A lot of us believe that our squad is too small to compete especially if we get European Football next season. You look at teams like Spurs and City (not mentioning chelsea/arsenal and utd because its just different) and how they could field a still strong weakened team. It got me thinking and having a look at how strong our 2nd team would be and in my opinion its would be more than capable of competing at the highest level. Team 1 Harper Simpson Colo Williamson Enrique Barton Tiote Nolan Jonas Best Shola Team 2 Forster/Krul R Taylor S Taylor Kadar Ferguson Ben Arfa Ireland Gosling Lua Lua Ranger Lovenkrands The future is bright even if we don't make a few signings this summer.
It's mad to think Ben Arfa, Ireland and Gosling would only make our second team. As it is though, Ireland is only on loan.
I think the level of the second team is as good if not better than the team that got us relegated.. and that's happened in a year and a half...
Lovenkrands should NOT be dropped for Shola. Shola has scored 2 in the derby day in which he normally scores, and flukey tap in vs Wigan. Lovenkrands has been a big part of our attacking play whilst he's been starting. Good pace, good vision and good passing. Shola is a decent target man, but that's it. He's ****e. My first team before we sign anyone else - ----------Harper---------- -Simmo-Saylor---Colo--Jose -Barton-Nolan--Tiote--Ben Arfa -------Best----Lover------ Second team - ----------Krul------------ Raylor--Willo--Sol/kadar--Perch Lua Lua-Gosling-Ireland-Jonas ------Ranger---Shola-----
I'm with you on the teams mate! Though i hope Ranger gets started more now, and he can push for Lovers place.
I think Kadar is a quality prospect personally. Stick him LB in place of Perch (though Kadar does play a lot better at CB).
Yeah but Raylor and 1 of Sol/Perch worries me, half our defence would be awful, quarter would be unproven.
Pardew sees Ferguson as a LB by the way, said so today and that he needs to put on some weight to be able to compete in this position.
We've already beaten a strong Chelsea XI this season in the CC, but still think that we need a little more depth in the striker department. Ranger not cutting the mustard yet and Lover and Ameobi are getting on.
Would have Shola in the team over Lovenkrands any day of the week, Lovenkrands has done OK, but often goes missing after the first 10 minutes of most games, Shola is a constant handful for defences and gives us that little bit extra in the air.
