At the beginning of the 2010/11 campaign, we all thought that we had the best squad we had all seen in a lifetime watching the lads and to be fair, it certainly looked that way at the beginning of August. However, by the end of the season, it was patently obvious that our squad, whilst good on paper, struggled through a series of horrendous injuries, a key player leaving and a general loss of form. It is therefore gratifying to see the club redress these areas of concern for the coming season and SB has changed tact a little by growing the value of the squad to meet the rigorous and demanding EPL calendar. Gone is the drive for a tight but small squad and in comes the larger and more competitive squad that will keep players guessing week to week. No-one is really guaranteed a place in this new look squad whereas last year, if everyone was fit, the team almost picked itself. Keepers: 1 from Mignolet, Gordon and Westwood Defenders: 4 from Brown, O Shea, Bramble, Turner, Bardo, Ferdinand, Muhammady or Richardson. Midfielders: 4 from Larsson, Gardener, Vaughan, Catts, Collback, Meyler, Steed, Sessegnon Strikers: 2 from: Gyan, Wickham, Noble (R), Won (strangely enough, I fell this is still the weakest part of our squad, despite spending over £10m so far on it) With at least 2 more still to come (N'Zogbia and a Striker IMO) this will provide some healthy and competitive fighting for places and stop the rot which has befallen the club for the past 2 years. There can be no hiding places for players who dont perform now. Our squad look to have a lot more depth and ability to cope with extreme situations that it did last year and if we can get Campbell fit and going as well from January, our options will be both many and varied. I am not going to allow myself to get carried away just yet, as I genuinely thought we would turn the corner last season only to be let down but this is a deeper squad and as good an experienced and competitive bunch of players for some time. Its been a good summer already. Could it get even better very soon? Who knows?
I know we are sick to death of the N'Zog saga but its gone quiet on Villa and if Wigan want to compete in the transfer market they need to sell him Quick. After all we have snapped up all the player Wigan could afford Larrson (Free) Westwood (Free) Vaughan (Free)
I still think there is at least one big signing to come, and to be honest I would be over the moon if it was even Welbeck on loan. Question - Does anyone know if Catts is due to be fit for the start of the season? If not I can see him struggling to get back in that side, especially with Colbacks form at the end of last season. Incidentally, O'Shea for captain all day long for me.
Compared to last season, it's as weak as a Bin-Laden fart. All that will change once hopefully Defoe comes..
Certainly it is our weak point right now today but with 2 new players - say it was Defoe and Welbeck (loan) - it would be transformed very quickly into a very handy one IMO. Gyan, Defoe, Welbeck, Wickham, Noble (R) and Won. Lots of options and styles?
It's a great thread.... Will be the strongest squad I have ever seen at SAFC in my years of supporting them. It also looks like it will have more fighting spirit in it than the one last year. Hopefully we wont be bullied like we were in certain games (that I wont mention!!) last year. If they can get another striker in also will be the icing on the cake.
