On paper - is this our best squad since 1982/83?

[Pavilionaire]

I've written down my 1st XI and 7 subs and Toko, McCourt, JFC and Agustien are struggling to make the bench. This is the best 22 I think we've ever had, although it remains to be seen whether Sami can make this work.

I've not been this excited about an Albion line-up since the days of early Ulloa and cuffing Palace at the Amex. Whatever happens the board deserve a lot of credit for assembling this squad and still having transfer kitty from Ulloa left over.

 

[Mellotron]

I don't know enough about the players yet to say whether it's better than the side that finished 4th 2 seasons back.

 

[Pavilionaire]

Neither do I, but it's all there - precocious youth, players with a point to prove, flair, experience, hunger, competition for places...

 

[Prince Monolulu]

Results.....are what teams are judged by. Let's see come May 2015.

 

[GT49er]

No. It was decided before the season started that this was the WORST team we have had at the Amex, which just proves that some people (ok quite a lot it seems) really are deluded morons on here.

Before the season started (and for the first couple of league games) it quite probably WAS the worst squad we'd had at the Amex!

 

[Husty]

Lolz. Mental thread, I really hope you were not one of the ones proclaiming relegation two weeks ago. We've strengthened to the minimal degree, half the signings remain largely unproven and there are big questions hanging over the young player still. Could go on to great things but on paper? Get real. The team with Vicente in it was on paper our best bar none, but a country mile.

 

[Pavilionaire]

Lolz. Mental thread, I really hope you were not one of the ones proclaiming relegation two weeks ago. We've strengthened to the minimal degree, half the signings remain largely unproven and there are big questions hanging over the young player still. Could go on to great things but on paper? Get real. The team with Vicente in it was on paper our best bar none, but a country mile.

I agree, the TEAM with Vicente in it was extremely good, but I'm talking about this SQUAD as compared with other squads.

 

[Not Andy Naylor]

Stronger than the mid-80s one that included Dennis Mortimer, Dean Saunders, Danny Wilson, Eric Young, Gary O'Reilly, Steve Penney, Terry Connor, Steve Jacobs ...?

 

[thisistips]

My Swiss friends swear Toko is quality. I hope we see that come through.

 

[Goldstone1976]

I made a very similar point in one of he other threads. Yes, I think that, on paper, this is probably the best squad in absolute terms for ~30 years. It's arguable that other squads have been stronger for the division we've been in at the time, and whether it's strong enough, gels together properly, or delivers - only time will tell. But, on paper, it is, imo the best squad for 30 years...

 

[big nuts]

I don't know enough about the players yet to say whether it's better than the side that finished 4th 2 seasons back.

That was my first thought. We were a seriously strong side that year with quality throughout and on the bench. Whereas last season the luck was with us and 6th flattered us to a degree, I felt the season prior to that we possibly deserved better with the quality of our football.

If this team proves better than two years back we will go up as the likes of Upson, Bridcutt, Hammond, Barnes, Vokes & Buckley are all playing Premier League and we also had Bruno, Kuczack, Vicente, Orlandi, Crofts, Lopez & Bridge with serious top level experience and a natural goal scorer in Ulloa.

Exciting times though and I'll look forward to seeing how this season develops, lets just hope we avoid serious injuries and the players gel.

 

[Ernest]

Stronger than the mid-80s one that included Dennis Mortimer, Dean Saunders, Danny Wilson, Eric Young, Gary O'Reilly, Steve Penney, Terry Connor, Steve Jacobs ...?

Unfortunately NSC is polluted by idiots, what about the team of 2 seasons ago ? That was far stronger than this one

 

[Goldstone1976]

Unfortunately NSC is polluted by idiots, what about the team of 2 seasons ago ? That was far stronger than this one

The point that's being made is not about the team, but the squad as a whole. Do you think that season's squad was as strong as this one's now is?

 

[Ernest]

The point that's being made is not about the team, but the squad as a whole. Do you think that season's squad was as strong as this one's now is?

This one is not that strong, Ankergren back up goalie for one, Chicksen as back up left back is another

 

[banjo]

All I can say is things are looking a whole lot better now.

 

[Mowgli37]

This one is not that strong, Ankergren back up goalie for one, Chicksen as back up left back is another

Ankergren was the back-up in that season as well and who did we have as cover for left back? Marcos Painter, most recently of Portsmouth. He was decent, but Chicksen can become a much better player imo.

However, as Husty said above, this side is largely unproven, so I'll be reserving judgement on its overall merit compared to other seasons until later in the campaign.

 

[Ernest]

Ankergren was the back-up in that season as well and who did we have as cover for left back? Marcos Painter, most recently of Portsmouth. He was decent, but Chicksen can become a much better player imo.

However, as Husty said above, this side is largely unproven, so I'll be reserving judgement on its overall merit compared to other seasons until later in the campaign.

Exactly, you can only judge a team/squad by what they ACHIEVE

 

[Chris001]

I've written down my 1st XI and 7 subs and Toko, McCourt, JFC and Agustien are struggling to make the bench. This is the best 22 I think we've ever had, although it remains to be seen whether Sami can make this work.

I've not been this excited about an Albion line-up since the days of early Ulloa and cuffing Palace at the Amex. Whatever happens the board deserve a lot of credit for assembling this squad and still having transfer kitty from Ulloa left over.

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence".

I with you brother

 

[scoobiewhite]

Ankergren was the back-up in that season as well and who did we have as cover for left back? Marcos Painter, most recently of Portsmouth. He was decent, but Chicksen can become a much better player imo.

However, as Husty said above, this side is largely unproven, so I'll be reserving judgement on its overall merit compared to other seasons until later in the campaign.

Chicksen is already better than painter. Not the finished article but had a great second half at Swindon.

 

[saafend_seagull]

No. It was decided before the season started that this was the WORST team we have had at the Amex, which just proves that some people (ok quite a lot it seems) really are deluded morons on here.

TEN signings since then.