The Balance of the Squad

NWCherries98

NWCherries98

Fans' Favourite
Compared to the state of the squad at the beginning of the season, I think we can be really happy with the quality of options we have in nearly every position. Also loving the way the entire squad has been subtly overhauled from the general negativity of our last 18 months in the PL.

Introducing both new signings who are happy to fight for the club in its present state and a couple of really bright prospects from the academy has reinvigorated us in a way that would have been ideal but probably unrealistic last season. Combine this with the entirely new coaching staff and (jury still out for some) style of play and defensive nous. Just feeling very positive about where we’re at

GK
Travers
Nyland

RB
Stacey
Smith

CB
Cahill
Kelly
Mepham
Ibsen Rossi

LB
Zemura
Davis

CM
Lerma
Pearson
Cook
Kilkenny

CAM
Billing
Christie
Marcondes

WM
Christie
Brooks
Anthony
Stanislas
Rogers

FW
Solanke
Lowe

There are obviously still a few weak areas; Travers has a Federici esque backup who isn’t entirely convincing, LB looks a bit frail if Zemura suddenly hits a bad patch. Lowe was a great signing imo but we still look very light upfront. You could also argue however that we have made several signings this season that would have been great for many PL clubs, particularly Cahill and Christie. We suddenly have robust options on the wings, real competition for Brooks who has been dragging his feet for months and midfield options that could potentially rival many lower mid table PL clubs. IMO.

It feels like the squad is both more unified than it’s been in years, while also having great depth for when anyone’s levels dip. :utc:
 
NWCherries98 said:
Compared to the state of the squad at the beginning of the season, I think we can be really happy with the quality of options we have in nearly every position. Also loving the way the entire squad has been subtly overhauled from the general negativity of our last 18 months in the PL.

Introducing both new signings who are happy to fight for the club in its present state and a couple of really bright prospects from the academy has reinvigorated us in a way that would have been ideal but probably unrealistic last season. Combine this with the entirely new coaching staff and (jury still out for some) style of play and defensive nous. Just feeling very positive about where we’re at

GK
Travers
Nyland

RB
Stacey
Smith

CB
Cahill
Kelly
Mepham
Ibsen Rossi

LB
Zemura
Davis

CM
Lerma
Pearson
Cook
Kilkenny

CAM
Billing
Christie
Marcondes

WM
Christie
Brooks
Anthony
Stanislas
Rogers

FW
Solanke
Lowe

There are obviously still a few weak areas; Travers has a Federici esque backup who isn’t entirely convincing, LB looks a bit frail if Zemura suddenly hits a bad patch. Lowe was a great signing imo but we still look very light upfront. You could also argue however that we have made several signings this season that would have been great for many PL clubs, particularly Cahill and Christie. We suddenly have robust options on the wings, real competition for Brooks who has been dragging his feet for months and midfield options that could potentially rival many lower mid table PL clubs. IMO.

It feels like the squad is both more unified than it’s been in years, while also having great depth for when anyone’s levels dip. :utc:
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Marcondes? Totally forgotten he was still here.
 
Sorry Roger said:
With my head I couldn’t agree more with the original post. My heart and soul is saddened that there is seemingly no room for Steve Cook in this list.

Will we get a chance to give him a send off I wonder?
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It’s a massive shame for sure but with all the reports going around it almost seemed inappropriate to include him as an “option”. I think the 6-0 might end up being the last we see of him. If anyone deserves a send off, a spot on the legends wall and more it’s Cookie.
 
Prefer to give Kilkenny and Ibsen Rossi decent loan spells in January if we can to help their development rather than missing the bench if we can rely on the fitness of Steve & lewis Cook
 
Great options all over the pitch but we are very light if Dom picks up an injury as he's so crucial to how we are playing. Let's see how Lowe gets on and pray Dom stays fit!

We will need more goals from midfield (not just Billing). Hopefully Brooks, Christie and Anthony can chip in. As a reference, Pugh (9), Yann (15), Ritchie (15) and Arter (9) scored 48 league goals between them in 14/15. If Solanke and Billing manage the 30 odd that Wilson/Pitman did between them, then others will still need to contribute.
 
AFCB_Liam said:
Great options all over the pitch but we are very light if Dom picks up an injury as he's so crucial to how we are playing. Let's see how Lowe gets on and pray Dom stays fit!

We will need more goals from midfield (not just Billing). Hopefully Brooks, Christie and Anthony can chip in. As a reference, Pugh (9), Yann (15), Ritchie (15) and Arter (9) scored 48 league goals between them in 14/15. If Solanke and Billing manage the 30 odd that Wilson/Pitman did between them, then others will still need to contribute.
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This is a worry. Are there enough goals in this side? We are very reliant on Solanke and Billing at the moment. Christie looks like he can create but not sure how many goals he’s got in him. Anthony likewise. Lerma and Pearson don’t score and Brooks is so erratic who knows what he will do. If we say that Billing and Solanke will get 40 between them as a generous estimate, where are the rest of the goals coming from? To get promoted you’d think we’d need to find approximately another thirty or so from somewhere…
 
AFCB_Liam said:
Great options all over the pitch but we are very light if Dom picks up an injury as he's so crucial to how we are playing. Let's see how Lowe gets on and pray Dom stays fit!

We will need more goals from midfield (not just Billing). Hopefully Brooks, Christie and Anthony can chip in. As a reference, Pugh (9), Yann (15), Ritchie (15) and Arter (9) scored 48 league goals between them in 14/15. If Solanke and Billing manage the 30 odd that Wilson/Pitman did between them, then others will still need to contribute.
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I agree although SP isn’t likely to create a team of goal robots like Eddie!
 
Waz afcb said:
This is a worry. Are there enough goals in this side? We are very reliant on Solanke and Billing at the moment. Christie looks like he can create but not sure how many goals he’s got in him. Anthony likewise. Lerma and Pearson don’t score and Brooks is so erratic who knows what he will do. If we say that Billing and Solanke will get 40 between them as a generous estimate, where are the rest of the goals coming from? To get promoted you’d think we’d need to find approximately another thirty or so from somewhere…
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I don’t think there’s a lot to worry about after 11 games, we haven’t even seen much of Lowe and Rogers who were bought in to score goals. Zemura always looks a threat. Lerma’s not scared to have a go. We need to get the best out of Brooks again. I’d love Pearson to have a crack once in a while too. He seems very reluctant to have a shot.
 
Christie scored 27 goals in 95 appearances for Celtic, three of them penalties. (Incidentally, that’s 3 from 3 taken.)

He is still adjusting to the greater intensity of the Championship and to playing In a wider position. He has goals in him and I expect he’ll score 4 or 5 for us this season.
 
Not sure I would loan any players out it is a long season and we will need to have good cover. IF we are in a solid challenging position come January I would hope that Max would give Scott something to spend on another striker?
 
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