Harlequins need a Mikel Arteta figure

Although I've used Arteta in the title I think Diego Simeone could be just as applicable

Was thinking about this the other day and I've realised Harlequins remind me alot of how Arsenal were pre-Mikel Arteta

Apologies in advance for daring to draw comparison our beloved sport with its inferior counterpart

Post-Wenger but Pre-Arteta Arsenal were not a serious club and they lacked the killer instinct to go out and win big games and trophies. A big of part of how the season's success was measured was based on whether you made the Champions League - which they consistently did not - and whether they beat Spurs - which to their credit they did often. However, the club was almost never in title contention

The culture of the club completely changed when Arteta came in. Even without instant title success, the club were battling week in week out in big games, not always playing the best football but finding a way to win consistently with a unique style of play based on set pieces - Arsenal had regained that killer instinct they had from the early 2000s and they always know what to do

The drive and the vision was there and you can see now Arsenal have consistently put themselves in a position to compete for almost every trophy repeatedly

I think alot of this came down to the fact that Arteta was a former Arsenal captain who the players respected, a guy who could grab de-motivated players by the scruff and get them to up their game. If you weren't good enough and weren't motivated to improve - that's it no more chances you're out

At the moment, Harlequins lack this killer instinct. Our season is measured by whether we beat Saracens and we've gotten too comfortable just being at the game and whatever happens we'll all go home happy.

We're too sentimental about a big occasion - such as Danny Care's last game - that we lose sight of the main focus - the win.

And there are guys in the squad that are never reaching the standard we should be setting

The worst part is I reckon a guy like Nick Evans is the perfect person to be this type of figure but I don't think it's possible when you aren't the main man

I can't speak for their coaching credentials but guys like Andre Vos, Nick Easter or Keith Wood strike me as guys who could get these lads into shape and proud to wear the jersey

Let me know your thoughts