Squad strength?

[davek]

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.

We have good players to come back...hopefully sooner rather than later. But you see the current top four plus United and you have to say that if we stick with the personnel we have now and not get three very good players in who can defo push for a first team start we are going to fall away.

Dont get me wrong like: 6th would be a storming effort given it's Martinez's first season dragging us away from the Moyes period. But this is the '**** or get off the pot' moment when teams serious about making a charge do so...or strengthen in order to do so.

 

[steken1]

I agree we need to back the manager with 15m+ now to allow him to gain some momentum and see where it takes us.

 

[Toffe3m4n]

We'll start seeing now the likes of City and Chelsea pulling away - all about the squad depth. Arsenal too, to a degree.

Also expecting Utd to improve from now, and I reckon they'll beat Spurs tonight.

 

[davek]

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.

Maybe, but he IS there and that's the result of squad strengthening in a former period.

On Gibson: he wont be back for this season. So CM and strike force are a problem (out and out forward + winger).

 

[Brennan]

Laughing at Stoke away being declared one of the 'easiest fixtures we'll get'. They've lost one game at home all season.

 

[nigelcoyb]

Just saw the result, Stoke must have been licking their lips with all the defensive changes yet still we come back.

I always maintained outside the CL positions there is nothing - whether it be 5th or 10th it's essentially mid table guff but I accept that given our circumstances.

What I couldn't stand was the lack of football the collapses and the choking, those hopeless days mean I will not moan because today is another of those times you just know we would have rolled over with a thousand excuses.

What bobby is doing should not obscure where we come from no one should get cocky demanding 4th or the title if it happens fookin great if it doesn't just remember the shte we have had to put up with and realise how fookin ace we now are

 

[davek]

We'll start seeing now the likes of City and Chelsea pulling away - all about the squad depth. Arsenal too, to a degree.

Yes, but when they get snarled up with fixtures a team below can make hay. I think we have the manager who could do better than Liverpool's in nicking a fourth spot.

Moment of truth time again. We've had it before and neglected to take our opportunity.

 

[dholliday]

I agree we need to back the manager with 15m+ now to allow him to gain some momentum and see where it takes us.

Ideally, the chairman will back his manager with a boatload of funds to back up his "Champions League" comments in pre-season.

I'm just not sure Martinez is even willing to spend it all in this window. I think he'd like to use the summer window to use the main bulk of funds.

In this transitional season we in all honesty were saying Europa League was a bonus, but top 8 would be satisfactory. Our squad strength improved after Bobby's first window, and it will likely improve again after the January window.


But the big one I feel is the summer window. That's where (we hope) we'll see the real statement of intent.

 

[johnnydawg68]

Laughing at Stoke away being declared one of the 'easiest fixtures we'll get'. They've lost one game at home all season.

Yeah that's mental.

 

[davek]

Laughing at Stoke away being declared one of the 'easiest fixtures we'll get'. They've lost one game at home all season.

*sigh*

 

[potato]

beating an team away from home aint easy

look at crystal palace.

 

[harry]

We are streeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetched though. 4 from 9 against that opposition tells a story...although there's a detail that contradicts the main point I'm making.

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

I agree with this, the board really need to back the managers ambition.

 

[davek]

beating an team away from home aint easy

look at crystal palace.

I was happy with the point today given the circumstances. But let's face it: we earned the right to see Stoke away as a game we could easily see winning given the way we dispatched United and bossed Arsenal. If we'd had the players for those games we'd have won today. Simple.

 

[peteblue]

A point away at Stoke is a decent result for any team........Ask Chelsea.....

 

[davek]

Again...just in case anyone leaping to later pages think it's a grumble thread: it isn't. We've been superb first half of this season and manager and squad need congratulating.

It's just a discussion about if we have the tools to finish this job off or not.