How many?

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Mikey said:
You always need depth,
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I agree but it's more important to have versatility than a host of players, many of whom won't end up playing. E.g. Great squad depth would be to have, say, Leighton Baines and Ashley Cole. However if one of them is going to play only 10-15% of games at best (as is the case with Clyne, him not being injury prone at all), what's the point? It's more effective to have versatile players that can fill in and be solid in those positions. If you look at a squad like United's (Ferguson being one of the greatest squad builders of all time) a lot of their backup players fill multiple roles rather than just one.

If we sign any fullback it needs to be one for the future, prepared to not play much this season and be available to step in when called upon, and as we already have a few of those, do we really need more?
 
James G said:
Firstly it's an extremely unlikely scenario to see all four of our first choice backline out! However this is what we have so far:

Clyne - Forren - Lovren - Shaw (Probable first choice, Forren will play this season, order he is preferred will be determined)
Cork/Chambers - Yoshida - Fonte/Jos - Fox/Targett (Back up geek squad)

With the exception of left back (only due to a minor question mark over Targett) that looks pretty good. While RB may not be Cork's best role and it reduces the attack on that side, we can have faith he won't do anything stupid and his positional sense is fine. In fact the two centre backs are the exact same ones who were so solid at the tail end of last season! Plus we can also use Lovren at right back, although not his best position he's played important internationals at right back and, again, as Cork, he'd be solid if unspectacular I'm sure.
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I think there is a major question mark over Targett given he has never played for us. And I think Cork's positioning at right back is pretty rubbish. But cork is a very good player and Targett has big raps on him. For some reason Pochettino seemed to quite like Fox and I would expect fox to play ahead of targett at least initially. But Fox is terrbile and would leave the door open for targett if he has the quality.

Shaw and Clyne would learn a lot from a highly experienced fullback like Gamez and we would have the added bonus of having another quality footballer.
 
James G said:
I agree but it's more important to have versatility than a host of players, many of whom won't end up playing. E.g. Great squad depth would be to have, say, Leighton Baines and Ashley Cole. However if one of them is going to play only 10-15% of games at best (as is the case with Clyne, him not being injury prone at all), what's the point? It's more effective to have versatile players that can fill in and be solid in those positions. If you look at a squad like United's (Ferguson being one of the greatest squad builders of all time) a lot of their backup players fill multiple roles rather than just one.

If we sign any fullback it needs to be one for the future, prepared to not play much this season and be available to step in when called upon, and as we already have a few of those, do we really need more?
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Indeed, I agree entirely. Although please stop calling referring to Clyne as not injury prone as it worries me immensely. :emoticon-0107-sweat
 
We aim high with our attempted signings, which means that it is harder for us to be successful. We may have a better chance being in our second year and with Pochettino as coach (latter comment not fair on Nige, but is probably the truth). I would be surprised if we get more than 3 quality signings out of those we are being linked with, although sometimes you can get a snowball effect with one good signing making the next easier.

Interesting point made by Phil Neville: Youngsters aren't getting enough games to become match hardened. We intend to bring youngsters through, but I wonder if our success and desire to progress may actually act against that intention. Nicola has to get players in for us to do well in the PL....he may temporarily have to suspend the other side of his plan apart from exceptional talents like Shaw (who is physically ahead of many of his contemporaries).
 
fran-MLs little camera said:
Nicola has to get players in for us to do well in the PL....he may temporarily have to suspend the other side of his plan apart from exceptional talents like Shaw (who is physically ahead of many of his contemporaries).
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It's tough, we need to avoid the English disease of only giving a chance to those that are physically ahead of other in their age group. We have to be prepared to wait on those like Bale (notoriously underdeveloped until he hit 16/17) who may be lagging behind physically but have superior technical skill. I'd hate for us to be one of those clubs.
 
James G said:
It's tough, we need to avoid the English disease of only giving a chance to those that are physically ahead of other in their age group. We have to be prepared to wait on those like Bale (notoriously underdeveloped until he hit 16/17) who may be lagging behind physically but have superior technical skill. I'd hate for us to be one of those clubs.
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I agree, but I think, at least for the moment, it will be harder for youngsters to come through and be given some experience. May happen if we have a good season and some chances can be taken. Mauricio and Nicola both believe in it which is the good thing, though Mauricio was rather forced to at Espanyol when his best players were sold.
 
James G said:
It's tough, we need to avoid the English disease of only giving a chance to those that are physically ahead of other in their age group. We have to be prepared to wait on those like Bale (notoriously underdeveloped until he hit 16/17) who may be lagging behind physically but have superior technical skill. I'd hate for us to be one of those clubs.
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Oi, I have copyright on that phrase :shocked:
 
James G said:
Morgan can partner Wanyama to form some kind of midfield Legion of Doom. Nothing would get past them. What a rush!
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Only if they paint their faces. I wonder if there's anything in the laws to prohibit spiked shoulder pads?
 
Youngsters have to learn sometime, If Pochettino thinks Chambers is ready we won't see another back up rb. I'm hoping he is ready as I would like our academy players to be given a chance.
 
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