Transfer window closed... Squad depth.

[Liaminho9]

Based on yesterdays First XI...

Henderson
Basham Egan O'Connell
Freeman Norwood Fleck Stevens
Duffy
McGoldrick Sharp

We have a decent looking Second XI, when everyone is fit...

Moore
Cranie Stearman Bryan
Baldock Coutts Lundstram Johnson
Woodburn
Washington Clarke

(Though certain players from Second XI could very well force themselves into First XI [Johnson for Stevens for example])

Not to mention:

Wright, Lafferty and a couple of younger fringe players (Norrington-Davies, Eastwood etc.)

I think we're set up pretty well for the first half of the season, with funds left for additions in January where needed.

Overall, pretty happy with the work Wilder/Knill/Prestridge/Mitchell have done this summer.

 

[Chali 2na]

We're possibly one striker light, and perhaps could get away with having one less defender.

However, considering the ownership situation, Wilder has done miraculously to assemble such a balanced side on such a underwhelming budget.

 

[Liaminho9]

We're possibly one striker light, and perhaps could get away with having one less defender.

However, considering the ownership situation, Wilder has done miraculously to assemble such a balanced side on such a underwhelming budget.

Agree, perhaps there is a free agent striker we keeping tabs on.

 

[Chali 2na]

Agree, perhaps there is a free agent striker we keeping tabs on.

I think the sort of striker we need is unlikely to be a free agent. I imagine it's a case of waiting until they're available, and making do with what we've got in the meantime.

 

[HydeParkBlade]

Can't see Johnson pushing Stevens out of the XI soon if he keeps playing like he has been.

 

[SwitchBLADE Smiles]

But I thought after letting Leonard leave, we were woefully short and desperately in need of reinforcements?

Said it before & I'll say it again, we are in a much better position as a squad this season than last. We've improved in every position including back ups and (I'm whispering this quietly) I'm fairly confident that this current side will make the play offs.

UTB

 

[Ricky]

GK: Henderson, Moore
CB: O'Connell, Egan, Basham, Stearman, Cranie, Wright, Bryan
RB/RWB: Baldock, Freeman, Cranie
LB/LWB: Stevens, Johnson, Lafferty, Bryan
CM: Fleck, Coutts, Norwood, Lundstram, Basham, Bryan
ACM: Duffy, Woodburn
RW/LW/SS: Woodburn, Johnson, Washington
CF: Clarke, Sharp, McGoldrick, Washington, Woodburn


Then one per position...


Henderson/Moore

Basham/Cranie - Egan/Stearman/Wright - O'Connell/Bryan

Baldock/Freeman - Norwood/Coutts - Fleck/Lundstram - Stevens/Johnson/Lafferty

Duffy/Woodburn

Clarke/McGoldrick - Sharp/Washington



The one concern remains that we have no one else remotely like Fleck - unsurprisingly.

 

[Joeblades1]

For striker see ched ? If he carries on in this vein we be sorted and msybe get washington johnson tied up on longer deals Promising

 

[Kevincarterversion2.0]

It's definitely a stronger squad than the one that finished the season in May. Losing Brooks aside this has been a successful window.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

We're possibly one striker light, and perhaps could get away with having one less defender.

However, considering the ownership situation, Wilder has done miraculously to assemble such a balanced side on such a underwhelming budget.

Completely second those sentiments and suggestions mate. My only negative would be letting Leonard go (aside from Brooks, obviously).

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

Almost feels like we've got too many players now.

 

[Ricky]

I'd say that Wright and Lafferty are now surplus.

 

[Chali 2na]

Completely second those sentiments and suggestions mate. My only negative would be letting Leonard go (aside from Brooks, obviously).

Losing Brooks is huge blow. In terms if day at depth, you could argue Woodburn is his replacement, but it remains to be seen if Woodburn can influence games in the same way Brooks could.

As for losing Leonard, I really couldnt give a toss. I liked him as a player and thought he was recovering well from a poor start, but he was never likely to get game time. I fail to see what he offered that we didn't already had, I also fail to see what exactly were going to miss now he's gone.

 

[Chali 2na]

I'd say that Wright and Lafferty are now surplus.

Lafferty may get the odd game from the bench, but I'd assume both will be on their way next summer.

 

[JOEYDEE]

I like the way Wilder quickly ships out players,especially ones he's signed,ie Carruthers,Evans x 2,Holmes,Leonard et al.if they're not up to it.
Can't think of another manager who would do this ,it's like admitting your mistake,and putting your hand up to it,and moving quickly on.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Whilst we're passing teams to death it doesn't matter so much but I still think we're short of game changers, someone to come on and do something different in the tight games. As per OP though, we're very well covered all over the pitch now and the good thing is, most would slot in seamlessly as well as and when required.

 

[BigBed]

We're possibly one striker light, and perhaps could get away with having one less defender.

However, considering the ownership situation, Wilder has done miraculously to assemble such a balanced side on such a underwhelming budget.

SuperChed back in Jan, no need to worry.

 

[Chali 2na]

SuperChed back in Jan, no need to worry.

If Ched stays fit, then there's a chance he could make an impact when he returns, if he's keeps his form up.

