Is our squad deep enough to win the League?

cafcfan1990

Sorry if there is another thread for this, but was having a look at some posts from the last couple of weeks and someone mentioned our squad isn't good enough to last the season in 1st. I had a look and I think what it comes down to is that you have to be able to win games when you need to make 3 or 4 changes. That is when the squad is tested the most, can the back ups come in without the need to really change the way they play. Today we changed our back 4, and to keep a clean sheet is a positive side against a good Brentford side. It means Cort is a good 3rd choice CB. I think we all no Sullivan and Evina are pretty good so the defence looks up. We could probably do with a RB/CB coming in and we get rid of Doherty. The centre midfield has been a bit chop and change, Hollands has now had 4 partners, but again looked good today was pleased with Pritchard. With Stephens and Hughes, think that area is good as Jackson or Euell could also play there, and Alonso may make an appearance. I think we should keep Hogan, I think he is better than Wagstaff, and gives us 4 good wingers. I think a good little striker could be alright, and then the squad looks the best in the league IMHO. Been looking at the Sheffields and Hudds squads and they don't have a good 20 man squad like ours. Looking at the team and bench on Saturday would prove our depth. Unless we get really unlucky with injuries, ie - 2 centre backs or 2 of the main strikers, I feel we have the depth to stay at the top come May. COYR!!!

seriously_red

Yes! We are good enough

Let's see who we pick up and how we do in January

Rob

I'm sure CP knows exactly who we need. Not too much I wouldn't think but maybe a couple more. Squad to me seems more or less capable enough as it is. 

SE10

Ephraim better than Wagtstaff !??

SE7toSG3

Yes I think the squad is strong enough and that will be one of our greatest assets over the next few weeks, its not always been the case in recent years but we have definate options across the park plus a very good youth squad, I am very optimistic at the moment

thai malaysia addick

I think for the standard we are playing the squad is strong enough. It would be nice to have Messi on the bench, but those called into the side have rarely let the team down as far as I can see.

BigRedEvil

Is any other squad in the league better than ours?

Not too many by the looks of it at the moment, MK & Hudders keep dropping points, Wednesday and United look strong and we'll see if they will strengthen.

Lincsaddick

We have a very good squad. Like ALL squads it could do with strengthening to cover injuries, wear and tear and loss of form. Against this are a few factors. Team spirit: The present team/squad looks to have a VERY good spirit, they all play for one another and have a never say die attitude. Newcomers would have to fall in with this ethos right away. Secondly: the club is still in debt. A good squad was assembled during the summer at some cost. If only a little money is available it should not be wasted on players who are no better than those we already have. Better to wait for the summer after promotion and then sign more players of 'championship quality'. We should be emulating Norwich who went up two divisions in two years with squads which were then ruthlessly 'pruned' by Lambert and co.

Right now, as winter comes in we need cover in defence, right back and centre back especially. Nelson of Scunthorpe would be my choice. Clarke looks to be a big strong asset. Stephens will hopefully be fit soon so the midfield looks OK. To summarise, YES, the squad needs strengthening but there is no rush to do it. Wait for the right player at the right time.

 

 

 

Rizzo

My only real concern is the right back position. I'm not sure that we have anyone who could come in and do a proper job if something were to happen to Solly. Other than that, I think we have strength in depth in pretty much every position.

Lincsaddick

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Dizzle

Solly could probably perform with one leg tbf

se9addick

My only real concern is the right back position. I'm not sure that we have anyone who could come in and do a proper job if something were to happen to Solly. Other than that, I think we have strength in depth in pretty much every position.

Didn't Andy Hughes captain Leeds at right back ? I've got a feeling that he was brought in as a right back but has played most of his games in midfield due to the fantastic form of Solly.

Rizzo

Didn't Andy Hughes captain Leeds at right back ? I've got a feeling that he was brought in as a right back but has played most of his games in midfield due to the fantastic form of Solly.

He played for us at right back earlier in the season and was pretty dire. Love him in centre mid but not at right back.

harveys_gardener

I have been underwhelmed by Ephraim and think Harriott would be good cover.  With kids in mind I'd also like to see Osborne play a part at Fulham to see if he could step up to 4th choice CB.  Otherwise, perhaps give Azeez a cameo against Fulham or get Zak Ansah in, if rumours of Hayes departure are solid.

Dizzle

I have been underwhelmed by Ephraim and think Harriott would be good cover.  With kids in mind I'd also like to see Osborne play a part at Fulham to see if he could step up to 4th choice CB.  Otherwise, perhaps give Azeez a cameo against Fulham or get Zak Ansah in, if rumours of Hayes departure are solid.

Care to share the Hayes departure rumours?

Bexley Dan

Pacey striker and possibly a centre mid (unless Stephens is due back iminently) for me - not worried about RB cover - get a loan in if Solly gets injured. More concern about our A game having gone off the boil than our back up cover.

Stu_of_Kunming

Didn't Andy Hughes captain Leeds at right back ? I've got a feeling that he was brought in as a right back but has played most of his games in midfield due to the fantastic form of Solly.

He played for us at right back earlier in the season and was pretty dire. Love him in centre mid but not at right back.

One game at right back wasnt it? Hardly enough to judge him.

Scoham

I have been underwhelmed by Ephraim and think Harriott would be good cover.  With kids in mind I'd also like to see Osborne play a part at Fulham to see if he could step up to 4th choice CB.  Otherwise, perhaps give Azeez a cameo against Fulham or get Zak Ansah in, if rumours of Hayes departure are solid.

Osborne has only recently come back from a major injury, is only 17/18 and you'd like to throw him in against Fulham?

I want to see young players get a chance but it's got to be at the right time.

