Do we have a better squad than last year? (2 Viewers)

[Astute]

I still think we have a stronger squad now as I don't think we will be playing the new academy lads anywhere near as much unless they win a place in the team on merit. This is the barometer I would prefer to use

 

---

[dongonzalos]

Don't some people count the new 6 players from the academy for this season? They are counting last seasons squad with the academy players brought through, and also they have a years experience now. Also, have we finished bringing in players yet?

Also, how many are counting Nimely and Ollie? They were never our players, obly had them on loan in the second half of the season and also what is there to say we won't bring in loans this season?

Problem is, it so hard to count a completely unknown quantity. They have never played at this or a professional level before. So what are we counting till we see them play?

 

[degs]

Think I am happy with the defence (even if Keogh goes). However think we still need another midfielder and another striker.
Richard Wood is almost like a signing given last seasons appearances + Roy O'Donovan should be ok at this level.
In general I think we have a team that is hungrier for success and maybe they
even believe that they can be.

 

[Astute]

Problem is, it so hard to count a completely unknown quantity. They have never played at this or a professional level before. So what are we counting till we see them play?

I am not being pedantic. I am just going by the squads. Last year they were untried.

It is like being asked if you are better off financially at the start of this year or at the start of last year. You say last year because half way through last year for some unknown reason you bought a scratchcard and won 10k. But at the start of the season you didn't know you were going to win.

Or are we not doing a like for like? :thinking about:

 

[Diehard Si]

It really strikes me how much the academy bailed us out, and how well the players are doing that had to step up ( all things considering ).

If it wasn't for them we'd of been down by Xmas last year. It's refreshing to know the crop coming through again show great promise.. Willis, Roberts, Rankin and Garner will all be getting some good experience this season. Thorn certainly isn't afraid to throw them in. It's been great for their development too. It's good to know they are there once injuries and suspensions knock us out of shape.

 

[Sky Blue Kid]

Disregarding the Academy boys for a minute, the majority of players who have left, been sold, will be sold, or walked away are a proven Championship standard. We know nothing of Edjenguele, Malaga, Fleck is a Rangers reject who went to Blackpool and received a somewhat negative reaction from their fans on forums. A 8-0 mullering of a Sunday league side is nothing to go by. Until these players have "Games under the belt" you can't say this side is better than last seasons.

 

[Lord_Nampil]

Disregarding the Academy boys for a minute, the majority of players who have left, been sold, will be sold, or walked away are a proven Championship standard. We know nothing of Edjenguele, Malaga, Fleck is a Rangers reject who went to Blackpool and received a somewhat negative reaction from their fans on forums. A 8-0 mullering of a Sunday league side is nothing to go by. Until these players have "Games under the belt" you can't say this side is better than last seasons.

If you were to put Our position and Hinckley's position into perspective, its like a Premiership side playing a league 2 side, so wouldn't say it was a Sunday league team!


What we can say about this side is we have started again and are currently building for the future, let AT get his 2 forwards in and then will judge it but to me the team looks better equipped than last season, and i think thats what the posters are trying to get at!

 

[torchomatic]

Yep,I reckon.

 

[Sky Blue Kid]

Nope, Torchomatic, they are not. They are saying that this squad IS better than last season. If you give them time and games then you might be able to say they are better. Until they prove themselves, it's all supposition.:thinking about:

 

[Grendel]

Nope, Torchomatic, they are not. They are saying that this squad IS better than last season. If you give them time and games then you might be able to say they are better. Until they prove themselves, it's all supposition.:thinking about:

What is t supposition is we are 4th favourites for promotion and last season were 4th favourites to go down. So generally the squad is predicted to perform significantly better in the league we are now in.

 

[torchomatic]

Yep, I RECKON. i might be wrong, of course. Then again, you might be too. Yes, it is supposition, which is why I didn't write, "definitely".

