We are really strong in the forward department. Not sure about midfield and defence yet. Depends how Clasie and VVD work out, plus I'm a bit concerned that Cedric isn't good enough (early days, prepared to give him chance etc just worried that's all).
25-man PL squad announced (obviosuly no U21s included, so JWP, Reed & Targett don't count. Isgrove counts as he is 22) (*=Home grown) Alves Soares, Cedric Ricardo *Bertrand, Ryan *Caulker, Steven Roy Clasie, Jordy *Davis, Kelvin Geoffery *Davis, Steven Fonte, Jose Miguel *Forster, Fraser Gerard Gardos, Florin Gazzaniga, Paulo Dino *Isgrove, Lloyd Jeffrey Jimenez Lopez, Juan Miguel *Long, Shane Patrick Mane, Sadio Martina, Rhu-endly Aurelio Jean-Carlo Pelle, Graziano Ramirez Pereyra, Gaston Exequiel *Rodriguez, Jay Enriqus Stekelenburg, Maarten Tadic, Dusan Van Dijk, Virgil Vidal, Oriol Romeu Wanyama, Victor Yoshida, Maya http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/n...announced.html
Interesting that Forster is named in the squad. Gradel and Mings were both omitted from Bournemouth's 25 man squad so they can't play until January, at least. Fingers crossed that's a positive for him and us!
Do Scots? Shouldn't as we have separate leagues...unless they qualify by years in England (as Schneiderlin did).
I believe that English, Northern Irish, Scottish and Welsh players all count. Not sure on the RoI guys, though.
If true (and I'm not doubting you) I'm surprised that EUFA/FIFA allow it....isn't there friction about us being the only country to have subdivisions in tournaments (because of our historical power in football). So much friction that other home countries are afraid to play in a British team at the Olympics in case a precedent is set.
No, as long as you have your quota of home grown players, we could have nominated one more player had they been available. http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/...-to-transfer-deadline-day-summer-2015-16.html
Fairly happy with the current squad, interesting that nobody has voiced any concerns about our lack of signing any real forward players? Most of our concerns last season was the lack of ideas in the final third were we have exactly the same players available up front in Pelle, Long, Mane and Tadic, plus the re-built Jay?
I said through the summer that I'd have like another attacking player. We do have Tadic fit (hopefully) and Jay back, so that's an improvement as Tadic was carrying an injury second half of the season. Mane also is in his second season and most people think he'll continue his step up.
If and when Jay, Graziano, Sadio and Dusan hit form at the same time then watch out Premier League. The former three all have the potential to score 15 league goals each and with the "assist king" providing them service I'm drooling at the thought of them all clicking together.
Well I agree with you but I've accepted this is what we have and don't feel it's worth mentioning any more. I'm not convinced our attacking options are good enough for the club's stated ambitions of qualifying for Europe (I think we need an upgrade on Pelle and I'm not expecting a lot from Jay Rodriguez this season) so I expect us to have similar issues in the final third this season to those we had last season. However, it was clear quite early on in the summer that we weren't signing a Pelle upgrade and I accepted weeks ago that we'd go into the season with much the same attacking options as last season. I'm curious about how Juanmi will develop - I was expecting relatively big things from him.
As far as an extra attacker is concerned, I'm not sure it was required. I think it's more about getting the right balance in the team more than anything. Jay is like a new signing and Juanmi will give us more depth, but the team proved that in handful of games they have the quality to get goals. I'm confident Ron can find the blend. It was a little too gung-ho at Newcastle and Everton and too conservative at Watford. The answer as to whether Norwich was just right got distorted by the sending off
