The squad is not weaker!


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We are no where near ready or stronger than last year. I do agree that it's different though.We can see the philosophy starting to show especially in Evans, Embo and Onien. However, we don't even have a 1st eleven yet. We need 2 full backs, 1 CH, 1CF before we even begin to think about depth. We are in trouble when we pick up the inevitable injuries. While it was enjoyable watching that 1st half midfield three last night, once Evans, Embo and Onien went off, Winchester Niel and O'brien simple didn't do anywhere near the same job. Without signing full backs the two last night, while decent will begin to get targeted and I fear found wanting.
 
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The squad is weaker. The first 11 isnt. We’re stronger in the centre of the park and I think Stewart will offer us more upfront.
 
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People have complained for a while that youth wasn’t been given a chance, we now look to be putting some in and the same people will complain about it.

personally I think we aren’t in an awful position but I’d be happier if we brought in a fullback on either side.
Can you quote the posts where people are complaining youths are being given a chance. I think I’ve missed those
 
Tin hat on but. . . .

We look a much better side already this season. The plan was always going to be look for better players who need a fresh start, e.g. Prichard, Evans. I know we haven’t seen Prichard but Evans looked brilliant last night. My man of the match in the 1st half.

However, more importantly, we were always going to promote heavily from the U23’s and look for quality loans/ buys from premier league u23 sides.

These types of players will always come later in the window after they’ve been assessed by their current clubs. This will also always be done later in a summer with a big competition like the euros.

we already look like we are a much quicker and better passing side who can control the middle of the park.

I think the predictions of 10th to 5th are way off the mark even if we start the season with the players we have and we are only a couple of good fullbacks away from being a really class (at this level) side.
The squad is weaker like.
Which 10 teams will finish above us?
On the flip side we're certainly not strong enough to be top 2 all season.

But I'd say we're in a group that might push for Playoffs
 
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Christ we get a last minute winner against a Hull side who lost at hone to Mansfield and suddenly everything in the garden is rosy for some . We are still miles away and although I’ve been impressed with the youngsters who’ve come through , we are a few injuries away from being threadbare .
We need four starters and a couple of squad fillers or it’s going to be a mid table battle .
 
Neil and Embleton have some ability and the latter in particular must now show he can deliver in what is a very ordinary standard of football. Diamond isn’t a ‘very talented’ young player IMO. He’s a willing runner. I’ve not seen Etc yet so won’t pass judgement on him.

So you dont think he proved he could do it by starring in the play off semi final and being promoted last year then?
 
Talk about replacing goals, while it's not going to be easy to replace Wyke you'd fancy Stewart to put a few away if he gets the same service. Wyke had a goal every 143 mins last season, Stewart every 156.

Leadbitter was next top scorer with 7, 4 of which were pens. Someone still has to put them away but Gooch, McGeady, probably others have decent penalty records.

From there you're getting to players like Power, Maguire, Jones with four or five goals. Really you'd have hoped they'd have put more away anyway. Not unreasonable to expect any midfielders coming in to get that over a season. Maybe without Wyke the goals will be spread around a bit more.

I'm no fan of Burge so it's good to see Patterson is set to get a chance. Other than that, as others have said it's full backs and some depth up front and at CB we need. Really hope we get it sorted and don't go into the season with midfielders as full backs again.
 
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So you dont think he proved he could do it by starring in the play off semi final and being promoted last year then?

He needs to prove that he can do it at Sunderland. He did well at Blackpool and I would have preferred us to have given him playing time last season rather than loan him out. I’ve said he has ability, not sure why it’s controversial to say he needs to prove himself here given that he hasn’t yet.
 
He needs to prove that he can do it at Sunderland. He did well at Blackpool and I would have preferred us to have given him playing time last season rather than loan him out. I’ve said he has ability, not sure why it’s controversial to say he needs to prove himself here given that he hasn’t yet.

Why does he need to prove he can do it at sunderland. Hes proven he can do it. Were you saying that about every new signing? Darren bents scored goals but hes going to have to prove he can score at sunderland? Of course not. Ridiculous way of thinking. If wed signed him from blackpool youd be over the moon
 
Season lasts 46games, not sure this current squad will have enough when we hit that inenevitable bad patch.

Still need another 4 or 5 additions, and 2 or 3 of them should be first choice quality.
 
Signings will get here before the window slams shut for sure.

But at the minute we have no depth to the squad. Last season surely must be a lesson in the importance of squad depth.
To be fair, we had 5 centre halves, 6 if you include Feeney and every one of them got injured. That is unprecedented ....
Season lasts 46games, not sure this current squad will have enough when we hit that inenevitable bad patch.

Still need another 4 or 5 additions, and 2 or 3 of them should be first choice quality.
Wouldn't disagree with that
 
:lol:

Last season we had Wyke and Stewart and now we have Stewart and Grigg. Weaker

Last season we had McFad, Hume, Mcglaughlin as full backs and now we have none. Weaker.

Doyle hasn’t played a single first team game anywhere and Sanderson was probably our best player defensively. Weaker.

You’ve used some absolutely mental arguments there buddy
I'm going to put my neck on the block here and say that Grigg will have a better season than Wyke.

Winchester often played right back for Oldham and looked comfortable in the role last night. We need another in, obviously, but he's a more than capable right back and no worse there what we had last season.

We're a bit thin on numbers but the first choice 15 or so look better than last season.

Embleton is better than Scowen and O'Nien is better in midfield than Power.
 
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