how strong or weak is our squad really?

[Baldyboy 1]

after seeing todays team do we really have a strong enough squad for the rest of the season, especially with anymore injuries or suspensions? Our back up players look average at best to me and if we get many more injuries we really could slip down the table. I hope we get a couple of decent players in during this transfer window.

[Branston Pickle 4,150]

Yes, we do - plenty of sides would start to rely on squad players with 5-6 potential first team starters out.

That said, we do look weak in attack, particularly if Holt is out, so this is hopefully something CH will sort early in the Window.

[Mungo Bumpkin 0]

Think we''re in the process of getting a rather painful answer to your astute question.

[City 2nd 193]

This question was raised at the start of the season, and is being answered in no uncertain terms today. Simply lacking in quality in several areas, particularly up front! We are by no means out of the relegation battle developing in the bottom half of the table, four defeats on he trot coming up, and villa defeat in the cup to boot! Speaks volumes, and I don''t think we should be under any illusions at all, we are currently in freefall, and this squad needs strengthening with quality very quickly.

[SplatCat 18]

Holt, Ruddy, Garrido, Whittaker are massive losses.Kane much worse than Holt, Bunn much worse than Ruddy, R Martin much worse than Garrido and R Bennett much worse than Whittaker.We are finding out that our first choice 11 is much better than the replacements.

[Crafty Canary 547]

Shows how great the need is for a couple of goal scorers. Unfortunately where they will come from is anyone''s guess as is the money to bring them in.

I still think we''ll be OK however it might well be tighter than we''d like.

[Sussexyellow 55]

Agree Splat. 1st eleven are competitive, can perhaps get away with one or two out. Beyond that and we struggle.

With the lack of attacking options today it looked as though it was a lost cause, and so its proving to be.

Got 11 days in which to sort it. Hopefully some of the regulars back for Newcastle.

[PurpleCanary 6,388]

We are missing four-fifths of the spine of the first-choice starting eleven. If today (which I haven''t watched!) shows anything is that we need as much quality cover for the spine players as money will allow, and that the argument that, say, we shouldn''t spend money on strikers because they might not get much game-time is quite false.

[PurpleCanary 6,388]

[quote user="PurpleCanary"]We are missing four-fifths of the spine of the first-choice starting eleven. If today (which I haven''t watched!) shows anything is that we need as much quality cover for the spine players as money will allow, and that the argument that, say, we shouldn''t spend money on strikers because they might not get much game-time is quite false.[/quote]

 

Ugh. Three-quarters rather than four-fifths...[:$] but the point remains.

[drurys testamonials V 15 0]

4/5 or 3/4 either way out of a team of 11 that''s messy [;)]

[Helsinki canary 302]

It is very clear that we lack quality in depth, we were lucky in the 10 game run to avoid injuries and suspensions, now with 2-3 key players out we re fully exposed, Bennett should of been on much earlier in the game today, he has the speed and is the best crosser of the ball, the change came too late

[Baracouda 47]

realistically, most teams in the division bar the rich ones, don''t have that good a back up. If we are expecting 25 players that are good enough to be our regular first teamers, then how much do you expect our wage budget to be?

Like most teams we have a good first team + a few on the bench. Then the quality drops off a bit.

We also have to remember that we have significantly changed the tactics from last season, where as the players who could do a job in that formation may not be suitable to a 4231 i.e Jackson, you wouldn''t play upfront on his own.

This team is very much a work in progress with it being CH''s first season, and I would expect over January and the next transfer window for players to come in more suited to CH''s system. We have to be delighted to be in the position we are all things considered, and the fact 6 of the regulars are ''new''... i.e back 4, Tettey, Snoddy. It would only take a couple more real quality signings to significantly improve the quality and depth of the squad.

[Martin Bryant 0]

being realistic we wouldnt have expected anything against chelsea or man city (going on the money they spend on their teams etc) so its a defeat against a good west brom and a poor match against west ham due to half the squad being out injured...

nothing to worry about its just bringing us all back to reality after the amazing 10 game run earlier...

[Raedwald 0]

I also think the 10 game run flattered us a bit we were lucky in the second half against Sunderland and to a certain degree against Swansea. The team have to learn that the game is 90 minutes not 45!

Also the way this season is panning out I have horrible memories of 94-95. Seventh at Christmas, people talking of a European spot then injured goal keeper one win in twenty and relegation.

Now let me see 11th at Christmas, people talking of possible european places, injured goalkeeper, no wins out of four...............

I''m not saying de ja vue but it makes you think!!

 

[ZLF 335]

it highlights we do have wing cover with elliott and we should use him more.

that we dont have defensive midfield cover, BJ or tettey injured means the team suffers, howson not quite adequate enough. Fox maybe but CH is not keen. Target a new one.

that we need striking options, holt and morison cover each other and are just about good enough, Kane and Jackon (un-Able?) are not up to standard - 2 needed this jan.

Ruddy - we are now learning just how important he is to us, Bunn is not bad, but we need better, and I am still onconvinced he is better than Rudd.

At the back we have 2 injuries only, to whittaker and garido. That Tierney does not start tells you CH rates him as soundly as Fox. New left back is needed.

our squad is not bad - but it is thin in some crucial places - defensive midfield and strikers, Biglia and ? Toure? Malenguo? needed

No need for panic though - we will still get the points needed - but just a lot more needed up front as frankly this season not even holt has cut the mustard.

[PurpleCanary 6,388]

[quote user="ZippersLeftFoot"]it highlights we do have wing cover with elliott and we should use him more. that we dont have defensive midfield cover, BJ or tettey injured means the team suffers, howson not quite adequate enough. Fox maybe but CH is not keen. Target a new one. that we need striking options, holt and morison cover each other and are just about good enough, Kane and Jackon (un-Able?) are not up to standard - 2 needed this jan. Ruddy - we are now learning just how important he is to us, Bunn is not bad, but we need better, and I am still onconvinced he is better than Rudd. At the back we have 2 injuries only, to whittaker and garido. That Tierney does not start tells you CH rates him as soundly as Fox. New left back is needed. our squad is not bad - but it is thin in some crucial places - defensive midfield and strikers, Biglia and ? Toure? Malenguo? needed No need for panic though - we will still get the points needed - but just a lot more needed up front as frankly this season not even holt has cut the mustard.[/quote]

 

This was the point I was making. We are not going to have top-quality cover for ever position, but we lack quality cover for the spine of goalkeeper, central defence, central midfield and main striker. With the latter being especially relevant given Hughton''s preference for 4-4-1-1.

[Highland Canary 78]

Our squad was always one of the weakest in the league.

We exceeded expectationsast year driven on by Lambert''s will. We were always going to struggle this season.

Bassong and Garrido in defence have been good additions but the loss of Naughton exposes our weakness of Martin at right back again.

But I don''t believe any of our forwards except Holt would find a home in any other PL team. It is this weakness, and the failure to address it, that will likely cost us our PL position.

Unfortunately, with our ''mutual'' ownership arrangements it is only a matter of time before we return to the Championship. We have to face the facts that we cannot compete financially against any of the clubs around us.