Assessing our squad

[Felwin]

As a general point. I get why people want rid of so many players, I'm with most of you on most of the shouts but it's just not realistic to change an entire team in the space of a couple of windows. I wish it was a computer game and we could swapsies them all out but the reality is we'll have to accept plenty of them as a interim players who will have to be sold but only as the squad progresses. It took Klopp 4-5 windows to gradually replace the dross the scousers had and it wasn't until Van Dijk that they started really challenging. Guardiola got going faster but City can spunk money on problems and players don't think twice about their offers. Plus both of them started from a much higher level than our Europa league failures.

IMO a lot hinges on whether current starters will accept being rotation options. I get the feeling a lot won't. So that'll mean we need starters and backups in about 6 positions. Even Qatar would have trouble solving that problem. Especially because the instinct would be to go to a galacticos model and start chucking mental money around with little thought to how the pieces fit together.

[JoelfuckingGlazer]

Whereas Martial has been here for 8 seasons and missed the equivalent of 2 full seasons in terms of injury, plus a half a season away on Loan. Pathetic.

As for the squad, Ten Hag has done a remarkable job really, when you take a proper look at what's needed. We don't have a reliable keeper. We have 2 reliable centre backs, one of whom can't play more than a game a week. No reliable first choice right back. Shaw has been good this season but he's still be part of many games where our arse falls out. Midfield first choice is quality but has no depth. One quality forward, one new forward who's improving but has a long was to go and a quality young prospect.

To win big titles, you need 16-18 top, top players and then reliable depth. I'd say we have Martinez, Varane, Casemiro, Eriksen, Bruno, Rashford. You could make a case for including Shaw and Antony. Fred, Garnacho, Malacia and one of Dalot/Bissaka as squad players. We probably need a keeper, centre back, right back, alternative to Casemiro, a top class number 8, a top number 9 and backup number 9. Minimum.

Gea, Maguire, Lindelof, Sancho, Martial, McTominay, Van de Beek, Elanga, probably Pellestri all need to go. And that's on top of Weghorst, Bailly, Telles, Tuanzebe, Jones, Williams, Henderson, Mengi, Greenwood.

16-18 top, top players?! Sorry but that is fucking mental. City have maybe 12-13 and they're The Best Team In The World™. Arsenal have 7-8 and they're challenging for the title. Some of Fergies teams had a similar amount to Arsenal this year.

IMO we have 4-5 players who wouldn't look out of place in a title-winning team - Varane, Martinez, Casemiro, Bruno, Rashford based on this season but not as a 9. We need better players, no doubt about it, but 12-13 top signings is overdramatic. A top striker, a top GK, 1-2 mifdielders, 1-2 FB's and a rotation CB and we could challenge (so 7-8 players). It's a lot and we can't afford it so it won't happen, but 16-18 top players is mad.

By 'Top Player', what I really mean are players who you can rely on to perform in any game. So 'Top Player' isn't really the right language. 16-18 reliable first choice players. Akanji, Ake - they aren't 'Top Players' but they perform in big games, they can play as and when needed. Way more reliable than a Maguire or a Lindelof.

There's a lot of work to do with this squad. We won't win a major trophy without at least quality additions in the goalkeeper, centre back, centre mid, right back and centre forward spots. 2 centre forwards really, because neither Weghorst or Martial are right as backups and I'm assuming Greenwood won't feature again.

[Fuck the Glazers]

Lots of talk of a clear out, as there always is at this time of year, especially after an embarrassing loss. It never really materialises. But this time might be different as I've read read selling players is essential to operating within FFP. So fingers crossed big decisions on the likes of Maguire are made. And let's hope Arnold is competent enough to find new clubs for them.

[JoelfuckingGlazer]

Lots of talk of a clear out, as there always is at this time of year, especially after an embarrassing loss. It never really materialises. But this time might be different as I've read read selling players is essential to operating within FFP. So fingers crossed big decisions on the likes of Maguire are made. And let's hope Arnold is competent enough to find new clubs for them.

