What's new

What the pundits & media are saying about us

Johnny J

Not the Kiwi you need but the one you deserve
Aug 18, 2012
18,124
47,910
Whilst I agree we have strength in some areas, I'd say our '2nd XI' is weaker than the other top teams.

Some of this is up for debate but arguably our second team is:

Vorm
KWP
Carter Vickers
Wimmer
Davies
Dier
Winks
Sissoko
Son
N'Koudou
Janssen

Is that strong enough? For me it needs a bit of a boost if we're to challenge the mega bucks teams.
Our reliable forward options are pretty shit, basically only Son.
 
Last edited:

Lighty64

I believe
Aug 24, 2010
10,400
12,476
Actually that is not bloody bad at all. Maybe improve on KWP and Carter-Vickers with some players with more experience but it's still good.

the only way they get experience is to not keep blocking their paths with another signing.
 

talkshowhost86

Mod-Moose
Staff
Oct 2, 2004
48,105
47,061
the only way they get experience is to not keep blocking their paths with another signing.

This is the dilemma. You do have to give them the chance, but you then need to have the confidence that they're good enough to allow them that chance.

It's a very fine line, and one that fans cannot offer a huge amount of insight on unless they've seen a lot of the younger players. And even then it's far from certain that players can make the step up from junior level.

But that's where Poch and co need to earn their keep.
 

Hazardousman

Audere est Facere
Jul 24, 2013
4,619
8,944
Yeah it's certainly not bad by any stretch, but I think there are some areas that we could definitely improve on.

There are three players in there who haven't proven themselves yet in KWP, Carter-Vickers and N'Koudou. I think we'll have to take Poch's view on these players as he'll have seen them more than most of us, but from what I've seen I wouldn't want to rely too much on N'Koudou, and there's always worries about a young centre back.

Sissoko is the obvious problem, so with doubts over him and N'Koudou, I wouldn't mind seeing a talented wide forward coming in, which was presumably why we were looking at Balde, and will now maybe persue the likes of King and Grey.

Barkley would also offer another option in midfield both going forwards and possibly a bit deeper, and we've then hopefully got Onomah coming through next season after his loan spell.

So yeah, 3-4 players and I think we've got a very good squad, although without those additions I think we are at risk of being a bit light in crucial areas.

In other words....big 3 weeks for Poch and Levy.

You mean big 3 weeks for Levy, Poch has nothing to prove as far as I am concerned, Levy has a history of doing this with managers so if we fail, the blame should fall at his feet imo, it's pretty clear Poch wants signings.

In terms of our depth, when we are at full strength with no injuries our depth looks good, If Rose is fit we have a bench of Davies, Vorm, Winks, Son etc but there is key areas I think we need to improve.

Firstly, is RB, that is a KEY area, we have no suitable backup (which makes the sale of Walker even more ridiculous imo) but nonetheless, Pereira would be a perfect option, he has pace, he is skillful and is still young and hungry, that would be my first signing.

Secondly, we need an option that will push Kane, if he goes off the boil or gets injured we need someone that can step in, not only step in but challenge him for his place, King would be perfect for this, young and hungry and can learn from the best, would be great for rotation in the cups as well.

Thirdly, we need someone to challenge Alli or Eriksen, Barkley I am not keen on personally but he would probably be our only affordable option in term of wages and transfer fee and with Poch coaching him who knows what his potential is, I am pretty sure nobody thought Rose would be as good as he is or many other players until Poch came in and look what happened.

So all in all, those are the three areas I think we should be addressing (should have been addressed weeks ago before the start of the season.)

Truth is this, if we fail to get any business done to add to our depth before the end of the window the blame should be with Levy and the scout, not Poch.
 
Last edited:

Lilbaz

Just call me Baz
Apr 1, 2005
41,363
74,893
Whilst I agree we have strength in some areas, I'd say our '2nd XI' is weaker than the other top teams.

Some of this is up for debate but arguably our second team is:

Vorm
KWP
Carter Vickers
Wimmer
Davies
Dier
Winks
Sissoko
Son
N'Koudou
Janssen

Is that strong enough? For me it needs a bit of a boost if we're to challenge the mega bucks teams.

6 internationals and players with potential (who knows how good they can be)?

Are you classing lamela as first team? Think i might swap him with son.

We can always use a boost. But i wouldn't shit myself going into the season with that squad.
 

Johnny J

Not the Kiwi you need but the one you deserve
Aug 18, 2012
18,124
47,910
You mean big 3 weeks for Levy, Poch has nothing to prove as far as I am concerned, Levy has a history of doing this with managers so if we fail, the blame should fall at his feet imo, it's pretty clear Poch wants signing.

In terms of our depth, when we are at full strength with no injuries our depth looks good, If Rose is fit we have a bench of Davies, Vorm, Winks, Son etc but there is key areas I think we need to improve.

Firstly, is RB, that is a KEY area, we have no suitable backup (which makes the sale of Walker even more ridiculous imo) but nonetheless, Pereira would be a perfect option, he has pace, he is skillful and is still young and hungry, that would be my first signing.