However, I don't think we can rely on this scenario, nor is it a long term answer.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Losing Brooks is huge blow. In terms if day at depth, you could argue Woodburn is his replacement, but it remains to be seen if Woodburn can influence games in the same way Brooks could.

As for losing Leonard, I really couldnt give a toss. I liked him as a player and thought he was recovering well from a poor start, but he was never likely to get game time. I fail to see what he offered that we didn't already had, I also fail to see what exactly were going to miss now he's gone.

A long way to go, but it may turn out that selling Brooks has kept the club reasonably financially sound for the immediate future, and allowed Wilder to build a better-balanced squad. On the evidence of yesterday (one game, and it can all change, etc.), and of how few games Brooks influenced last season (I know he was ill, etc.), I don't think he would have got on the pitch yesterday against Villa. The original 11 played so well, and then because we needed replacements to provide energy and solidity, in my view he would have remained on the bench. That is a big sum of money sitting on the bench for a club like United. I loved watching Brooks, and he may well have a great future ahead of him, but for the immediate future selling him could turn out well. I understand your concern, but after the last couple of games I have begun to feel it may have been for the best.

 

[Chali 2na]

A long way to go, but it may turn out that selling Brooks has kept the club reasonably financially sound for the immediate future, and allowed Wilder to build a better-balanced squad.

This probably is the case, but unfortunately it's like your mum selling your bike to pay a utility bill: it's for the greater good, but I don't feel any happier about it!

On the evidence of yesterday (one game, and it can all change, etc.), and of how few games Brooks influenced last season (I know he was ill, etc.), I don't think he would have got on the pitch yesterday against Villa. The original 11 played so well, and then because we needed replacements to provide energy and solidity, in my view he would have remained on the bench. That is a big sum of money sitting on the bench for a club like United. I loved watching Brooks, and he may well have a great future ahead of him, but for the immediate future selling him could turn out well. I understand your concern, but after the last couple of games I have begun to feel it may have been for the best.

True, yesterday he probably wouldn't have had much impact.

However, seeing how well he's playing for Bournemouth indicates that he would have been ready to influence games more often than last year.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

This probably is the case, but unfortunately it's like your mum selling your bike to pay a utility bill: it's for the greater good, but I don't feel any happier about it!



True, yesterday he probably wouldn't have had much impact.

However, seeing how well he's playing for Bournemouth indicates that he would have been ready to influence games more often than last year.

My attempt to be positive has come down to this: which is better for this season - having Brooks, or having Norwood plus several million pounds? At the moment, Norwood looks to me the better bet. My track record on predictions is not good...

 

[Chali 2na]

My attempt to be positive has come down to this: which is better for this season - having Brooks, or having Norwood plus several million pounds? At the moment, Norwood looks to me the better bet. My track record on predictions is not good...

You're right, on reflection, it's much like the Che Adams deal: sacrifice a bit-part player for a more balanced side.

 

[Bladezz]

I’m over the moon with the recruitment.

 

[georgebernardshaw]

I’m over the moon with the recruitment.

Me too - I get the feeling that CW was very concerned about the second half of last season, when a lot of established players were knackered, out on their feet almost.

This squad looks better balanced, which will allow him to rotate some of the key players, and if there is more money in the kitty come January, we should be in much better shape for the run up to Easter.

Apart from that, I’m reyt appeh, great time to be a Blade.....

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

You're right, on reflection, it's much like the Che Adams deal: sacrifice a bit-part player for a more balanced side.

And I will add that you are right in raising the Brooks transfer as an issue, as he has great potential; Adams has talents,but I don't think he has ever had the potential that Brooks has. Sacrificing Adams was no problem; sacrificing Brooks is a great pity, but might turn out for the best...

 

[Boxer Blade]

It's funny but whilst watching us play brilliant football in the last two matches and passing it around like barca, scoring 7 goals from set pieces and open play from strikers, midfielders and defenders I had completely forgotten about missing out on a striker, never learn do we, sack the board the tight bastards.

 

[SwissBlade]

We're possibly one striker light, and perhaps could get away with having one less defender.

However, considering the ownership situation, Wilder has done miraculously to assemble such a balanced side on such a underwhelming budget.

You say that we could get away with one less defender, but Bash can also cover midfield and its possible that he'll play there more, as Wilder has alluded to after signing Cranie.

Agree about strikers, though Woodburn and (i think) Johnson can also cover up top. Saying that, there is also the fella at Fleetwood banging goals in and he will be assessed in December. If he doesn't come back then i think we may try to bring in another striker

 

[Chali 2na]

You say that we could get away with one less defender, but Bash can also cover midfield and its possible that he'll play there more, as Wilder has alluded to after signing Cranie.

That is possible, and should Basham play in midfield this season, we should have just the right amount.

However, though I appreciate that Basham is better defensively than most of our current midfielders, he would have a very tricky job displacing one of them, especially once Coutts is sharp.

Agree about strikers, though Woodburn and (i think) Johnson can also cover up top. Saying that, there is also the fella at Fleetwood banging goals in and he will be assessed in December. If he doesn't come back then i think we may try to bring in another striker

Absolutely, fortunately were not in a rush for a new striker now, which gives us the ability to wait for the right one

 

[Redhead]

It’s been a long day. Cranie?

 

[Redhead]

It’s been a long day. Cranie?

FFS yes got it