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Current state of the squad

I

incident

Viv Anderson
It's Baggio said:
We've basically named every 'over 21' that's still at the club, apart from Arter.
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Yes, literally that.

It's not like being named means anyone is necessarily going to be hanging around the first team.

But we'd look like right twats if we did name fewer than 25, leaving players out, and then got caught short with injuries no matter how unlikely it is.
 
Thomas

Thomas

AMERICAN IDIOT
congo_red_49 said:
Here’s your 25 for the rest of the season folks.
View attachment 33780
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giphy.gif

Richie might finally get his chance.


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T

T Francis

Youth Team
Bit different to last year when we we’re leaving players out. Having to scrape the barrel a bit to make the numbers up and yet the media still go on about us having loads of players !
 
DizzyBala

DizzyBala

Jack Armstrong
I feel like while Murillo is clearly talented and Omabamidele has shown glimpses of his combat readiness, I feel like we have brick that back line up.

For me, when Boly comes back, he's straight back in. Boly, Felipe and Niakhite as the back three with wing backs. That SHOULD give us enough height and defensive presence with Sangare sitting, to allow the fullbacks, the attacking midfielders, the wingers and the striker to do their thing.

Right now, we need experience and physicality in that back line because set pieces and balls into our box are our Achilles.
 
rockhopper

rockhopper

Jack Armstrong
DizzyBala said:
I feel like while Murillo is clearly talented and Omabamidele has shown glimpses of his combat readiness, I feel like we have brick that back line up.

For me, when Boly comes back, he's straight back in. Boly, Felipe and Niakhite as the back three with wing backs. That SHOULD give us enough height and defensive presence with Sangare sitting, to allow the fullbacks, the attacking midfielders, the wingers and the striker to do their thing.

Right now, we need experience and physicality in that back line because set pieces and balls into our box are our Achilles.
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I'd like us to persevere with the back 4, at least for a little longer, it allows us to have the right balance and shape in attack with a 4 like yesterday.
It's not like we are being overrun and giving away numerous chances in defence, it's lapses of concentration and errors that are costing us goals but I do see your point.

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Monkman

Monkman

Grenville Morris
www.theguardian.com

Just how important is a settled central defence in the Premier League? | Oliver Hopkins

Arsenal have gone top of the table with a steady defence, whereas Manchester United keep chopping and changing
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com

Bottom of the central defensive partnership table. This (along with the goalkeeper issue) is the number one reason for our travails this season imo (and this applies pretty much equally to both Cooper and Nuno before anyone jumps on this!).
 
Statto

Statto

Free Kick Specialist
Monkman said:
www.theguardian.com

Just how important is a settled central defence in the Premier League? | Oliver Hopkins

Arsenal have gone top of the table with a steady defence, whereas Manchester United keep chopping and changing
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com

Bottom of the central defensive partnership table. This (along with the goalkeeper issue) is the number one reason for our travails this season imo (and this applies pretty much equally to both Cooper and Nuno before anyone jumps on this!).
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Causality though

This season we have had Worrall, McKenna, Boly, Niakhate, Felipe, Murillo and Omo all play in the defence.

One of them has spent a lot of time injured, 2 of them have left on loan, and 2 of them are young kids.

We also had 2 of them go out to AFCON.

We have also had a change of manager from one who typically played 3 CBs to one who typically plays 2.

If Nuno had settled on this being Murillo plus AN Other, then that could only be Felipe or Omo, but then Boly is probably our best CB and probably complements Murillo best.

I don't think it's really that the manager(s) don't necessarily know their best pairing, but more so that at times players were either not fit or not even at the club, or called up, which restricted the options, like the time last season when we were down to Felipe and Worrall as the only available options.

Actually, as much as he is rated here and as promising as he is, most of our vulnerability at set pieces appears to stem from Murillo...
 
S

stockers

Jack Armstrong
Monkman said:
www.theguardian.com

Just how important is a settled central defence in the Premier League? | Oliver Hopkins

Arsenal have gone top of the table with a steady defence, whereas Manchester United keep chopping and changing
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com

Bottom of the central defensive partnership table. This (along with the goalkeeper issue) is the number one reason for our travails this season imo (and this applies pretty much equally to both Cooper and Nuno before anyone jumps on this!).
Click to expand...
I'm pretty sure we'd be in a better position had we players McKenna and Worral all season..
 
M

MaxiRobriguez

Bob McKinlay
Listen 'ere young man

Listen 'ere young man

Jack Burkitt
The ages of the starting XI vs Fulham are as follows:

6 players were 23 or under, 7 were 24 or under,
9 were 27 or under. Only Sells and Wood over 30.

Awoniyi, Sangare, Dominguez and Niakhate also in the 28 or under bracket.

Keep this squad together along with a handful of quality additions and the future is bright.

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J

JonnoSnr

Youth Team
Monkman said:
www.theguardian.com

Just how important is a settled central defence in the Premier League? | Oliver Hopkins

Arsenal have gone top of the table with a steady defence, whereas Manchester United keep chopping and changing
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com

Bottom of the central defensive partnership table. This (along with the goalkeeper issue) is the number one reason for our travails this season imo (and this applies pretty much equally to both Cooper and Nuno before anyone jumps on this!).
Click to expand...
I think that's an area that will get a big shake up this summer regardless of the division we're in. Felipe is retiring and Boly's contract is up. I can see WB being let go because of his injury problems. It also wouldn't surprise me if Niakhate was sold as he seems to have fallen down Nuno's pecking order.
 
Malwood

Malwood

Geoff Thomas
JonnoSnr said:
I think that's an area that will get a big shake up this summer regardless of the division we're in. Felipe is retiring and Boly's contract is up. I can see WB being let go because of his injury problems. It also wouldn't surprise me if Niakhate was sold as he seems to have fallen down Nuno's pecking order.
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I assume we'll offer Boly another year. I don't think Niakhate will be sold either: Murillo probably will be, though.
 
J

JonnoSnr

Youth Team
Malwood said:
I assume we'll offer Boly another year. I don't think Niakhate will be sold either: Murillo probably will be, though.
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I like Boly when he plays but he's just not fit often enough for me. Perhaps on a pay as you play sort of deal it could work though.
 
Listen 'ere young man

Listen 'ere young man

Jack Burkitt
If I have got my facts correct with Jonjo Shelvey.

Initial 5.5m fee plus 2.5 years at 75k pw equates to around 15m outlay.

Having recinded the contact due to the loan cock up, and having played a total of 583 minutes equates to 25.7k per minute or 2.3m per 90.

Another huge dent in the PSR figures surely.

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Robertson

Robertson

Viv Anderson
It was reported later on in the Athletic that there was no transfer fee for Shelvey. Think it was during one of Daniel Taylor’s exposés but no idea where to find it.
 
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