State of the squad

[Bruce Wayne]

I was thinking today about the depth in our squad at the moment. If we assume a first team of something like:

Howard
Neville
Yobo
Lescott
Baines
Castillo
Pienaar
Arteta
Cahill
Yak
Saha

then we could field the following 2nd eleven:

Nash
Hibbert
Jags
Rodwell
Valente
Fellaini
Osman
VDM
Baxter
Vaughan
Anichebe

with the likes of Lukas, Gosling and Kissock all with senior level experience too.

What do you think of the depth in that squad?

 

[micknick]

Its not bad Bruce but what you have to take into the equation is the age of the reserves and the physical state of some as well.

 

[Goat]

Is that a Tony Hibbert looks like a shoe reference?

 

[linglong]

Please you cant count VDM..for the love of god

 

[The Dude]

Please you cant count VDM..for the love of god

That's what i thought

 

[Neiler]

It is a nice blend of youth and expierence in the squad. I do think we missed a few opurtunities in the summer to add to its overall quality but it is the reality at the club presently, in some ways i am pleased that with what we had we spent it wisely on a few quality players rather then buy 6-7 Davies type players.

I think we need another Centre half as i am a little concerned at times that our three centre halfs are in the team. Also the lack of compititon at the back may be a factor in the early season lapses in normally good displays our goal against ratio currently is abysmyl.

I also think we could do with one or two wide men as i have said im a fan of Kightly and Barnes and Wolves and Dearby. Just to add depth and options to the squad, lets face it when either Pienaar or Arteta are out there is a gaping hole in our team and play.

I am not a huge Tim Howard fan, i dont think hes a really bad goalkeeper but i see a lot of faults in his all around game and have for a few seasons, im not confident with him in goal and feel we could do better.

This isnt criticism as i think he has doen exceotionaly well but i expect more to come from Castillo, he has showed much early promise but he has a long way to go to fill Carsleys boots and in many ways our performence this season may rest on his shoulders, as i say this is not cirticism but i think there is more development there.

Theres a group in the squad where there is still more to come in terms of development and quality. Rodwell, Vaughan, Baxter, Gosling, Vic and Fellini. I include Fellini because despite his price tag im not expecting big things from him right away, its unfair i know after one performence for us but i would treat him presently in this group being only 20 and coming to a new leauge and country.

Saha excites me, as does the prospect of having a fit Tim Cahill, Arteta, Osman for the majority of the season.

 

[Blue Wiz]

As I wrote in an earlier thread.. our first 11 is topclass.

Howard
Baines
Yobo
Lescott
Neville
Pienaar
Castillo
Fellaini
Cahill
Arteta
Yakubu

Choose subs from: Saha, Osman, Jags, Nash, Hibbert, Anichebe, Baxter, Vaughan, Jacobsen, Valente, Rodwell

Still say our midfield is too weak to field two good teams. But a look at the above squad is interesting when we have all fit and available to play.

 

[linglong]

The big problem is this will it still be strong enough when the injuries and suspensions start?

 

[Gazdalf]

The big problem is this will it still be strong enough when the injuries and suspensions start?

You mean, what will it be like when the injuries finish.


We will never have a fully fit squad. This is Everton. Easy life does not suit us, and I wouldn't change it for the world.


Toffeemen never get bored. We never get the chance. hahahahaha

 

[kenada_blue]

You mean, what will it be like when the injuries finish.


We will never have a fully fit squad. This is Everton. Easy life does not suit us, and I wouldn't change it for the world.


Toffeemen never get bored. We never get the chance. hahahahaha

True that. There's only been 6 games we've played this season and each one has been so chock full of drama and incident I'm already going grey. The derby will be a damp squid I'm telling ya. Either that or it'll be intensity turned up to 11.

Either way Ill be watching it in me colours hoping not to get me head booted in by plastic red [Poor language removed] fans cos I'm scouse -- they're like that up where I'm living.

 

[linglong]

You mean, what will it be like when the injuries finish.


We will never have a fully fit squad. This is Everton. Easy life does not suit us, and I wouldn't change it for the world.


Toffeemen never get bored. We never get the chance. hahahahaha

Hehe very true words these