Our best squad since the Robson days?

That might be a bit premature, but I think it could prove to be true. Using the old, two 11's method, this is what I've come up with.

Team 1 (What I take to be our strongest 11)

------------------Krul

Debuchy-Coloccini-Yanga-Mbiwa-Santon

---------------Tiote-Sissoko

-----------------Cabaye

----------Ben Arfa-Cisse-Marveaux

Team 2

------------------Elliot

------Raylor-Saylor-Perch-Haidara

-----Bigirimana----Anita---Gutierrez

------Gouffran---Shola---Obertan

And that still leaves us with: Williamson, Ferguson, Vuckic, Sammy, Abeid, Campbell, Amalfitano, Gosling, Tavernier and Dummett who all have first team experience under their belt.

We have a really promising FULL squad now, that first team rivals all outside the top 3, the second team is pretty solid, and there's some quality in the left over players as well.

Of course, injuries and the like always play their part but if we ever see this full squad, we have real potential!

...Or maybe this is just a bit of euphoria, and we're going down

 

At risk of sounding like a damp squib i can't help but see:

Cisse (struggling for form all season)
Shola (what needs to be said)
Gouffran (hopeful buy rather than expectant one)

and I start wondering if this striking issue will be addressed. The squad is stronger but you're only as strong as your weakest link, where are all our goals coming from?

 

Agree that's when we need a proven goal scorer its a must

 

The players need to gel and make a good team, it's not about individuals.

Looking at the players we had out against Reading, we should have won that game comfortably.

 

Crikey, 2 teams and not a Willo in sight...

We could even squeeze a third team out of the remaining:

--------------Harper---------------
Gosling---Tavs---Streete---Dummett
Sammy----Abeid---Amouthful--Fergie
--------------Vuckic---------------
--------------Campbell-------------

Admittedly that team would struggle even in L1, but it wasn't so long ago that was te best sort of team we could hope for, even in cup games

And still no Willo...

 

Its not far off

 

Willo not even in the top 6 for CB! I like your style!

 

I can see Willo being sold

 

Maybe we could sell to Villa before Tuesday?

 

Obviously delighted with this weeks signings but I'm still wondering where our goals are coming from. Hopefully Cisse's form will return now.

Does anyone know which of the new signings will be eligible for Europe?

 

Interesting as I saw that we can't play both Debuchy and Mbiwa in Europa at the same time, due to them having played already for other teams. Not sure about the others.

 

From NUFC.com

Like Mathieu Debuchy, Yanga-Mbiwa is available for Europa League ties. However, if our reading of the UEFA rules is correct, only one of them can play, not both:

18.18 For all matches from the start of the round of 32, a club may register a maximum of three new eligible players for the remaining matches in the current competition. Such registration must be completed by 1 February 2013.

18.19 One player from the above quota of three who has been fielded in a UEFA club competition group stage match for another club in the current season may exceptionally be registered, provided that the player has not been fielded: a) in the same competition for another club; or b) for another club that is currently in the same competition.

Both players appeared in the Champions League Group Stage ties this season for their former clubs, but neither side dropped into the Europa League.

Gouffran can't be registered as he played (against us) for Bordeaux - I guess this might be another reason for an additional striker coming in?

Haidara and Sissoko both ok as neither played in Europe this season.

 

we'll swap you for cuellar?

 

He can't be as bad as Willo surely?

 

Snow's pretty bad down here on the lower ground ACS, it must be pretty bad up your way is it?

 

We're being hopeful if we even think this is near Robson days.

Who can match

Robert Dyer Jenas/Speed Solano

Shearer Bellamy

That's the ultimate best lineup we've had in years at their peak.

Our team 1 does have that type of potential ,but they need to translate that into results on the pitch like the Robson days did, 3rd 4th 5th ... Also, our team 2 isn't good as well but that's understandable. Jonas is ****e so is Shola, Obertan and Gouffran could well be 2 headless chickens for us

 

Speed was far better then Jenas, no comp at all

 

I think you might be getting a bit carried away. Add another top class striker and maybe our squad matches up to everyone bar maybe the top 5 or 6. There are some strong squads about don't forget. Liverpool are getting stronger, Spurs have good depth and Arsenal too. The top 3 are obviously well ahead. I think I'd put us probably 7th or 8th as Everton are looking stronger all the time depth wise.

Just my opinion of course.

Marveaux may not make my strongest 11 either. Just a bit inconsistent, even during the course of a game, nevermind game to game. Also he has been pretty poor wide and I basically see him as back up to Cabaye centrally now.

 

Team one looks like a very decent outfit....

To be fair can you say the same for team 2? - not for me, nothing exciting in team 2 whatsoever.