I worry less about outgoings and more about incomings. We really do need a significant transformation of this squad. I'll need to be done over this and next summer, but it'll need 6-10 quality signings, which mean we'll need to be creative in our approach. We're much more likely to spunk 200m on Kane and Bellingham.

[Felwin]

Whereas Martial has been here for 8 seasons and missed the equivalent of 2 full seasons in terms of injury, plus a half a season away on Loan. Pathetic.

As for the squad, Ten Hag has done a remarkable job really, when you take a proper look at what's needed. We don't have a reliable keeper. We have 2 reliable centre backs, one of whom can't play more than a game a week. No reliable first choice right back. Shaw has been good this season but he's still be part of many games where our arse falls out. Midfield first choice is quality but has no depth. One quality forward, one new forward who's improving but has a long was to go and a quality young prospect.

To win big titles, you need 16-18 top, top players and then reliable depth. I'd say we have Martinez, Varane, Casemiro, Eriksen, Bruno, Rashford. You could make a case for including Shaw and Antony. Fred, Garnacho, Malacia and one of Dalot/Bissaka as squad players. We probably need a keeper, centre back, right back, alternative to Casemiro, a top class number 8, a top number 9 and backup number 9. Minimum.

Gea, Maguire, Lindelof, Sancho, Martial, McTominay, Van de Beek, Elanga, probably Pellestri all need to go. And that's on top of Weghorst, Bailly, Telles, Tuanzebe, Jones, Williams, Henderson, Mengi, Greenwood.

16-18 top, top players?! Sorry but that is fucking mental. City have maybe 12-13 and they're The Best Team In The World™. Arsenal have 7-8 and they're challenging for the title. Some of Fergies teams had a similar amount to Arsenal this year.

IMO we have 4-5 players who wouldn't look out of place in a title-winning team - Varane, Martinez, Casemiro, Bruno, Rashford based on this season but not as a 9. We need better players, no doubt about it, but 12-13 top signings is overdramatic. A top striker, a top GK, 1-2 mifdielders, 1-2 FB's and a rotation CB and we could challenge (so 7-8 players). It's a lot and we can't afford it so it won't happen, but 16-18 top players is mad.

By 'Top Player', what I really mean are players who you can rely on to perform in any game. So 'Top Player' isn't really the right language. 16-18 reliable first choice players. Akanji, Ake - they aren't 'Top Players' but they perform in big games, they can play as and when needed. Way more reliable than a Maguire or a Lindelof.

There's a lot of work to do with this squad. We won't win a major trophy without at least quality additions in the goalkeeper, centre back, centre mid, right back and centre forward spots. 2 centre forwards really, because neither Weghorst or Martial are right as backups and I'm assuming Greenwood won't feature again.

Fair enough, I'm with you there. Even our better class players are too inconsistent. Can't forget that Varane, Martinez and Casemiro, however much of an improvement they are, were part of the thumpings we've received this year. Can only think it's mentality or the way Ten Hag sets them up. Maybe he needs to do what Fergie did a few times and get some better advice or go more defensive in those big games. Can turn them into snoozefests but when we're clearly a work in progress it's just prudent.

[JoelfuckingGlazer]

He doesn't have the talent, but you have to love the blokes attitude. He's living his dream.

[Fuck the Glazers]

He made a difference yesterday with his energy. Brighton were knackered and him, Sabitzer and Fred were good subs cos they pressed really hard and pinned Brighton back. Good tactics from Hag.

[Fuck the Glazers]

Seems like these quotes are legit

[fat maradona]

Garnacho has signed a 5 year deal according to Twittttttttter. That's good news.

[bman2]

Shaw and Lindelof have been pretty good as a CB pairing. They're both suited to playing a high line and getting involved in the play -- they can pass and make themselves available for the pass. But we've defending well with them too. Away to Brighton will be a real test.