Are we worried?

Looking at the squad list i think we are definitely short in some areas
Colgan
Hassell, Austin, Harban, Tonge
Reid, Atkinson
Kay, Laight
Heckingbottom, Williams
Devaney, McParland
Togwell, Wroe
Howard, Heslop
McIndoe
Hayes, Nardiello, Jarman, Joynes
Richards, Wright, Coulson,

I think an experienced keeper should be a priority whatever those at the club say. Comparing us to Warnocks lot is a joke. Im quite happy for the Dee dars to take risks like that but for us to not have a keeper on the bench is asking for trouble.
Full back- positions are full and they should do ok.
Centre backs- lack back up. Reid n Kay then who? Atkinson could break through this season but at times last year we had 3 CDs missing at the same time. Ok Hassell n Ozzy can cover but its not ideal and no real height in the defence. Must acquire a tall expereinced central defender.
Wingers-nice to see AR going for true wingers. I think the three lads will do a job for us.
Central midfield-After Togwell n Howard again who do we have? Two young lads. Again maybe one will come good but we need at least one experienced central midfielder. If Healy is fit he is an overall BETTER footballer than McPhail. At his peak only Roy Keane, Matt Holland, Lee Carsley and Mark Kinsella kept him out of the Ireland side. When he did play he comes across as an intelligent ball player. If he is fit get him signed before someone else signs him. Lets take a risk. We did for a player from Scnuthorpe why not for an international player?
Strikers-Well in the squad we have 7 strikers. How many will cut it in this league. Well personally i only have belief that this season Nads will do ok. Ive not been impressed with Jarman n Joynes when ive seen them. Richards is a grafter but not Championship level. Hayes may be more suited further back adn Tommy Wright...well. We might have got a gem in Coulson but who can tell. This leaves an injured Nardiello who i think will get us 10-15 a season. So important priority is to sign a big strong experienced striker. Teams survive this league with goals. Without new blood we wont survive this league

So overall new and experienced keeper, central defender, central midfielder and striker will see us through this season.

 

The best centrehalf at the world cup was 5' 11

 

This is true but

do you think Paul Reid is even remotely in Cannavaros league. We dont have the quality for this league. When you look at other sides strikers a)we dont have the same class of strikers and b)we dont have class defenders to deal with their strikers

 

RE: This is true but

But its hardly world cup level that we are playing at.
To be honest, we are strong enough at the back but not as strong as we could be in other positions. However we have got more than enough in the squad to compete at this level.

 

RE: This is true but

well we are just aiming to stay up... not really pushing for promotion
not that i dont want to see more signings, but we shouldnt be comparing ourselfs with the promotion candidates

 

Who do we compare ourselves to?

who do we expect to be struggling at the bottom with us?

 

RE: Who do we compare ourselves to?

Luton, Colchester,Plymouth,Stoke,southend,washday,possible that Wolves and sunderland will struggle early on and QPR are in money trouble at the moment.

 

Quite optimistic that

Realistic view.

QPR will struggle if they cant sort out their internal problems. Luton if they dont replace the couple of big players they have lost may find it tough. Colchester havent improved squad much and hopefully Washday will struggle too.
Cant see any of the others being down there for too long.
I think money talks a bit in this league and we are in a league of four or five.

With a bit of luck we might catch one or two off guard as their teams take time to gel, hopefully starting on Setdy. We need to make Oakwell a tough place to come again this season because i have a feeling we are going to get a tonking at some grounds.

 

RE: Quite optimistic that

Wolves dont have 16 senior players.
Sunderland will be interesting to see as well.

 

do we have 16 senior players?

Lookin at the squad list. Get past a first eleven or so and we lack experience all round

 

RE: do we have 16 senior players?

I say we have 15 players of that ilk
just a few have expirence at this level

 

Looking through the list again.

We have a first eleven
Colgan
Hassell
Kay
Hecky
Devaney
Togwell
Howard
McIndoe
Nads
Hayes

then
Ozzy Tonge McParland Richards

im not convinced by Wroe, Williams Jarman n Wright
The rest have barely played any league footy

Not looking good

 

RE: Looking through the list again.

we've got enough to keep our heads above water without upsetting the bank balance.
End of august hopefully three more players of a decent calibre and no stopping us.,

 

For me we need 22 squad players

at least 2 challenging for every position
We currently have squad of 25.
We have 15 players capable of giving this league a go. We have 4 players who i think will fail and leave and 7 young lads i cant comment on. Now u can maybe rely on 2 or 3 youngsters coming good but it still leaves us 4 players short

 

RE: For me we need 22 squad players

Dont need a squad of 22 senior players 18 plus half a dozen kids will be fine.

 

RE: For me we need 22 squad players

Teams we could realistically finish above:

Plymouth
Southend
Colchester
QPR
Wednesday

Finish above them and this season will have been a success.

 

RE: For me we need 22 squad players

Plymouth
Southend
Colchester
QPR
Wednesday

Think you could add Burnley to that list as well

 

RE: For me we need 22 squad players

I've omitted clubs who have spent in the hundreds of thousands for players durng the summer, e.g., Luton, Burnley - but you're right, that doesn't mean our team can't be better theirs.

 

RE: For me we need 22 squad players

possiley cardiff when they hit administration

 

RE: For me we need 22 squad players

Following on from previous postings in this thread, we used a total of 17 players last season. However, we escaped serious injuries and had few suspensions. We did run out of steam at the end of the season and finished with a return of 3 points out of the lsat 18, thus finishing off our flirtation with the play-offs (we were never THAT close in reality).

Looking at it as an outsider, I think you need to target specific teams and make Oakwell a difficult place to get anything from. Again, from our point of view last season, Dave Jones made us difficult to beat after the club had sold all our best players pre-season and we were able to pick up the odd win here and there.

There's little point in you (and us!) looking at the likes of Birmingham, West Brom etc and the many other sides in this division (who still receive parachute payments incidently) and comparing with them. We can all hope, yes, but some reality is necessary.

Anyway, best of luck in your other 44 games.