Take a look at how many players we are down from last season not rocket science.
I wrote this on another thread, but it's worth putting up again.
If we are going on number of players that have left vs. number of players that have come in, then, "yes", we are weaker... but other than Henderson, we haven't lost a first team player. Certainly not a regular starter.
PL apps per player:
Henderson - 38 (0) -
Replaced by Ramsdale (maybe not as good currently, but England u/21 No.1 GK)
L. Freeman - 3 (8)
Besic - 2 (7)
Eastwood - 0
K. Freeman - 0 (2) -
Replaced by Bogle (stronger)
Zivkovic - 0 (5)
Morrison - 0 (1)
Duffy - 0
Heneghan - 0
Clarke - 0 (2)
Holmes - 0
Thomas - 0
Retsos - 0
Only players that have left us to start any games are Henderson, Mo Besic & Luke Freeman. We've replaced Henderson.
If Lowe comes in we have a player who plays LB better than Robinson and Osborn
(stronger).
Looks like we're bringing Burke in as a squad player who can play midfield, upfront, off the striker or even right back. He is a better option off the bench than Zivkovic, Morrison, Clarke, Holmes, Thomas or Kieron Freeman
(stronger).
We need a good solid CM to replace Luke Freeman and Besic in addition to a new striker. For arguments sake, Swift and Dennis (only rumours).
Our first XI is solid, it's our backup players that weren't good enough last season and we have improved the backup players in all areas of the pitch, that's without mentioning Foderingham
(stronger) over Verrips and Moore.