I am stealing Martinho and SuperChrissy's thunder here so if either wants to start their own thread on this topic please delete mine. But they could be busy men whereas all I have to do at the moment here in the Dominican Republic is kill time for a couple of hours before I am whisked off to a private pool party where (I am assured) 30 chicas of doubtful morals have been invited. I would rather spend the afternoon on not606 but I have my role to play here as representative of English social values. I cannot for one minute accept Martinho's contention that our present squad is man-for-man "a lot stronger" than the squad of 2007/8. Of course how you use those "men" , team morale and momentum are important factors, and they could see us over the half-way line (though I would settle for 15th). At the end of last season I thought we would strengthen the squad in five positions, CF, LM, CM, RM, CB, with maybe three buys around 1 million and a couple of quality loans. Then challenge strongly for a play-off place. Looks like that won't happen now, so 15th would be good. Below are our top 16 starters that season with appearences: Nicky Weaver (48) at least as good as Hamer (Hamer has potential but Weaver had experience) Zheng Zhi (41) a class ahead of any of our current midfielders though never properly used. Way better than Stephens or Pritchard. Darren Ambrose (33) with all his faults way better than Green or Wagstaff Chris Iwelumo (32) we don't even have anyone with whom to compare him (apart from Leon Clarke and young Smith) which is a big weakness in our squad Matthew Holland (31) probably inferior to Danny Hollands by that stage Paddy McCarthy (31) as good as Taylor Jose Semedo (30) much better than Andy Hughes and we could do with him in the Championship Majdid Bougherra (28) Different sort of player to Morrison but equally good in his way Lloyd Sam (28) with all his faults way better than Green or Wagstaff at that stage in his career Jonathan Fortune (27) as good as Leon Cort Luke Varney (25) as good as Danny Haynes unless Haynes belatedly realises his potential Andy Reid (22) better than Johnny Jackson and equally injury prone Jerome Thomas (20) with all his faults way better than Green or Wagstaff (where have I heard that before?) More or less maintained a Premiership place lately. I cannot see either of those two managing that. Sam Sodje (20) we don't have a fourth CB that good, only Mambo. Danny Mills (19) probably as good as Solly at Championship level though their careers going in opposite directions Chris Powell (18) not as good as Wiggins by that stage. Or would his know-how and spirit bridge that gap? So I think the old class was well ahead of the present squad so far. That leaves us with two more cards to play: BWP - could prove to have been a half-season wonder. Not sure if he can cut it in the Championship but if so more effective than Varney Kermit - we never had a player that good in 2007/08 but he is nearly 31. Can he raise his game enough once again to shine? Let's hope so. Overall, man-for-man I think the older squad were comfortably better. But Chris may get more out of our present lot. A good start is vital to maintain the momentum. We could get thumped by Birmingham and Leicester and be in for a long hard season. Should stay clear of relegation though.
Wow - I need to go away and think about this. In the meantime, put a brave face on and try to keep your chin up at the pool party - sounds hellish out there, eddie...
I sort of agree with a lot of that. Just makes me angry really, how could that team (on paper) have done so badly? Answer: Super Al.
no probs eddie - no point in having multiple threads on the same topic. Weaver I can agree is about a the same as Hamer. I would give Hamer the nod though only for age and Hamer being in better shape though not a lot in it really. Zheng Zhi or Stephens is another close one both attacking midfielders and not a lot in it again. I disagree about Zheng Zhi being way better than Stephens though. Darren Ambrose I agree technically better than Green but under-performed massively when Curbs went and for all his talent didn't make much of an impact. I'd have Green for the fact he gives his all even on a bad day while Ambrose rarely broke into a sweat which is why i'd still have Green in over the more-talented Ambrose. Chris Iwelumo - I agree though we do have Kermorgant and while it's hard to compare having played in different leagues Iwelumo from 2007 would be a useful addition to the squad today possible 1st teamer. Matt Holland - while no-one could ever question Holland's commitment his legs had gone and I always felt his replacing Semedo in the team co-incided with our drop down the table. Hollands for me. Paddy McCarthy - compared to Taylor i'd still pick Taylor though admittedly not a lot between the two players though would say McCarthy a bit more accident prone. Jose Semedo - agreed there would be a place for him in the squad instead of Hughes, would he really replace Hollands in the team though having only scored was it 4 goals in 3 years? Majid Bougherra - the best CB of both teams Lloyd Sam - sorry I disagree on this one. Wagstaff gets the edge as although Sam was more skillful Wagstaff is a better finisher. Once doubled up on Sam offered us little. Jon Fortune - agree about a par with Leon Cort Luke Varney - agree with but would he get in the team? he'd score some useful goals and probably get the nod ahead of Haynes Andy Reid - agreed technically better than Jackson and was our supply line for Iwelumo until sold to Sunderland. Jerome Thomas - again while technically better I don't think he contributed any goals or assists until he left. Similar to Ambrose. Sam Sodje - agreed while we don't have a 4th CB I can only compare him to the Doc and there's only one winner here. Danny Mills - like Weaver, was winding down his career, Solly will have a bigger impact. Chris Powell - in his latter years would do well to replace Wiggins in the team though still a place in the squad. it's a tricky one to do as some of the 07/08 team had more talent but I feel some of the current crop will be more productive despite not being as talented as some of the 07/08 team. Don't get me wrong i'm not saying that last season's team are suddenly top 6 Championship material but there's a reason why that squad also finished a dissapointing 11th. Just look at Leicester last season it's not always the big names that get results but the best performers.
Trouble is you can look at that Squad and compare it with the one weve got now but you've also got to look at the Manager... Chris Powell we all know can motivate players, Alan Pardew was starting his downward spiral with the club when we finished our first Championship season. Swansea are a great example... When Leon Britton, Scott Sinclair, Danny Graham and Joe Allen were playing League One football would you think then that two of those players would be representing GB in the Olympics You look at our Squad now compared to that one and I'd say ours now is a bit younger / a bit hungrier and has a bit more to prove else we'd have never have got out of League One in the first place. Its not quite so much the gap between League One and the Championship you have to be concerned about, its the gap between the Championship and the Premiership that needs to worry you slightly
We don't have anyone to compare Iwelumo with?! Kermorgant is clearly technically better and although not as tall is very good in the air himself. Both battle away and work very hard for the team. I'm confident Kermorgant is the better all round player despite the fact he's not yet played in the Champ for us. Let's hope he's still here come September.
