Madrigal Mauling Reveals Extent of Real Sociedad Issues David Moyes Must Address

If, after his torrid spell at Manchester United, David Moyes thought managing Real Sociedad was, by comparison, going to be a walk in the park, then their humbling at the hands of Villarreal will certainly have presented him with a reality check.

Real conceded four in the final 27 minutes, and by his own admission it could have been even worse for the former Everton boss; his three-match unbeaten start prior to Sunday’s second half flattered to deceive. There is lots to do with his new side.

The one consolation Moyes can draw on, however, is that although he is still trying to appraise his squad, he does at least now know the size of the task he is facing.

First the good news: The fans are also aware of the job which needs doing, so he will at least be cut a bit of slack by them in his bid to get it right.

Anyone who witnessed the second-half Madrigal mauling will realise this was a Real Sociedad squad without the physical capacity to last a full 90 minutes—basically a side which was, quite simply, not fit enough.

I understand measures have already been taken to improve fitness levels, but that will only serve as the application of a sticking plaster onto the gaping wounds which can be identified as the bigger, more deeply rooted playing issues that threaten to inhibit the club’s rise to safety up the La Liga table.

At his disposal, Moyes has a collection of stylish ball players—the likes of Ruben Pardo, Xabi Prieto, Sergio Canales, Esteban Granero and David Zurutuza—all of whom like strutting their stuff while in possession.

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Unfortunately, they have to win it first, which is another way of defending, and then fight like tigers when they lose it, because if they don’t, the fact the Scot has a side which can't compete for the full 90 minutes is going to leave them cruelly exposed by an outfit as persistent, organised and dogged as Villarreal.

Too many similar types of players—too many No. 10s, if you like—and not enough physical effort to get the team going will always leave them vulnerable.

Building a team is like building a house and, when you’re doing that, there’s little point in hiring the best interior designers when you haven’t anyone on board who can dig the footings.

When you have a midfield which does not battle hard enough to win back the ball high up the pitch, players not prepared to roll their sleeves up, then you are always going to create a problem for your back line. That problem will be exacerbated if your defence also happens to be making too many mistakes.

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For a long time, the disappointing Inigo Martinez was on the radar of both Barcelona and Real Madrid, not to mention being touted as a natural successor for the full Spanish international side.

Now, for whatever reason, his stock has fallen dramatically, and he was certainly at fault for a couple of the Villarreal goals.

The loss of Claudio Bravo to Barcelona and Antoine Griezmann to Atletico Madrid has not helped their cause either, and Enaut Zubikarai was only ever intended to be the back-up goalkeeper until a metatarsal injury to Bravo’s replacement—the young Argentine Geronimo Rulli—earned him a call-up.

Moyes is still trying to find out just what kind of side he has, although it’s safe to say he has a much better idea now.

A cursory glance at an away form which has seen Real Sociedad fail to record a win and rack up a meagre three points from a possible 21 will, undoubtedly, tell him what he has to address first.

A more solid, committed back line and more reliance on the counter-attacking prowess of Carlos Vela looks to be the way ahead if he wants his side to increase their tally, particularly away from the Anoeta.

Back in San Sebastian, this will be a concept the fans will find harder to accept for home games, but in truth most of them now realise, without the likes of Griezmann and Bravo, this isn’t anything like a side of the quality some may have suggested in the past.

It could be a long, hard season for them.