Secondly, we need an option that will push Kane, if he goes off the boil or gets injured we need someone that can step in, not only step in but challenge him for his place, King would be perfect for this, young and hungry and can learn from the best, would be great for rotation in the cups as well.

Thirdly, we need someone to challenge Alli or Eriksen, Barkley I am not keen on personally but he would probably be our only affordable option in term of wages and transfer fee and with Poch coaching him who knows what his potential is, I am pretty sure nobody thought Rose would be as good as or many other players until Poch came in and look what happened.

So all in all, those are the three areas I think we should be addressing (should have been addressed weeks ago before the start of the season.)

Truth is this, if we fail to get any business done to add to our depth before the end of the window the blame should be with Levy and the scout, not Poch.
Great post. Let's get some players in to compete for the first team. Maybe they'll even play better than the existing first 11!
 

Lighty64

I believe
Aug 24, 2010
10,400
12,476
This is the dilemma. You do have to give them the chance, but you then need to have the confidence that they're good enough to allow them that chance.

It's a very fine line, and one that fans cannot offer a huge amount of insight on unless they've seen a lot of the younger players. And even then it's far from certain that players can make the step up from junior level.

But that's where Poch and co need to earn their keep.

Well at least Poch works hard on this integrating youth into the squad. Myself looking at KWP in a couple of the youth World Cup matches I thought he looked to small, but thought he did well v Juventus. I'd of been happier if Walker had held of for another season, so that KWP could of been used in cup games. Let's hope if he has to be used he takes the bull by the horns and keeps Trippier on his toes
 

guiltyparty

Well-Known Member
Sep 21, 2005
9,023
13,524
McNumpty's done his 'predictions'. Only surprise is that he doesn't have Liverpool winning the league by February.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40816204

Of course Liverpool will be completely unaffected by the imminent sale of their best player and the added effect of actually being in Europe for once. We're going to plummet down the table.

Actually irritates me more that everyone is having Everton and West Ham to be competitive. Talking about Arnautovic as if it's Ibrahimavoic based on pre season and not a Bentley style big fish in a small pond who turns up 1 in 3 or 4.

Think Everton could drop places. Lost their top scorer, about to lose their top assister, signed shedloads of players at once (that always goes well) and they'll have to crowbar in Rooney who has looked dreadful for a while. May have a cheeky bottom half bet
 
Last edited:

BringBack_leGin

Well-Known Member
Jul 28, 2004
27,719
54,929
Whilst I agree we have strength in some areas, I'd say our '2nd XI' is weaker than the other top teams.

Some of this is up for debate but arguably our second team is:

Vorm
KWP
Carter Vickers
Wimmer
Davies
Dier
Winks
Sissoko
Son
N'Koudou
Janssen

Is that strong enough? For me it needs a bit of a boost if we're to challenge the mega bucks teams.

Reckon after last season Son first choice and Lamela goes in your second xi.
 

Gb160

Well done boys. Good process
Jun 20, 2012
23,646
93,315
Actually irritates me more that everyone is having Everton and West Ham to be competitive. Talking about Arnautovic as if it's Ibrahimavoic based on pre season and not a Bentley style big fish in a small pond who turns up 1 in 3 or 4.

Actually think Everton could drop places. Lost their top scorer, about to lose their top assister, signed shedloads of players at once (that always goes well) and they'll have to crowbar in Rooney who has looked dreadful for a while. May have a cheeky bottom half bet
Yeah I agree with the Everton bit, they'll also be dragged around the dingy corners of Europe on Thursday nights won't help them either.
 

nightgoat

Well-Known Member
Sep 12, 2005
24,604
21,898
Whilst I agree we have strength in some areas, I'd say our '2nd XI' is weaker than the other top teams.

Some of this is up for debate but arguably our second team is:

Vorm
KWP
Carter Vickers
Wimmer
Davies
Dier
Winks
Sissoko
Son
N'Koudou
Janssen

Is that strong enough? For me it needs a bit of a boost if we're to challenge the mega bucks teams.

I know you've acknowledged that XI is debatable, but Dier has been in the first XI for three seasons now. I think you're just including him out of necessity to make the numbers up. Also off the back of a 21 goal season, Son is clearly a first choice player.
 

Marty

Audere est farce
Mar 10, 2005
39,885
62,564
Whilst I agree we have strength in some areas, I'd say our '2nd XI' is weaker than the other top teams.

Some of this is up for debate but arguably our second team is:

Vorm
KWP
Carter Vickers
Wimmer
Davies
Dier
Winks
Sissoko
Son
N'Koudou
Janssen

Is that strong enough? For me it needs a bit of a boost if we're to challenge the mega bucks teams.
In the dark ages of 95-04 we would've been delighted with an XI like that.

Not that I don't agree with you, we undoubtedly have far less depth than our top 6 competitors, just saying.
 

Luka Van der Bale

Well-Known Member
Jan 29, 2011
6,041
13,611
In the dark ages of 95-04 we would've been delighted with an XI like that.

Not that I don't agree with you, we undoubtedly have far less depth than our top 6 competitors, just saying.
We don't have worse depth than Chelsea, Arsenal or Liverpool.
 
Top