- Nov 14, 2012
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I think we have depth in most positions - losing Lloris would be horrific, as would Kane &, given we have no one like him, Dier (however, whilst I think we'd lose some defensive solidity, there are other players we can bring in for him) but, elsewhere, I don't really see that:
CB: We could lose one of the CBs for a stretch and we would be fine - Wimmer looks a good prospect and Fazio is not utterly terrible - we could also play Dier back there as well
FB: Most people had Rose and Trippier in their first XI
CM: Dier aside, we have Mason, Bentaleb, Alli, Carrol, Dembele - huge depth
AM: Son, Eriksen, Lamela, Chadli, Townsend, Pritchard, N'Jie - we can also play Dembele, All, Mason & Carroll there - huge depth
Str: Problem area but Son &/or N'Jie could surprise us
Depth is nowhere near as much of an issue as last season given 1) the personnel is much more like for like than last season (Paulinho as a 10 anyone?!?) and 2) the quality is improved (both in terms of new players and players improving on last season).
I think Poch will also rotate more sensibly this season - he doesn't seem like he's playing a First XI and a second XI, more of a first XI and then a mix of First XI and fringe players. We also have the fittest and youngest squad, means we don't need to rest so many players - Chelsea, United etc. manage to do this every year in the champions league (where they don't play two different sides, one for league and one for the CL) - players CAN play 45 games a season and not burn out.
We're fine on depth, it's quality where I think we *could* fall short but I'm not even certain that is true - if this side start to believe & play with confidence well, then, they sky really could be the limit - the season Liverpool nearly won the league, people would have laughed if you said they had a chance in September!
I couldn't disagree more
Fazio is not even championship level. Wimmer we will see. Dier can only play one position. Make your mind up mate.
CM. I don't really see any of those as cover for Dier. Mason is better deployed going forward. Bentaleb is not mature enough. Alli looks a hot prospect but again he isn't a holding mf. Though he does seem combative. Carroll? Sorry mate can't see it. Dembele isn't fit and I can't really remember him playing well as cover for the back 4 before.
AM. Definitely have a bit more scope there I agree.
Str. Son looks decent after a couple of games but he doesn't strike me as an out an out forward.
I think we will have a very up and down season. Some good games some poor. And that will reflect our league position. The problem will come due to us lacking depth in the squad and inexperience.
As I said though. I hope I am wrong. be great to see the likes of Scum and Chelsea struggle but with their depth I think they will get over the line. Quality usually outs. The manchesters will be fine even if they do have a run in Europe. Funnily enough with Yanited it's the lack of Carrick that could hurt them. But when you can bring in Schweinsteiger you see what squad depth really means for a top 4 side.