Improved Squad

simple, we won't be 4 -0 down this season



also, it seems it's turned into a guthrie debate; i reckon he's good when he gets a run of games in the middle, good range of passing and a good shot on him (although the last time he had a run of games in the middle was the CC, so that might not hold up to scrutiny in the prem)

 

Yes Yes Yes

 

pardew? really? as i already said, nolan and barton were immense in dragging us back to 4-4.

nolan the player is replaceable, easily, that's not what i'm arguing. nolan the captain was invaluable, that's my point. it takes more than having 11 slightly more skillful players to improve a team.

 

We do have a lot of good quality options in midfield now, BUT... we're in DESPERATE need of a new striker and perhaps even strengthening at the back.

 

I'll give you Barton but what did Nolan actually do in the 4-4 except attack Szczesny and miss that lay off from Ranger?

 

A leader leaves, a new one will emerge. Nolan was admittedly massive in the dressing room (in more ways than one), but we have enough good spirits in there to replace him.

 

are you on a wind up here smudge?

and sorry danny, but can't give you the good spirits after our shambles of a pre season. we need a leader to emerge, definitely.






(dare say sameobi)

 

100% serious.

 

Was our squad vs Man Utd/Villa -

--------------Harper----------------

Perch----Willo-----Colo---------Enrique

Routledge--Barton--Smith-----Gutierrez

---------------Nolan-------------------

--------------Carroll-------------------

???

I think we're missing a striker like Carroll, but apart from that we've strengthened everywhere, not just by getting new players in but because players like Colo, Enrique and Barton have all stepped up and improved, and we've also got a bit stronger in defense.

Taylor is much better than Willo. Simmo, even though some people dislike him, is better than Perch.

I think if we had a better and stronger RB we'd have a solid defense with no weak spots really. The only bad thing is that we sometimes pass it a bit too much at the back with the likes of Tiote and Enrique, but apart from that, it's all good.

 

This. It was Barton that scored two penalties. Barton who took the set-pieces that led to the two penalties. Barton who took the set-piece that led to Tiote's goal. Barton that produced the tackle on Diaby which started the whole comeback. Barton who rallied the players at 4-3, screaming at them
in the centre-circle. Barton who is STILL HERE.

Nolan did very little other than have a horrendous first half.

 

To be honest if you look at Nolans goals -

2 were vs Villa, 3 vs the mackems, even though that was awesome, and i love him for it, that's 5 of his 12 goals in 2 games.

He played a part in our season, but with 12 goals and only 1 assist, he didn't create much, and his goals record looks a little bit more impressive than it really was. If he had scored 12 goals in a larger amount of games then fine, but nah.

I don't see any of our mids getting that amount of goals, but i think they'll create more and get more assists, and if we add one more striker of decent quality, we'll score more overall also.

Good times

 

I entirely agree with you on this. Why do people assume that because we have some new players they're going to bend over and take it? We'll need to wait and see but I'm certainly not on a downer having replaced Nolan with a far better player who also has captaining experience, signed a striker who managed a stunning goal-game ratio considering the poor quality of the team he was playing in, several more new top quality signings and some very promising youngsters emerging. Are people also forgetting that we will have Ben Arfa back soon too?

Team spirit doesnt only eminate from boisterous scousers, I see no reason why our new team would fail to play for eachother.

 

He got behind the players. He pushed them. C'mon! Do you honestly think that we'd have got anywhere close to coming back without him? Players pick up on vibes. After the first goal went in, two players showed (through their actions of grabbing the ball of Szczesny) that they thought we had a chance: Barton and... Nolan. The other players see it and (maybe even subconsciously) think they might get something from it. Especially as it's from two respected players.
Lots of people need others to encourage or motivate them for them to fulfil their potential. Currently we have Barton and Taylor to do that. You've also got the likes of Coloccini that help, but we are desperately short of leaders.

 

4 of Ba's were against Wigan and West Brom.

 

I'm not denying that Nolan was a great lad in the dressing room but morale was good because the whole squad is great lads, not just Kevin Nolan doing all the work.

He was a good leader on the pitch but so is Cabaye and he is far better technically than Nolan, so overall it's still a step up.

 

Would you rather have 11 Nicky Butt's or 11 Ben Arfa's?

Nicky Butts would give you 11 leaders, Ben Arfa's will give you quality, we were in dire need of this last season.

 

This, to a certain extent. Nolan had this "undroppable" tag and it was stupid because we were almost forced to play him when there were better options. Wouldnt have been the same inspirational captain from the bench.

 

I think the point we are trying to make is that just because your a leader, it doesn't mean you should be playing instead of younger players with more quality. Nolan wouldn't get a game this season, but because he is captain, everyone thinks he should be first name on the teamsheet. He wouldn't get a game this season if he was here, I am certain of that.

 

we have King Shola for them (seriously, he's the boss at pens)

and they're still in the league, lets hope he can do it again

 

So? Ba is young a has shown potential to score, Nolan is old and also had a full season.

Ba is still getting used to the PL.

Also Nolan is a midfielder, what he scored in goals he made up for by lack of fitness and not a great amount of creativity.