Is there anything to the Hayes "rumours" or just based on Bexley Dan suggesting he might have to make way?

Bexley Dan

Is that not enough?

harveys_gardener

I have been underwhelmed by Ephraim and think Harriott would be good cover.  With kids in mind I'd also like to see Osborne play a part at Fulham to see if he could step up to 4th choice CB.  Otherwise, perhaps give Azeez a cameo against Fulham or get Zak Ansah in, if rumours of Hayes departure are solid.

Care to share the Hayes departure rumours?

Into the Valley think he is returning to Scunthorpe, I'm sure he didn't envisage dropping from the Championship to 4th choice Div One, so it would make sense.

Rizzo

I have been underwhelmed by Ephraim and think Harriott would be good cover.  With kids in mind I'd also like to see Osborne play a part at Fulham to see if he could step up to 4th choice CB.  Otherwise, perhaps give Azeez a cameo against Fulham or get Zak Ansah in, if rumours of Hayes departure are solid.

Care to share the Hayes departure rumours?

Into the Valley think he is returning to Scunthorpe, I'm sure he didn't envisage dropping from the Championship to 4th choice Div One, so it would make sense.

I can understand him being pissed off at being on the bench most of the time, and even more so when Clarke went onto the becnh ahead of him but I think it's a bit early to be saying that he's 4th choice. I'm sure the coaching staff wanted to take a look at the new boy in a game but there's no way he could have done enough in training already to have got ahead of Hayes on a permanent basis.

Also, the club needs to have cover and I think it would be a mistake to let anyone go that we don't want to leave. Doherty can, of course, do one.

Bexley Dan

It's just a theory based on the fact that all our strikers other than BWP are pretty much target men and he's dropped down the order and off the bench for a loan signing.

Deadred

 

It's just a theory based on the fact that all our strikers other than BWP are pretty much target men and he's dropped down the order and off the bench for a loan signing.

Who's the loan signing then if you mean Clarke I thought he was permanent for 18 months?

Floyd Montana

I would like another keeper of the old onion bag.

And a central defender.

Other than that, CP's sensational buying spree last summer will suffice for now.

LargeAddick

I have been underwhelmed by Ephraim and think Harriott would be good cover.  With kids in mind I'd also like to see Osborne play a part at Fulham to see if he could step up to 4th choice CB.  Otherwise, perhaps give Azeez a cameo against Fulham or get Zak Ansah in, if rumours of Hayes departure are solid.

Fulham away is NOT the place to throw a few kids in. Although I'd like to win there and won't be too bothered if we lose I doubt 7,000 fans are travelling there to see us put out a reserve team.

Stu_of_Kunming

I have been underwhelmed by Ephraim and think Harriott would be good cover.  With kids in mind I'd also like to see Osborne play a part at Fulham to see if he could step up to 4th choice CB.  Otherwise, perhaps give Azeez a cameo against Fulham or get Zak Ansah in, if rumours of Hayes departure are solid.

Care to share the Hayes departure rumours?

Into the Valley think he is returning to Scunthorpe, I'm sure he didn't envisage dropping from the Championship to 4th choice Div One, so it would make sense.

100% going nowhere then ;-)

Deadred

Agreed Large especially the the way Fulham have been doing of late and although we don't know what side they will put out, a raw inexperienced youngster thrown in at the deepend could have a damaging effect on him.

Covered End

I have been underwhelmed by Ephraim and think Harriott would be good cover.  With kids in mind I'd also like to see Osborne play a part at Fulham to see if he could step up to 4th choice CB.  Otherwise, perhaps give Azeez a cameo against Fulham or get Zak Ansah in, if rumours of Hayes departure are solid.

Clueless. Just because you watch the youth team play, it doesn't mean they should be playing against Premiership opposition.

We'd be very popular with our 7,000 fans, if we put out a team with a few youth team players in it.

harveys_gardener

I have been underwhelmed by Ephraim and think Harriott would be good cover.  With kids in mind I'd also like to see Osborne play a part at Fulham to see if he could step up to 4th choice CB.  Otherwise, perhaps give Azeez a cameo against Fulham or get Zak Ansah in, if rumours of Hayes departure are solid.

Clueless. Just because you watch the youth team play, it doesn't mean they should be playing against Premiership opposition.

We'd be very popular with our 7,000 fans, if we put out a team with a few youth team players in it.

Playing a part or cameo doesn't mean playing 90 minutes.  Many sides blood youngsters against top sides to give them a "big day" and 17/18yo players are not rarities up and down the divisions.  If we want some strength in depth we can only reallly do it with kids when only 4 outfield players are on the bench.  Otherwise you get senior pro's who don't get a look in, or even many reserve games to shake the cobwebs out.  How many will sit in the stands and bank the money happily?

Addickted4life

We have someone good enough to cover ever position. (May need another right back) But other than that we're fine.

Our squad (assuming loans have gone back)

Goal keepers: Hamer, Sullivan 

Right backs: Solly, Hughes?

Center backs: Taylor , Morrison , Cort, Docherty(if things get really bad)

left backs: Wiggins, Evina

Right Midfield: Green, Wagstaff, Pritchard?  

Center midfield: Stephens, Hollands, Hughes , Pritchard, Jackson, Alonso (if he's real) 

left midfield: Jackson, Bover, Evina

Strikers: BWP, Kermorgant, Hayes, Clarke, Euell,

So yes our squad is deep enough to win the league.   

PeakieRocket

I think our squad is strong enough, but the lack of a reserve team means those on the fringes are not always match fit when called upon. I know we're playing some reserve friendlies, but thats not the same as a competitive match. How many mins on the pitch has someone like Evina had recently? If Wiggins gets injured, is he ready to step in and play?