to let some players go because they wanted to leave when bigger clubs came knocking and my trustworthy 40 year old goalkeeper retired.

I got good money for my players and replaced them with whats on paper better players but this season we just cant score..now we have like 20-2 in shots most games but still only draw 0-0 or 1-1 scoring an own goal towards the end. Sometimes we lose 0-1 with the opponents having 0(!) shots on target. Almost half season gone we find ourselves ninth in the table.

Have anyone else experienced this kind of second season syndrome? And what did you do to turn things around. I have changed my tactics a little bit since last season and statisticwise its better but we simply cannot score. Three games in a row now we hit the crossbar 3/4 times and in the postmatch interwiev I get questions about it and they say that I must feel unlucky etc. Is it just unlucky or is it in the players heads? What can I do to start scoring and winning games again?

 

[Shyftyy]

Second season syndrome is quite common. It has to do with the increased reputation of your team and how the opponents react to it. Are you still creating as many opportunities? it may be that the opposition may come in much more defensive.

 

[Davebarbaren]

I am creating tons, about five hightlights every game for me and 1-2 for the opponent, my chances are always saved or against the woodwork. I am so incredibly frustrated of watching my 20 jumping reach striker head against the crossbar every freaking game. Of course some games are closer in chances like vs Celtic in the champions league qualifier where we lost 0-3.. shots on goal was 4-4, CCC was 1-1...

 

[Athe~]

How's your team's morale? I used to give them the hairdryer treatment when they were **** but once you do it two or three times in a row it kills their morale and everything goes down **** creek.

 

[Davebarbaren]

At the moment its poor because we lost to Celtic but even after a team meeting earlier where the morale was very good or superb on every player we lost the next game 2-1. They had two shots on target, we scored an own goal in minute 84 to make it 1-1 and they scored the winner with a deflected shot in minute 93..