Squad depth

[Chali 2na]

While it might be a tiny bit of an over simplification, I don't think it's entirely unfair to say that Paul Coutts injury last season derailed our promotion bid. Neither John Lundstram or Lee Evans managed to come close to showing the ability Coutts did, try as they might.

I think Wilder clearly recognised this, and last night was the perfect example of how far we've come: At one point tonight we were playing with an entirely new back 5 combination.

Freeman, Cranie, Stearman, Stevens (out of position) & Johnson isn't the 5 you'd start if everyone was fit, but those players proved their worth to the squad regardless.

This is true across the pitch: Coutts is now deputy to Norwood, Dowell looks a good option in the number 10 role and I wouldn't be worried with any combination of Sharp, McGoldrick, Madine and Hogan up top.

The one area that isn't entirely covered is Fleck, though I think a combination of Dowell or Basham, depending on the opposition, would fill the gap.

It's mind blowing that Wilder can not only assemble a strong 11 but a strong squad too on a budget that could best be described as modest. It's testament to the incredible job he's done.

 

[norfolkblade]

Agree entirely.

Also a very good point made on Sky last night (although one we are no doubt aware of already), after last season Wilder strengthened the spine of the team with Hendo, Egan and Norwood and further strengthened in January with Hogan and Madine. This in turn has left our stronger players from last season as backups I.e. Coutts, Stearman.

These are going to be looked back on as some of the greatest days in our history and I'm thoroughly enjoying the ride!

 

[Chali 2na]

Agree entirely.

Also a very good point made on Sky last night (although one we are no doubt aware of already), after last season Wilder strengthened the spine of the team with Hendo, Egan and Norwood and further strengthened in January with Hogan and Madine. This in turn has left our stronger players from last season as backups I.e. Coutts, Stearman.

These are going to be looked back on as some of the greatest days in our history and I'm thoroughly enjoying the ride!

Agreed: If I had to pick the biggest difference between this season and last season, beyond depth, I would say the arrival of Egan.

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

Agreed: If I had to pick the biggest difference between this season and last season, beyond depth, I would say the arrival of Egan.

.....and Billy Sharp continuing to score. Last season from the game after Burton in November to the end of the season, 29 games, he scored 5 goals. This season, since the same point until now, 17 games, he's scored 12 goals.

 

[Chali 2na]

.....and Billy Sharp continuing to score. Last season from the game after Burton in November to the end of the season, 29 games, he scored 5 goals. This season, since the same point until now, 17 games, he's scored 12 goals.

Good point, Billy's form shouldn't be overlooked.

 

[Deadly_D'Jaffo]

While it might be a tiny bit of an over simplification, I don't think it's entirely unfair to say that Paul Coutts injury last season derailed our promotion bid. Neither John Lundstram or Lee Evans managed to come close to showing the ability Coutts did, try as they might.

I think Wilder clearly recognised this, and last night was the perfect example of how far we've come: At one point tonight we were playing with an entirely new back 5 combination.

Freeman, Cranie, Stearman, Stevens (out of position) & Johnson isn't the 5 you'd start if everyone was fit, but those players proved their worth to the squad regardless.

This is true across the pitch: Coutts is now deputy to Norwood, Dowell looks a good option in the number 10 role and I wouldn't be worried with any combination of Sharp, McGoldrick, Madine and Hogan up top.

The one area that isn't entirely covered is Fleck, though I think a combination of Dowell or Basham, depending on the opposition, would fill the gap.

It's mind blowing that Wilder can not only assemble a strong 11 but a strong squad too on a budget that could best be described as modest. It's testament to the incredible job he's done.

100% nail on the head.

If you'd have told me this time last year, knowing the bollocks going on in the boardroom, that we would lose Brooksy and Couttsy wouldn't be a starter next season then I would have been looking at a 50 point haul as another remarkable Wilder achievement.

Signings of Henderson, Egan, Cranie, Norwood, Dowell, McGoldrick and recently Madine have proved to be masterstrokes.

In Wilder We Trust (IWWT to add to GLTTL?)