Just considering what is our best starting line-up and how well balanced it is with a mixture of top-level experience, exciting youth and general quality and then beyond that, the options are plentiful on the bench, when you start to put a team together and see this, you can't help but get excited.
Howard
Coleman Jagielka Distin Baines
Mirallas McCarthy Barry Pienaar
Barkley
Lukaku
subs: Robles, Alcaraz, Deulofeu, Gibson, Osman, Kone, Jelavic
squaddies beyond that: Naismith, Stones, Heitinga, Gueye, Vellios, Hibbert.
This is as strong and well balanced we have been in a very long time. If pitch reflects paper and Martinez can sort out the final 3rd (I think Lukaku and Kone will adapt to the team and provide a real cutting edge that will stretch teams here anyway). Then I don't see why we can't push for fourth along with the likes of spurs, Arsenal and RS. Some will cite Ozil pushing Arsenal on but I see Barkley with the potential to be as good or better in that position. He's as exciting a talent as Gotze or Thiago. I know my optimism will now get blasted down by most on here and that Lukaku is only temporary but for this season I don't fear any team we play in this division, with that squad fit and together.
Howard
Coleman Jagielka Distin Baines
Mirallas McCarthy Barry Pienaar
Barkley
Lukaku
subs: Robles, Alcaraz, Deulofeu, Gibson, Osman, Kone, Jelavic
squaddies beyond that: Naismith, Stones, Heitinga, Gueye, Vellios, Hibbert.
This is as strong and well balanced we have been in a very long time. If pitch reflects paper and Martinez can sort out the final 3rd (I think Lukaku and Kone will adapt to the team and provide a real cutting edge that will stretch teams here anyway). Then I don't see why we can't push for fourth along with the likes of spurs, Arsenal and RS. Some will cite Ozil pushing Arsenal on but I see Barkley with the potential to be as good or better in that position. He's as exciting a talent as Gotze or Thiago. I know my optimism will now get blasted down by most on here and that Lukaku is only temporary but for this season I don't fear any team we play in this division, with that squad fit and together.