Is this team not good enough to challenged added Craig to starting line up

I've slipped a poll on to see what the current feeling is.
I am positive new players will join but no guarantee the will be up and running quickly or be any better than we have.
So happy for poll to be based on current squad and coach.
The new link to Matthew Craig is good if it comes off.

 

I voted no because I can't see where the goals are coming from in that squad. We need a striker capable of 20 goals a season. Otherwise it's a decent squad.

 

I can’t vote anyway as I use Tapatalk to view the forum and that doesn’t allow you to view polls unfortunately.

 

Not quite, but only a couple off.

 

I don't honestly know. But, being a bit selfish, I wouldn't mind seeing two or three more incoming before the end of the transfer window.

 

I think this depends on your definition of 'significantly better'. I think it'll be more enjoyable certainly, we'll move the ball forward more quickly and get it into the box more often than under Collins and it'll therefore be more popular with the fans - including me. I doubt though that we'll take as many points away from home as we did last season. There were games last season when I thought we were fortunate to win away from home but somehow we did and our away points total was the highest in club history. I'd be amazed if we're close to matching it, let alone bettering it, particularly given the supposedly better teams we'll be playing.
Improvement therefore will need to be at Oakwell and whilst I think it will be better, I'm not convinced it'll be better enough. Like others on this thread, at present I don't see how we'll score enough goals to win enough games.
Btw, I still feel a little sorry for Collins given how woefully short he was left defensively with the recruitment last summer. And had it been better, we may have been promoted and just maybe his style may have been different (although I suspect not). I really hope we don't leave Clarke similarly short.

 

I voted yes, I think/hope he will get the best out of our players. Man management & all that.

 

WRectum!!! Lolzzz Sir!! proper lolzzz!!!
...........sithi

 

We need some additions to make us top six contenders. Still think we need a new keeper. Can’t really judge the lad from Walsall but he scream out to me potential. Would be nice for him to compete with a more experience stopper.

I’d personally be using Earl as a left back with some competition coming in. We have three centre halves who are easily good enough. If we’re gonna be playing four at back, we won’t need a fourth choice…especially with Earl being about as well. I’d personally keep McCarthy as he edges Lopata and Shepherd for me. If we do play three at back, Lopata and Shepherd might find themselves in and around the squad.

Not sure we need Lofthouse around the first team if O’Keefe and Cotter are about.

It looks as though Russell may have been told to move on. Clarke may play a four man midfield or five man midfield based on yesterday. We have six players who are good enough but that includes Wolfe, Hourihane and Russell. Can see us getting someone in which would be welcomed if we’re looking at playing a regular three and hopefully Wolfe can stay fit. Hourihane, Connell, Phillips, Wolfe, a new signing and Benson are more than good enough to make a midfield at this level.

Based on yesterday, Clarke might use wingers during the match at some stage, whether that’s starting or as options off the bench. Jalo is the only player who can do that which makes me think we’re either going to recruit heavily in that position or not really use it. We’re obviously gonna be using a similar system as last time which makes me think we’re gonna be heavy in midfield.

Cosgrove, Watters and Marsh are all good enough at this level as long as we recruit another forward. I think Jalo may struggle in this system and I hope to be proved wrong but if anyone decent comes in with a good offer, I know what I’d be doing.

In other words, we’re a keeper, left back, a midfielder if Russell leaves and a striker away from being a good side.

 

I would honestly start Lofthouse over Cotter for sure. Not sure on Okeefe, he had some dodgy games but he had some good games too so depends on how he plays under the Clarke system. But I genuinely am very excited for this new kid to play a part. Does make me wonder whether we will only bring in 1 left back and have Okeefe as a back up, with Earl also playing there if needed obviously. Earl played there for Fleetwood and did very well apparently.

 

I think we are a good side now, some good additions as you say can make us even stronger.

 

Possibly best group of players Clarke has ever had in reality, even if we are short of numbers.

 

Without doubt, mate. I think the feeling would be very different if we had another striker and left back through the door already, but I have no doubt Clarke can't wait to get started.

 

That’s two of us you’ve accused of ‘being up the clubs arse’. Why be like that towards your fellow supporters? Which club would you rather we ‘support’?

Some people see football for what it is, an hobby for a couple of hours a week, and don’t want to spend the rest of the week apportioning blame and letting it ruin their lives. I rarely miss, home and away, week in, week out, but I just can’t be arsed with the anger. I’d sooner use my energy on what I can change.

We’re not worse fans for it and shouldn’t be derided because they don’t fit with your mindset.

 

In what world is he good enough? He's got 1 senior league goal and struggled to get a kick for Scunthorpe. Standards are in the bin if he's good enough.

 

This feels like a statement made in hope rather than on the evidence we've seen so far. I hope you're right but to me it would seem pretty negligent if that's what we're going with as striking options to start the season

 

Added Craig in to a 4132 formation.
Can I get anymore yes votes in yet?

 

Still a few LWBs and strikers away for me

 

We'll undoubtedly bring in at least a couple more. Of course we're good enough to challenge, this league is turd.

 

What was Ubiques apparent insult, was it because he said some fans are in cloud cuckoo land ?.
I must admit, I've seen a heck of a lot worse than that, being posted and allowed on here (on various subjects!).
It just shows though, this debate will always go on, and the pre season is gathering a bit of pace now.