Squad strength?

[Gwladys St. Glory]

It's not a thread about that game just finished; it's about the clutch of games we just faced and how it's defined us a little bit.

In what way...personally, I think with every point like this we take we're slowly redefining ourselves. The only stuff I'm not happy about at the minute revolve around BK. He said flat out in Roberto's introduction conference that it was up to him to back him...if he doesn't, he should be getting it from all quarters.

 

[steken1]

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.

Why would you wait until then?

Why people expected our players to struggle with movement and ball retention is beyond me. Look at Howard. He was booting everything as long as he could for years, allowing the other sides players to get into position. I slated him for it, constantly. It's quite clear now that it was a tactic from the manager.

You can only imagine what other gems he was passing on.

Now we're in a really good position. One good winger and another goalscorer would give us everything we need to kick on and challenge for a full season. Why let that go because we're ahead of where some thought we should be??? There's no logic to that at all IMO.

The managers got us into a great position with the odds against him. Now it's time for the chairman to slant the odds in his favour a bit.

 

[Aberblue]

We desperately need an alternative to Lukaku. As was shown last season, he's best used relatively sparingly.

Let's remind ourselves that we are without Gibson, Deulofeu, Kone, Jagielka and Distin.

 

[Lien]

Anyone who thinks Southampton home and Stoke away are 2 of the easiest games we'll get clearly lacks a basic understanding of the Premier League.

 

[deipnosophist]

18 games to go...LONG way to go. Heads up lads

 

[davek]

Why would you wait until then?

Why people expected our players to struggle with movement and ball retention is beyond me. Look at Howard. He was booting everything as long as he could for years, allowing the other sides players to get into position. I slated him for it, constantly. It's quite clear now that it was a tactic from the manager.

You can only imagine what other gems he was passing on.

Now we're in a really good position. One good winger and another goalscorer would give us everything we need to kick on and challenge for a full season. Why let that go because we're ahead of where some thought we should be??? There's no logic to that at all IMO.

The managers got us into a great position with the odds against him. Now it's time for the chairman to slant the odds in his favour a bit.

Exactly mate. And Martinez is no Moyes looking to save his boss a few quid: if it's given him he'll spend it.

 

[evilwebby]

Plenty of reasons for optimism:

Baines is back
Jags, Distin, Deulefou will all be back before too long
Alcatraz is looking a perfectly capable CB
Stones had a solid full debut, he should definitely get more matchtime in H2.

We have no European fixtures to worry about
Jonny's wages are getting freed up

I trust Martinez to ensure we come out of January in better shape than we went in.

 

[steken1]

Exactly mate. And Martinez is no Moyes looking to save his boss a few quid: if it's given him he'll spend it.

Spending money brings expectation. Bobs not a tiny bit scared of that.

 

[dholliday]

Why would you wait until then?

1) better value in the summer, more choice too...also helps sales as well as buys.
2) a full pre-season for the newbies to bed in.
3) a brand new season with a proper and prepared Martinez squad.


If Martinez has 20m from Bill to spend in January, he may well have a look but if he doesn't find what he's looking for, he'll save it for the summer. The January window is notorious for:

1) providing bad value (as clubs look to panic-buy)
2) providing flops, as the player has no time to settle into a new system (Jelavic being an exception that proves the general rule)


I expect Bobby to subtly strengthen the squad, with slightly better players replacing Jela & Heitinga, and with one or two more numbers extra to the cause (maybe another loanee).

I'll be surprised if the manager does make a big signing (say 10m+). But I'll trust him it's the right decision if he does so.

If he doesn't, I'll trust that too. And I certainly won't be laying into Kenwright (like I know some of you will).


Saying that, I will lay into the chairman if we don't do some serious business in the summer. But he's earned a ceasefire until then.

 

[davek]

In what way...personally, I think with every point like this we take we're slowly redefining ourselves. The only stuff I'm not happy about at the minute revolve around BK. He said flat out in Roberto's introduction conference that it was up to him to back him...if he doesn't, he should be getting it from all quarters.

Fair question. I mean defined in terms of who we can throw into the team and expect to deputise for long periods if need be. Today we did ok with a makeshift CB pairing because Stoke weren't intent on pressing us that much. Against S'ton we just about got away with throwing our other GK in there.

 

[Bigmaclad]

Our squad is small and is feeling the strain a little.

If Martinez can get in a few quality players we can really push on.

 

[davek]

Plenty of reasons for optimism:

Baines is back
Jags, Distin, Deulefou will all be back before too long
Alcatraz is looking a perfectly capable CB
Stones had a solid full debut, he should definitely get more matchtime in H2.

We have no European fixtures to worry about
Jonny's wages are getting freed up

I trust Martinez to ensure we come out of January in better shape than we went in.

Spending money brings expectation. Bobs not a tiny bit scared of that.

Has to be a big window for us. I really hope we dont hang on to get the outgoings gone before we get players in.

Jelavic and Heitinga out and four incomings required if we're serious here.

 

[steken1]

1) better value in the summer, more choice too...also helps sales as well as buys.
2) a full pre-season for the newbies to bed in.
3) a brand new season with a proper and prepared Martinez squad.


If Martinez has 20m from Bill to spend in January, he may well have a look but if he doesn't find what he's looking for, he'll save it for the summer. The January window is notorious for:

1) providing bad value (as clubs look to panic-buy)
2) providing flops, as the player has no time to settle into a new system (Jelavic being an exception that proves the general rule)


I expect Bobby to subtly strengthen the squad, with slightly better players replacing Jela & Heitinga, and with one or two more numbers extra to the cause (maybe another loanee).

I'll be surprised if the manager does make a big signing (say 10m+). But I'll trust him it's the right decision if he does so.

If he doesn't, I'll trust that too. And I certainly won't be laying into Kenwright (like I know some of you will).


Saying that, I will lay into the chairman if we don't do some serious business in the summer. But he's earned a ceasefire until then.

His targets now won't change massively by the summer. He'll know which players are about and who he wants to improve us.

The only time clubs get ripped off is when they leave it last minute.

You can pick up good players with contracts running out very, very cheap if you play it right. The whole landscape could change by next season. The RS, Utd, Spurs and Southampton could all spend 40-80m each next season to get the CL. We need to strike while the irons hot.

Edit - The chairmans backed an Everton manager properly once in the time he's been here IMO. Why you'd give him that much slack is beyond me.

Has to be a big window for us. I really hope we dont hang on to get the outgoings gone before we get players in.

Jelavic and Heitinga out and four incomings required if we're serious here.

I'd be happy with two quality forward players who can change a game.

 

[Zatara]

Dave -- you can look at this 3 ways...

A -- We spend now and go all out for champions league. Comes off great, doesn't come off then we're likely going to be overpaying for players in this window and dare I say it could probably sign better in the summer when more are available.

B -- Use the position of strength to sign young players with massive potential in this window with more of a long term view of not only this season improving the squad with youth but with one eye on next season after they've bedded in.

C -- Cry about Kenwright not backing the manager...


The decision is B for me -- I'd use the position we're in now to sign a couple of McCarthy and Stones types who have been the best signings we've made for quite some time I believe.

 

[banno]

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 would be more than happy with 6th. We are still in transition and RM will be looking to add to the squad. Before the seasons start 8th would have been decent return for me. I firmly believe we have a very forward thinking and intelligent manager who will recognise what is needed and will do his utmost to make it happen rather than going with what we have got.

I think it will take a couple of seasons before RM is nearing what he wants at this club.