A realistic look at the squad

[Rich]

So, we have balanced the wages book up by loaning out Ferdinand, Faurlin & Cisse which will cover Samba. Nelsen has gone and so has DJ (it's going through I have this on extremely good authority) so they cover the incoming wages. So we are there or thereabouts on outgoing wages from when Harry came in to deal with Sparkless's mess. We have spent around £20m on Samba and Remy and re-coupled maybe £1m on DJ and probably a little compensation from Toronto from Nelsen's contract break at a bad time for us.

So, what have we got in terms of positions? Lots of cover everywhere apart from up front. Odemwingie is the man Harry wanted and that's the disappointment, this is down to WBA and no one else.

We have lots of FB options with the Korean, Young and potentially Luke Young also coming back into the 25. Add Fabio, Traore, Onouha we have lots. At CB we have Samba, Hill and Ben Haim, but I think Onouha will also be utilised here when needed. In central Midfield we have Derry, Mbia, Jenas, Granero, Park and don't forget a returning Diakite who will become a very good player. We now have pace on the wings with Townsend, throw in SWP, Hoilett (who must get fit and fast), Mackie and Taarabt who can play there, also Traore who is the best option when we have Zamora on the pitch to put nice flighted balls into the box for him to attack. Up front its Remy, Zamora & Bothroyd. Tarbs in that hole in behind.

Have we got enough to stay up? I think so.

[Timmy the Doc]

Looks good when you put it that way, but we have already had 80 % of those names and got 2 wins. Hopefully Samba, Remy and perhaps Townsend can make the difference.

[erikmata]

Good post! I agree, Granero is a good player but looked really slow against MC, he will get better for everyday he is fit now. Maybe we all wanted someone a bit better than Jenas but still, it doesn't look to bad in the middle of the park if Mbia takes Derrys defensive position. And, as we all could see against MC Fabio is fully capable of playing in midfield if needed.

Now, we need to win a few games!

[zuluop]

Looks good when you put it that way, but we have already had 80 % of those names and got 2 wins. Hopefully Samba, Remy and perhaps Townsend can make the difference.

And when you put it like that I am starting to bite my nails - not at all as confident as I had hoped for. Shame we did not get Mvila and either Odemwingie or Crouch. That would have done it for me.

[Timmy the Doc]

Erik, you perhaps look our squad through your keepers eyes. Fabio can play midfield as a defensive player, but we shouldn't play him there when we have to create chances/win games.

[erikmata]

Erik, you perhaps look our squad through your keepers eyes. Fabio can play midfield as a defensive player, but we shouldn't play him there when we have to create chances/win games.

So true, Fabio is absolutely not creative enough... And yes, I often see the game from my goalkeepers eyes.

[danarnie]

Cesar 1
Green 2
Murphy 3

Fabio 4
Yun 5
Ben Haim 6
Hill 7
Samba 8
Onuoha 9
Young 10

Traore 11
Mackie 12
SWP 13
Granero 14
Jenas 15
Mbia 16
Derry 17
Diakite 18
Hoilett 19
Taarabt 20

Zamora 21
Bothroyd 22
Remy 23
Campbell? 24
Johnson? 25

Townsend under 21....

Missed anyone?

[johnp]

You forgot Park - we could keep one space clear in case we can get an out of contract player

[Bluehoop]

Just JSP

[oldskoolturk]

Can't help but think boswinga will keep a place seeing as we couldn't move him on

[Busheyboy]

Cesar 1
Green 2
Murphy 3

Fabio 4
Yun 5
Ben Haim 6
Hill 7
Samba 8
Onuoha 9
Young 10

Traore 11
Mackie 12
SWP 13
Granero 14
Jenas 15
Mbia 16
Derry 17
Diakite 18
Hoilett 19
Taarabt 20

Zamora 21
Bothroyd 22
Remy 23
Campbell? 24
Johnson? 25

Townsend under 21....

Missed anyone?

Johnson won't be in it as I don't think he'll be fit and put Park in
possibly Townsend for Young (don't think he'll figure)

[danarnie]

So I did...highly rated obviously.

Campbell if gone will not be there. Doubt Johnson will be either.

Luke Young another one with a questionable inclusion

Take away those 3 out and add Park, you have 2 spaces

[Rich]

Park in for Johnson as he's injured for the season.

[danarnie]

Dont think Townsend has to be named in 25 as he is 21 but need to check on that

[maddix]

Think it all depends on who we're playing as to how we approach games .....

against the better teams (as proved recently ) we will look to hold out for the draw hence Remy up on his own ,pack the midfield and maybe nick a goal on the break or set piece ( something we were never a threat at ) .

Against the 'lesser' teams can see Bobby up front with Remy and the midfielsd playing a bit more attacking down the flanks .

The signing of samba not only strengthens the back but increases our chances ten fold of scoring at set pieces !!