Hypothetical; Is this team good enough for top six?

[cambridgeshire canary 6,781]

Right now it's obvious our team is pretty shocking. The tactics are often strange, substitutions make us weaker, the players just seem to be unfit or crooked half the time.. But let's say thats not the case. Let's say that right now our team has no injuries. Let's say we no longer have Wagner but have whatever manager you think we should have running our team along with an all new coaching setup etc etc. Let's say all our players are fully fit, raring to go and are in good form. If all of that was the case could you see the following team being a good enough regular starting 11 for a promotion challenge?

 

So to sum it up quickly if you don't wish to read above; how do you think this team would do in the Championship if all were fit, uninjured and had the manager of your dreams?

And yes, I accidently gave them last seasons home kit. Ignore that 😉

Edited October 22, 2023 by cambridgeshire canary

[hogesar 9,722]

Our best 11 is capable of a playoff place, as our about 10 other teams in this division 

[Midlands Yellow 4,049]

No and last season’s kit was great so that’s a positive. 

[TIL 1010 4,781]

I think if Wagner and let's not forget Andy Hughes in this shambles were to be ousted a new man could get a different tune out of the squad.

[Number9 272]

Top six in which league?

[Sufyellow 222]

4 minutes ago, cambridgeshire canary said:

Right now it's obvious our team is pretty shocking. The tactics are often strange, substitutions make us weaker, the players just seem to be unfit or crooked half the time.. But let's say thats not the case. Let's say that right now our team has no injuries. Let's say we no longer have Wagner but have whatever manager you think we should have running our team along with an all new coaching setup etc etc. Let's say all our players are fully fit, raring to go and are in good form. If all of that was the case could you see the following team being a good enough regular starting 11 for a promotion challenge?

 

So to sum it up how do you think this team would do if all were fit, uninjured and had the manager of your dreams? And yes, I accidently gave them last seasons home kit. Ignore that 😉

You have Bath, Forshaw and Sainz starting why? We haven't got a clue if they will be any better than what's  playing. Everyone fit we could get top 6, as seen one of Rowe,  Sara and Sargent where in trouble. Personally the best we can hope for this season is we don't get relegated and Ipswich don't get promoted. We will see if the Americans have any vision at the end of the season by holding on to Rowe , Sara and Sargent and then adding better players to the team. Sell them and it's pointless.  

[OnDaBall 137]

As I"d say the squad is weaker than last season, especially in depth, then no.

[rock bus 854]

Yes I do think we could. 
mainly because Sara and Rowe are two of the best players in the league.

we also have a decent enough squad of players to support them if we were more tactically astute and selected the right team.

im now beginning to wonder is the issue is we don’t have a top 6 manager.

[komakino 274]

Until things are settled off the pitch, things won't get settled on it. 

 

[The Real Buh 3,479]

This club has not got what it takes, forget the team.

total weak bottle jobs from top to bottom and it’s spread like mould to every corner of the club.

standards! You have to have standards and that starts from the top.

[Pyro Pete 1,915]

Forshaw?

You really don't go to games, do you.

[The Real Buh 3,479]

1 minute ago, Pyro Pete said:

Forshaw?

You really don't go to games, do you.

Forshaw is definitely the “he’s the answer to all of our problems” player. I’ve always referred to it as “the Cody McDonald award”

[ZLF 274]

That xi does not address the acres of space we concede in the middle of the park,  the inability to win the ball back or improve the defence.    It will remain good in possession but won't improve the defensive issues.   More pace needed at cb and a disciplined ball winner in cm and a greater willingness and pace in the wingers to support the defensive issues.

A move to 433 or 4141may enable a press wagner wants and some defensive shape, but it needs a Tettey, skipp, type ball winning water carrier to make the most of the ball playing ability we have in kenny and sara.   Kenny doesn't win the ball back enough (his defends primarily by filling space and backing off, see the winner yest and his back turn before half time v plymouth) and like nunez is better box to box and distribution, and neither are disciplined enough to learn a libero role.  Forshaw really isnt that player either.

 

Edited October 22, 2023 by ZLF

[norfolkngood 1,087]

Yes i think the Right Man could get us into the top 6 ,

Our squad is not that bad as individuals  just set up so wrong ,

this high press does not work for us because we have no CDM to shield our CB's ,

the midfield go pressing exposing the defence 

also the CB's push up simple ball either through middle ( CDM might cut those out ) or over top and pacey striker onto it ,

 

[repman 635]

Maybe, maybe not. What I do know is that it's much easier to change a head coach than it is to sign a whole new squad of players. It's just a shame that if it is the squad that isn't good enough that it's one full of 30+ year olds who aren't going to improve as players over the next few years, meaning replacements will be needed while moving on the older lads will be hard work.

