[Albion] Is the squad strong enough to compete ?

[Greg Bobkin]

We aren’t weaker in the sqaud defensively though are we. We lost a youngster with 17 appearances who had potential and replaced him with a like for like. We also added Milner who can cover right back and left back. So from a squad perspective the defence is better covered than it was last season.

Plus JPVH is a better, more experienced, player than he was at the beginning of last season.

Ditto the other young pups in the squad.

 

[The Fits]

Losing Dunk or Pervis for more than a game or two is a concern.

 

[Weststander]

We aren’t weaker in the sqaud defensively though are we. We lost a youngster with 17 appearances who had potential and replaced him with a like for like. We also added Milner who can cover right back and left back. So from a squad perspective the defence is better covered than it was last season.

Colwill was quality almost immediately. Now selected for England, shirley based on his time with us.

Milner looks very vulnerable as a pure RB. I think he may settle down in CM.

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

I have to rely on RDZ and the club working together. Like most of the people here, my questions/points are:

1. What happens if Pervis is injured?

Lamptey i reckon, we've seen him over there before and the most like for like swop

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Lamptey i reckon, we've seen him over there before and the most like for like swop

He's a sick note. Can't rely on him at all to be there when needed.

Webster also not that reliable to stay on the pitch for an extended period.

 

[Seasider78]

Our attacking options are now outrageous and probably one of the best in the league how RDZ picks 4 from that 10 is going to be interesting!

Midfield again last season probably one of the strongest double pivots in the league so hard to replace but Gilmour has really stepped up and we now have Baleba to do the dirty work with experience backup in Dahoud and Milner.

Defence is where main worry is but only because of injuries. Dunk has hopefully put the close season niggles behind him but Webster and Lamptey appear to be made of glass. We have cover and a few options but not as strong as other areas of side or options for rotation. The hope is we keep our first choice defence fit until Xmas and probably an area club will look to strengthen in January when we will have a better idea of how squad is coping with volume of games.

 

[Farehamseagull]

That's a squad that screams "Newcastle 1997". Lots of 3-2s methinks

This. We’re heavily weighted in attack, should be exciting!

I like the squad but think we are light at the back. I do wish we’d brought in a first 11 right back and cover left back.

 

[trueblue]

Because if we lose estupinan our season is effectively over?

Igor Julio, James Milner - 2 who’ve played there before. Then you’ve got Lamptey, March, Gross and maybe even Mitoma (sometimes LWB at USG) who can do a job. That’s before you delve into the youngsters who played preseason. None of them are Pervis but it’s not as drastic as you’re saying, particularly with a boss who’s shown orthodox fullbacks are not really his thing.

 

[chaileyjem]

Club only just failed to bring in a CB close to deadline but it collapsed. Cashin, a 21 year old from Derby. Perhaps acknowledging it’s a gap.
Although I doubt he’d been have been close to first team. More of a one for the future as ever.
Expect they’ll go back in January.

 

[Gary Hart's Stalker]

Great summary. Thanks for compiling it. What does HGP mean?

 

[chickens]

Great summary. Thanks for compiling it. What does HGP mean?

Home Grown Player

 

[Johnny RoastBeef]

Lots of worried posts on here regarding our full back cover.

But the club are clearly content to rely on what we have, plus Imari Samuels and Casper Nilsson from the U21s.

These guys are a similar age profile to Carlos Baleba and Ansu Fati and 2 years older than Evan Ferguson was when he made his Premier League debut. Both are younger aged internationals and now have a clear path towards the first team.

If we constantly purchase replacements, how do good prospects like these guys get their opportunity to step up?

 

[Gary Hart's Stalker]

Home Grown Player

I did think that but Lamptey??

 

[chickens]

I did think that but Lamptey??

I believe he was in Chelsea’s academy (still U.K.) for a long time before being with us, so can still count as home grown. If I’m wrong on that, I suspect someone more knowledgeable will be along in a bit to correct me.

 

[razer]

I'll reserve judgement until the halfway point of the season rather than speculating. When the attacking is successful, we'll blow some teams away but I also think we'll have more than a few West Ham days.

 

[chaileyjem]

I did think that but Lamptey??

HGP is about how long you spend in an academy in the UK not about who you play for internationally. Sanchez was a HGP for example.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Right back

Agree, defence relatively the weakest area, particularly at RB and generally for pace as you say. However, overall it looks very good though!

LB is weaker imho

 

[Munchkin]

Moder will be like a new signing when he returns. (Whenever that might be!)

 

[Gary Hart's Stalker]

HGP is about how long you spend in an academy in the UK not about who you play for internationally. Sanchez was a HGP for example.

Thank you.

 

[HantsSeagull]

who plays left back if Pervis is crocked?