Is our squad stronger or weaker than last year?

[Cotontoquinn]

Pretty clear that the issue of LB is the most important.
Not been impressed with our attempts to sign Cucurella - we appear to have given Brighton an opportunity to demand an excessive fee. Hopefully a Plan B is in place and we can secure a good defensive LB.

 

[Father Paul]

Definitely stronger due to age profile of the squad.

Two things are important for me -
1. Even if any of the players that left start on fire for their new clubs we must not panic and start the regret posts.

2. We have worked hard to build an academy that produces players capable of the step up - I find it funny that some people who were moaning that we don't bring youth through are now complaining we have not brought in enough quality! Palmer and others will get chances and that has to be a good thing. A lot will depend on avoiding serious injuries but we have more than enough quality in those brought in.

I also strongly suspect we may see one more signing before August so how can anyone think replacing Gabby and Raheem with Haaland & Alvarez is in any way making us weaker. Steffan was ok but Moreno will give Eddie plenty of competition so that makes us stronger. Calvin replacing Ferna in his pomp would have been a downgrade but replacing Ferna at age 37 is an upgrade. I have never been more buzzing for a new season but am realistic and don't expect us to start by winning the first 10 games - peak by December for our usual 14 game winning run will do nicely ha!

There will be no December peak this year for anyone. Sterling and Jesus will be big losses but a fit Haaland should more than compensate. Alvarez may struggle as may Palmer if he hangs around. Key to our season will be Grealish and Foden I think. Grealish had a mediocre first season and I though Phil was also a bit flat at times. Clearly we are short a full back but I expect that to be sorted out over the next couple of weeks. Overall I would say we are more or less even in terms of quality and strength.

 

[Mifred]

Stronger. We've got a potential world class centre forward who is 6 foot 6 and full of muscles.

And a Vegemite sandwich

 

[bellsouth]

At the moment the squad is weaker, but the first team is stronger, if that make sense.

 

[Centurions]

The elephant in the room is the LB question. Until we resolve that, I would say we are, at best, the same. The back up keeper is a plus, definitely. As is Phillips replacing Fern, who's legs had gone at this stage. Forwards? Well; losing the PL experience of Sterling and Jesus can't be underestimated. Yes, we've got Haaland, who just about every big club in the world would want in their team. And the little I've seen of Alvarez excites me. But they're both unproven in the PL. But it's the LB issue that's a concern. Losing Zinchenko without securing a top notch replacement (though I obviously don't know what's going on behind the scenes) is a mistake.

Are there not more positives than negatives in your post though? That would suggest stronger rather than the same I'd have thought?

*********

For me, stronger, without a doubt. We've got a more balanced team & squad and Grealish looks like he's got a point to prove (albeit only 2 games) which is a further positive. Palmer is hopefully over whatever the issue was last season as well.

Left back will shortly no longer be an issue, I can't see any holes in the squad.

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

It's too early to say. I would return to his thread at Christmas. In the meantime, I see that Erling is two inches taller than Virgil.

 

[Mr HJ]

There will be no December peak this year for anyone. Sterling and Jesus will be big losses but a fit Haaland should more than compensate. Alvarez may struggle as may Palmer if he hangs around. Key to our season will be Grealish and Foden I think. Grealish had a mediocre first season and I though Phil was also a bit flat at times. Clearly we are short a full back but I expect that to be sorted out over the next couple of weeks. Overall I would say we are more or less even in terms of quality and strength.

I'll check back with you in January ha..

 

[trevorriley]

Stronger. We've got a potential world class centre forward who is 6 foot 6 and full of muscles.

men at work, but 6ft 4"

id say we are stronger, i think pep would feel that he has let go of players that either struggled for the team place or even a bench place and has replaced by players that are going to make others fight for a first team place. If we get the guy from brighton, its been one of best windows we have had for a while.

 

[B\connellblue]

Lucky to stay up I'd say.

 

[SleepingBlueTiger]

Slightly weaker currently, will be taking as assumption that as usual most signings won't hit the ground running. The level of Haaland is so high that he will of course contribute highly but won't reach his best game this season.

The big one for me is the loss of substantial winger contribution from Sterling and Jesus. That's a lot of minutes for someone else to take over and Foden and Grealish aren't exactly injury free players.