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I thought I'd do a comparison of our squad as it stands versus the teams that went down to see exactly how far off we are from competing at this level. All my own opinion though and it's hard to really judge on the majority of our players who haven't played at this level before. It's also based on Taarabt leaving, although it could be argued he wouldn't have got in ahead of Adam and Parker.
GK: Kenny
Probably a tough call between Foster and Kenny. Kenny performed heroically all of last season, and Foster was one of the stand-out keepers in the Premiership despite getting relegated. My choice is Kenny as I think he has it in him to perform the heroics that can be the difference between finishing a game with 0 points, or with 1 or 3.
RB: Carr
Not much of a choice here. Carr had a decent season considering he was all but written off at this level. However he does get in by default seeing as his competition is very weak.
CBs: Johnson and Dann
Johnson will be a good buy for Wolves and I fully expect Dann to rejoin him in the Prem before the end of the transfer window. Birmingham's problem wasn't their defence but complete lack of goals. If Dann didn't get injured they might not even be starting in the Championship this season.
LB: Ridgewell
Completing the full back four of Birmingham players. Again not much competition for him.
RM: Gardner
Very good player and probably Birmingham only reliable source of goals in their team.
CM: Parker
Stand-out player in a poor West Ham team. Everyone knows about his quality.
CM: Adam
Almost the definition of a one-man team.
LM: Vaughan
Did well in his first season in the top flight. Would have been a great bit of business if we got him on a free.
CF: DJ Campbell
A lot of people would have laughed at this signing last year, but he proved many wrong.
CF: Ba
Shone at the end of the season and scored a few goals. It was a toss-up between him and Bothroyd, but his record of 7 goals in 12 games was surprising considering how shite West Ham were.
So that's my team. Only one player in there from us.
Faurlin is obviously a good player and better than most central midfielders in the relegated teams. I'd love him to have the impact that Adam had this season.
GK: Kenny
Probably a tough call between Foster and Kenny. Kenny performed heroically all of last season, and Foster was one of the stand-out keepers in the Premiership despite getting relegated. My choice is Kenny as I think he has it in him to perform the heroics that can be the difference between finishing a game with 0 points, or with 1 or 3.
RB: Carr
Not much of a choice here. Carr had a decent season considering he was all but written off at this level. However he does get in by default seeing as his competition is very weak.
CBs: Johnson and Dann
Johnson will be a good buy for Wolves and I fully expect Dann to rejoin him in the Prem before the end of the transfer window. Birmingham's problem wasn't their defence but complete lack of goals. If Dann didn't get injured they might not even be starting in the Championship this season.
LB: Ridgewell
Completing the full back four of Birmingham players. Again not much competition for him.
RM: Gardner
Very good player and probably Birmingham only reliable source of goals in their team.
CM: Parker
Stand-out player in a poor West Ham team. Everyone knows about his quality.
CM: Adam
Almost the definition of a one-man team.
LM: Vaughan
Did well in his first season in the top flight. Would have been a great bit of business if we got him on a free.
CF: DJ Campbell
A lot of people would have laughed at this signing last year, but he proved many wrong.
CF: Ba
Shone at the end of the season and scored a few goals. It was a toss-up between him and Bothroyd, but his record of 7 goals in 12 games was surprising considering how shite West Ham were.
So that's my team. Only one player in there from us.
Faurlin is obviously a good player and better than most central midfielders in the relegated teams. I'd love him to have the impact that Adam had this season.
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