Our squad has never been stronger (discuss ...)

[mendesstormer]

While there's obviously still some debate about the exact make-up of our first-choice 11, and perhaps some doubt over their quality, too, it could be argued we've never had a stronger squad if this is our 'cup team':

Vorm (or Friedel)
Naughton (or Dier) 2 from Dawson/Chiriches/Dier Rose (or Davies)
2 from Sandro/Paulinho/Dembele/Mason/Bentaleb (depending on first choice players in this position)
Townsend Holtby Chadli
Ade (or Soldado)

What do you think? Have we ever had a stronger second string?

 

[Wheeler Dealer]

While there's obviously still some debate about the exact make-up of our first-choice 11, and perhaps some doubt over their quality, too, it could be argued we've never had a stronger squad if this is our 'cup team':

Vorm (or Friedel)
Naughton (or Dier) 2 from Dawson/Chiriches/Dier Rose (or Davies)
2 from Sandro/Paulinho/Dembele/Mason/Bentaleb (depending on first choice players in this position)
Townsend Holtby Chadli
Ade (or Soldado)

What do you think? Have we ever had a stronger second string?

It's basically the same squad that got murdered by City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool last season.. A new manager may have a positive approach, but there are no guarantees. I would feel a little more optimistic if we had signed a strong and quick centre back and centre forward, but we haven't.

 

[razor1981]

1st XI:
Lloris
Walker
Kaboul
Vertonghen
Davies
Capoue
Holtby
Lamela
Eriksen
Townsend
Adebayor

2nd XI:
Vorm
Naughton
Chiriches
Dawson
Rose
Sandro
Dembele
Chadli
Paulinho
Lennon
Soldado

3rd XI:
Friedel
Fredericks (Yedlin)
Dier
Veljkovic
Fryers
Bentaleb
Mason
Ceballos
Carroll
McEvoy/Pritchard
Kane


Does seem like decent depth when you look at it like that.

 

[spurslenny]

Stronger, yes, but more effective to the Bale/Modric/VdV team? Not for me.

However, if the likes of Lamela, Soldado and Eriksen hit top form then we will be frightening.

Edit: still not entirely sure if that 3 will be as dynamic as Bale/Modric/VdV

 

[chinaman]

The addition of Vorm, Davies and Dier no doubt made the squad stronger than last season.

 

[kungfugrip]

In my view it's all relative.........All the teams above us have stronger squads than they've ever had, therefore nothing changes because their players are still that bit better than ours.

We need to have this strong squad just to stay 5th or 6th in the league.

 

[mendesstormer]

Stronger, yes, but more effective to the Bale/Modric/VdV team? Not for me.

However, if the likes of Lamela, Soldado and Eriksen hit top form then we will be frightening.

Edit: still not entirely sure if that 3 will be as dynamic as Bale/Modric/VdV

No, I agree entirely - we can't match Bale/Modric/VDV from the present squad. But you're talking about the difference in first-team quality rather than squad depth.

 

[mendesstormer]

In my view it's all relative.........All the teams above us have stronger squads than they've ever had, therefore nothing changes because their players are still that bit better than ours.

We need to have this strong squad just to stay 5th or 6th in the league.

All teams above us have stronger squads than ever before? Hmm .. not sure Man Utd or Arsenal do, for example?

 

[Lenten]

And

Stronger, yes, but more effective to the Bale/Modric/VdV team? Not for me.

However, if the likes of Lamela, Soldado and Eriksen hit top form then we will be frightening.

Edit: still not entirely sure if that 3 will be as dynamic as Bale/Modric/VdV

Don't forget a fired-up Ade, Parker on top form and Sandro, BAE... Can't believe we only finished fourth.

 

[kungfugrip]

All teams above us have stronger squads than ever before? Hmm .. not sure Man Utd or Arsenal do, for example?

Squads? I'd say Arsenal definitely have a stronger squad now than at any other time. Their first 11-14 players when they went unbeaten in 04-05 was very good but after that you were down to the likes of Cygan, Senderos, Pennant, Aliadiere, Hoyte.

 

[walworthyid]

Squads? I'd say Arsenal definitely have a stronger squad now than at any other time. Their first 11-14 players when they went unbeaten in 04-05 was very good but after that you were down to the likes of Cygan, Senderos, Pennant, Aliadiere, Hoyte.

But the balance of the 04-05 squad was far better imo. That squad had everything. It's not always the components but the sum of them. That team would win the league today.

 

[eddiebailey]

Lots of players, but all 'much of a muchness' without the outstanding individuals of yesteryear, as yet at any rate, though we live in hope that some may yet live up to their hype.

 

[dagraham]

Sorry, not for me. There was a time we had both Walker and Corluka at RB and players like Kranjar and Pinnear who couldn't even get in the team. And that's not mentioning the fact we had Ledley, a fully fit and firing Kaboul, Bale, Modric, VDV in the first team.

We have a deep squad in certain areas, but how many match winners do we have to call on? How many players in the squad are able to really create and pass the ball (and I don't mean backwards or sideways)?

 

[Supersi32]

Sorry, not for me. There was a time we had both Walker and Corluka at RB and players like Kranjar and Pinnear who couldn't even get in the team. And that's not mentioning the fact we had Ledley, a fully fit and firing Kaboul, Bale, Modric, VDV in the first team.

We have a deep squad in certain areas, but how many match winners do we have to call on? How many players in the squad are able to really create and pass the ball (and I don't mean backwards or sideways)?

I`d say we have Holtby, Lamela, Eriksen and Capoue who can all play a defence splitting pass, you could probably add Soldado to that list, and if my eyes did not decieve me I believe I saw Bentaleb play a peach of a pass to put Kane through against Schalke.

 

[Air Jordan 3]

Definitely the best squad we have ever had. We could do with upgrading quality in a few positions for actual 1st team. Should be no need to play anyone out of position this year.

 

[kungfugrip]

I`d say we have Holtby, Lamela, Eriksen and Capoue who can all play a defence splitting pass, you could probably add Soldado to that list, and if my eyes did not decieve me I believe I saw Bentaleb play a peach of a pass to put Kane through against Schalke.

How many defence splitting passes can you remember these players making last year??!!

 

[parklane1]

We have a good/strong squad what we need is a good coach to bring the best out of them, lets hope Poch is that man.