Squad strength?

[davek]

id say he needs another delefeu and a suarez like type player

spend 10 mil on each and we will be fine.

I think we have to take this opportunity to spend reasonably big and hang in there to see if we can get our noses over the line.

When are we getting this opportunity again off the back of 38 points as a base to work from?

 

[davek]

But totally not influenced by the feeling of disappointment after a draw.

Top 4 was always going to be tough, I think it's more telling that when our squad is stretched we're pretty unfortunate to only get 4 points from 9.

Not really. The S'ton game was not convincing.

We've had three games and a dip...and it coincides with an injury/suspension crisis. Hence the thread.

 

[billycopper]

You're happy with the way we've handled the strain of the Christmas period then?

As Roberto said, we made 5 changes against Southampton and we played like a team. It's reassuring that Joel, Stones, Alcaraz and Oviedo can come into the side and we don't suddenly look like we're about to concede a lot of goals.

 

[Skint out]

Well, 4 points from the last 9 with three of the easiest fixtures we'll get; we couldn't handle the losses of Jagielka, Distin, and the suspensions of Howard and Barry for one game.

We'll merely replace two squad players with another two in the window it looks like. Ok, it's been a difficult period over Christmas, but we're looking at 6th here realistically aren't we?

lol.

Stoke have only conceded 6 goals at home before Baines slotted that pen. Stoke Away has never been an easy fixture.
We struggled against Sunderland because of the Howard sending off and then they parked the bus.
Southhampton are in great form and we churned out a result against them.

They where hard games and we where very unlucky not to get a win today with Mirallas smashing the post twice.

 

[davek]

Just to underline: this is not a criticism thread. The lads have been first rate this season and the manager is obviously the dog's knackers.

 

[davek]

lol.

Stoke have only conceded 6 goals at home before Baines slotted that pen. Stoke Away has never been an easy fixture.
We struggled against Sunderland because of the Howard sending off and then they parked the bus.
Southhampton are in great form and we churned out a result against them.

They where hard games and we where very unlucky not to get a win today with Mirallas smashing the post twice.

Be fair mate; didn't we all have these mentally pencilled in the win column given the results we've been getting prior to Christmas?

 

[kenada_blue]

Gibson sort out the midfield -

McCarthy, Barry, Osman, Gibson, Barkley.

Back 4 is fine
Jagielka, Distin, Stones, Alcaraz, Heitinga (who's going), Duffy.

Its up top that's a concern. We've only got 1 real striker, and a few attacking midfielders - Mirallas, and Barca Kid who is injured.

To me, we don't have the resources to have a deep squad full of quality. Its far better than the RS. The only difference is that they've got a 20+ a season striker.

 

[steken1]

Well, 4 points from the last 9 with three of the easiest fixtures we'll get; we couldn't handle the losses of Jagielka, Distin, and the suspensions of Howard and Barry for one game.

We'll merely replace two squad players with another two in the window it looks like. Ok, it's been a difficult period over Christmas, but we're looking at 6th here realistically aren't we?

I wouldn't say so.

We know this is a hard period and we'll struggle a bit when injuries and suspensions kick in. We've got some very good players to come back and other players to come back into form.

We where still unlucky today.

 

[billycopper]

Gibson sort out the midfield -

McCarthy, Barry, Osman, Gibson, Barkley.

Back 4 is fine
Jagielka, Distin, Stones, Alcaraz, Heitinga (who's going), Duffy.

Its up top that's a concern. We've only got 1 real striker, and a few attacking midfielders - Mirallas, and Barca Kid who is injured.

To me, we don't have the resources to have a deep squad full of quality. Its far better than the RS. The only difference is that they've got a 20+ a season striker.

If we can replace Jelavic with someone who will have the impact that he had when he first arrived things would look a lot better.

 

[CahillsCornerFlag]

In terms of players that definitely need shipping out and replacing;

Gueye, Jelavic, Heitinga, Vellios. Replace these with 4 good/quality players and we're talking top 4.

 

[kenada_blue]

Be fair mate; didn't we all have these mentally pencilled in the win column given the results we've been getting prior to Christmas?

Have to be nuts if that was penciled in.

 

[malfosse]

Be fair mate; didn't we all have these mentally pencilled in the win column given the results we've been getting prior to Christmas?

This was Stones' debut and Alcaraz' second game I would have taken a point away to Stoke today.

 

[dholliday]

We'll merely replace two squad players with another two in the window it looks like.

Realistically, Martinez has to be backed heavily this month in the transfer market to stay in touch.

I think we have to take this opportunity to spend reasonably big and hang in there to see if we can get our noses over the line.

Don't you get bored of this? You probably can't wait for us to not spend big so you can lay into Kenwright and the board.


Martinez has said that the January window isn't necessarily the one for big signings. He also said he will try to improve the squad. It might not mean a massive net spend, but it might mean (like the summer window) we have overall a better squad.


Let's just trust Martinez in making this happen.

 

[kenada_blue]

If we can replace Jelavic with someone who will have the impact that he had when he first arrived things would look a lot better.

That's about it.

I hope Bobby has an ace up his sleeve.

Someone like a Jermaine Defoe-type nippy striker who just get behind and slots.

 

[evilwebby]

Just gotta keep going at this stage. i think the top 3 are pulling away.
between us/rs/mancs for 4th.