I'd like to see someone with both pace and strength up there. A Michail Antonio type. I'm not sure we've got that.
Our squad
- Thread starter FellTop
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One things for sure if we do go up (let us pray) the squad is no where good enough to even survive in The Championship.
If this is not done, it’ll be back to L1.
Bart
If this is not done, it’ll be back to L1.
Bart
Just said that on the other thread, and this has been a great read, well done all, your assessments of the squad are spot on. My suggestion has been to play a loose 2/5/2/ formation as I think it would suit our squad at present as we are very short of full backs or wingerst, I also think Embleton can hold the ball in the final third better than anyone at the club, but he is not a winger and neither is Broadhead or O,Brian. This squad is maybe two players short of a top two automatic spot and if we can add a quality center back like Beavers and a midfield dynamo we would walk it, even with the present coach..
Don't disagree with a lot of that... we certainly need another striker, if Stewart gets injured we are in trouble.
Also get Diamond back, let's see if he had improved..
Obviously I'm not saying sign Antonio. A forward with pace and who can hold it up.
Personally out of the loan players we have I would send Alves back. It looks like the desk with Man City is if Doyle is fit he plays league football but Alves doesn't get a game. I also think that when he has played he's looked nervy and the weakest of the centre halves but that could be explained as not playing enough in the side
Said it last game mate, build up play and passing was excellent, last third was shìte,
Worrying especially now the defence has turned frail.
If we can get an emergency loan in defence hopefully keep in touch until the window. Get some players back fit, maybe another solid defender in, definitely a no nonsense midfield general, and a striker to take the heat off or compliment Stewart.
On LJ I think if we keep in touch to the window he'll be given more time.
Fail to make the playoffs, definitely gone, Possible stay of execution if we put up a good show in the playoffs.
Lose too many between now and the window I think he may well get shot .
I agree that we need 2-3 additions to be sure of kicking on and you've highlighted where you think our weaknesses lie. With the defence in particular, you point out that some are not Top 2 calibre, but I think if we analyse other squads in the division there isn't a PAIR of Centre Backs or a PAIR of Full Backs who you could put into that category. They might have one who would not look out of place in the Championship, but both of them - probably not.
In my opinion, we have some very good players individually for this level but it's how we are being moulded as a team which is the problem.
been lacking in any sunderland squad for many a year, no shocker that our last decent season came with rae and hutch in the middle...in fact, iirc they both went in the same week and never got replaced, from then on it went downhill.
embleton can drive forward with the ball, neil can see/pick a pass but is there room for both on the pitch at the same time, a combo of both would be grand.
They've both started against Ipswich, Rotherham, Gillingham, Bolton, Fleetwood, and probably a few others. Decent pairing.
At the start of September many people on here were worried about just how thin our squad was - especially when recalling the almost season long injury crisis of last year.
This is very true. While I think some of the assessments at that time were well wide of the mark, it shows that you probably need at least couple of transfer windows to complete a rebuild.
There's nothing wrong with the size of our squad. It's probably the strongest in the league when it comes to having cover for every position. That should be more than enough otherwise you get into Ipswich territory and we need to keep our expenses sustainable as the club likes to keep reminding us.
Good overall assessment of the squad. I like Stewart he has a fantastic work rate but at times he’s having to do the leg work out wide which leaves us short of players and height in the middle. I think with Mcgeady struggling with fitness and form and Dajuka still learning his trade another wide player could be added along with a powerful mid midfielder . We aren’t far away from a top 2 team but we definitely need some additions. Hopefully we can stay amongst it until January.
Bit thin maybe, but the coach is not helping by sticking to the same formation week after week with players struggling to adapt to it.
I am hopeful we have the two fullbacks for the championship in cirkin and huggins, bu we need them on the pitch to see. In that Johnson has been dealt a rough hand.
Centre back i think we are one short. Willis would be the one who could have made a difference for me. Sheff Wed have some cracking centre backs for me and would swap for a couple of hours.
I have been impressed with Will Keane at Wigan. Maybe finally maturing as a player. He could be that type of player for us, not as quick but then wouldnt need to be in this league.
yeh i know they have both started, i just think playing both for basically one job is taking away another 'specialised' player and feel they do seem to be less effective when both are on the pitch, one or the other always seems to get a better performance.