[Mello Yello 2,302]

Top 26 was/is the benchmark....The whole club from top to its bottom is out of sorts....An industrial size colonic irrigation may rectumfy some of our shortcomings....

Top 6?....Yer avin' a larf..... 

[Harry53 211]

47 minutes ago, ZLF said:

That xi does not address the acres of space we concede in the middle of the park,  the inability to win the ball back or improve the defence.    It will remain good in possession but won't improve the defensive issues.   More pace needed at cb and a disciplined ball winner in cm and a greater willingness and pace in the wingers to support the defensive issues.

A move to 433 or 4141may enable a press wagner wants and some defensive shape, but it needs a Tettey, skipp, type ball winning water carrier to make the most of the ball playing ability we have in kenny and sara.   Kenny doesn't win the ball back enough (his defends primarily by filling space and backing off, see the winner yest and his back turn before half time v plymouth) and like nunez is better box to box and distribution, and neither are disciplined enough to learn a libero role.  Forshaw really isnt that player either.

 

Could Sorensen be the answer for defensive cover?

[Yellow Green Army 237]

Yes, easily good enough for top six if the tactics are right

[alex_ncfc 664]

We are a million miles away from the top 6 with the current coaching staff and mentality at the club.

[Parma Ham's gone mouldy 2,228]

Hypothetically no. On grass no.

Parma 

[sgncfc 1,253]

No, the squad is clearly not good enough. We are a mid-table Championship team currently being managed and coached by a mid-table Championship manager and coaching staff and run by a mid-table Championship Board and Sporting Director.

However, there is now (finally) some hope that might change. We are keeping our heads just above water financially until Attanasio and his new appointments step in. Let's see how that all pans out. 

In the meantime, just enjoy the occasional victory because that's all we're getting.

[Capt. Pants 4,274]

Point is it isn't a hypothetical situation, it's reality.

We barely have 11 players capable of driving a top 6 finish. Get a couple of injuries and the manager starts making substitutions and it all starts to head south.

[TheBaldOne66 697]

1 hour ago, sgncfc said:

No, the squad is clearly not good enough. We are a mid-table Championship team currently being managed and coached by a mid-table Championship manager and coaching staff and run by a mid-table Championship Board and Sporting Director.

However, there is now (finally) some hope that might change. We are keeping our heads just above water financially until Attanasio and his new appointments step in. Let's see how that all pans out. 

In the meantime, just enjoy the occasional victory because that's all we're getting.

Keep believing that, it’s only going to take three years! 

[hogesar 9,722]

2 hours ago, The Real Buh said:

Forshaw is definitely the “he’s the answer to all of our problems” player. I’ve always referred to it as “the Cody McDonald award”

It was Sorensen for 2 and a half seasons until we saw him actually play 

[The Real Buh 3,479]

1 minute ago, hogesar said:

It was Sorensen for 2 and a half seasons until we saw him actually play 

Many have held the crown over the years.

[mannings bandy legs 393]

1 hour ago, Harry53 said:

Could Sorensen be the answer for defensive cover?

You won't Sorensen anywhere near this team while Wagner is here.We need someone in front of the weak,paceless CB's. I sit in the upper tier of the riverend,behind the goal. Every time Leeds broke thru the middle,we opened like the Red Sea.Truly awful. Leeds were no better,but sadly they had better quality to take advantage of our failings in this area.We don't.

[essex canary 504]

7 hours ago, TIL 1010 said:

I think if Wagner and let's not forget Andy Hughes in this shambles were to be ousted a new man could get a different tune out of the squad.

You thought this about Dean Smith too. Which new man would do the business?

[canarybubbles 1,937]

Yes, I think this squad could, at least in theory, get into the play-offs. I would say three places are as good as taken already - Leicester, Leeds and the Binners. Add to them probably Southampton. Judging by recent form, maybe we can add Middlesbrough. But the last spot is wide open and at the moment I think any one of a dozen teams might get it. 

 

Edited October 22, 2023 by canarybubbles

[Jimmy Raggatip 61]

we're somewhere between the 6th and 10th best side in my view. And that is about where we'll finish

[ZLF 274]

9 hours ago, Harry53 said:

Could Sorensen be the answer for defensive cover?

Doubtful, his pace is an issue, his discipline,  touch and reading of the game are sound, but to be the deep one covering the width of the pitch a little more pace is needed.  

But that he his probably the best option tells you just poorly planned the options are.