Nope, Torchomatic, they are not. They are saying that this squad IS better than last season. If you give them time
and games then you might be able to say they are better. Until they prove themselves, it's all supposition.:thinking about:

 

[standupforcity]

We have a better attitude. Last years squad with this years team spirit wouldn't be too bad!

 

[Sky Blue Kid]

@ Torchomatic...."Yep I reckon"...To me is a answer in the affirmative.
@ Grendel....Being generally predicted to perform "significantly better in the league we are now in" Does not mean the team is better than last seasons team. We were "Predicted" to go straight back up into the Premiership when we got relegated into the Championship! What happened there then?

 

[sky blue john]

Obviously we have to sell players in the current climate to help with costs.
The academy players will be playing in the team because it puts them in the shop window.

 

[covcity4life]

overall? YES

GK-murphy-hes no westwood and started slow but seemed to get better as season went on,now will face weaker strikers-BETTER
DL-hussey-has much needed experience from last year/kilbane-finnaly cover for LB and good quality to boot - BETTER
DR-clarke/christie- both have more experience from last season which will improve them and clarke has stopped me being a hater-BETTER
DC-malaga-doubt as good as keogh - WORSE
DC-edjueguele-doubt as good as cranie - WORSE
MC-thomas(exp)kilbane,mcsheff,baker,bell,deegan all face inferior opposition this year,fleck is a new signing & possible star- BETTER
ST-cody put away some great finishs last year in injury hit season,rod comes down another level,jeffers youngsterhas potential & elliott seems like a workhorse which we have missed at cov -we have lost platt which is good for formation but also nimely who gave us pace-i will say SAME as we in a lower league now.

add to that 6-8 talented youngsters who will help keep squad number shigh(but not be relied upon like last year, possible signings of jennings and another ST and id say things are looking good.

so yeh imo overall we are better in GK,DL,DR,Midfield, worse in centre defence and pretty much same upfront.

 

[torchomatic]

What is wrong with you? Yes, it's affirmative because I "reckon" we have a better squad. I think differently to you, get over it.

@ Torchomatic...."Yep I reckon"...To me is a answer in the affirmative.

 

[Sky Blue Sheepy]

I'd say better. Far more options and more senior cover for positions than last season. Goalie has improved from early last season. Say all you want about Keogh - 90% of our goals last season were sloppy errors almost every game by the whole defense, including these 2. Midfield was so weak.last season in terms of numbers and quality and has vastly improved and we are getting more strikers hopefully. The new CBs are untested so can't judge that or not, but I think Thomas will find his form again as will Baker I hope

 

[Tad]

On paper we look better, but we'll only really know after a few games.

 

[sky blue john]

Hypothetical if your saying we have a better team squad than last year. How do you think what we have now would fair in the championship ?

 

[stupot07]

Hypothetical if your saying we have a better team squad than last year. How do you think what we have now would fair in the championship ?

The current squad would also be relegated from championship imo

 

[TommyZoom]

We'd be in a relegation fight again, if I am honest.

 

[Sky Blue Kid]

I'm only pointing out that until this squad of players get at least 10 games under their belt playing far better teams than Hinckley, will we get any sort of balance as to how good they are. Not one of the signings, apart from Kilbane can say they've had English football league experience(Fleck a handful with Blackpool.) I'm not disrespecting this squad, I'm just saying "Time will tell"
@ Torchomatic...Stop getting so touchy East End Boy! I was commenting on your reply to the WHOLE of Lord Nampil or Grendels' post....Can't remember who. Oh yeh! Get over it!

 

[PVA]

No we don't because we've lost our two best players, Keogh and Cranie.

 

[Maupet]

Yes it probably is. I predict the new freebies will have a good season so that Sisu can sell them on next summer. (if not before ). Or am i being over synical

 

[Mary_Mungo_Midge]

The current squad would also be relegated from championship imo

I am in total agreement

 

[skyblueman]

Potentially (4/5 more players needed) in a better position for League one with this squad than we were this time last year for Championship - way way too early to compare both squads at the same level