Made a similar post this time last year, comparing the strength of each of our current 11 vs our best 11 in 2003, a year I feel was the strongest in recent times. My opinions are: Boruc vs Niemi - Boruc Clyne vs Dodd - Clyne Lovren vs Svensson - Lovren Fonte vs Lundekvam - Lundekvam Shaw vs Bridge - Equal Wanyama vs Marsden - Marsden Schneiderlin vs Oakley - Equal Lallana vs Fernandes - Lallana Davis/Ramirez vs Svensson - Svensson Osvaldo vs Pahars - Pahars Lambert vs Beattie - Lambert Not looking too bad is it
Boruc is having a great season, no doubt. But I'd still put Niemi ahead of him. Niemi could have played for any team in the PL.
Niemi Clyne Killer Lovren Shaw Lallana Morgan Wanyama Marsden Lambert Beattie Not necessarily set up exactly in that matter. Shaw vs Bridge was a tricky one, especially given that Marsden is in there (meaning that it wouldn't be as essential to have the LB with the better defensive game, ie Shaw IMO). Against lesser sides, I'd player Pahars instead if Wanyama, with Marsden partnering Morgan.
I pick Osvaldo over Lambert at the moment, take that as u will but it would be Osvaldo and Pahars up front. Shaw for his age is a bit ahead of Bridge and Morgan will get in MOST prem teams!
Niemi Clyne Svensson Lundekvam Shaw Wanyama Schneiderlin Lallana Svensson Pahars Lambert New team wins it 6-5
Boruc vs Niemi - They both are/were very different but Niemi just edges it for me. Clyne vs Dodd - Not sure but Clyne is going to get better and better. Lovren vs Svensson - Too soon to say. Fonte vs Lundekvam - Lundekvam every time. Shaw vs Bridge - Bridge but Shaw is catching him up and will overtake him soon. Wanyama vs Marsden - Marsden? You are kidding aren't you? Schneiderlin vs Oakley - FFS Morgan every time by a mile. Lallana vs Fernandes - Lallana Yes. Fernandes would hide in tough games. Davis/Ramirez vs Svensson - Svensson Agreed Osvaldo vs Pahars - Pahars Give it time. Osvaldo has only played a handful of games and I don't think he will be the sicknote that Pahars became. Lambert vs Beattie - Lambert Absolutely.
Niemi Clyne Lovren Lundekvam/Fonte....love them both Shaw Wanyama Schneiderlin Lallana Svensson Osvaldo Lambert I think that we can safely say that today's squad depth is stronger....Delap and Telfer anyone? I fully expect us to finish at least as high as the 2003 squad did and possibly go one better by winning a domestic cup.
