Stronger, or weaker than May

[Gorm]

Seeing a lot of people bemoaning the "fact" we are weaker now, than when this window started.
I don't agree at all.
Our biggest issue last year, by a country mile, was scoring goals.
We have rectified that in a big way. To the panel we have added Beto, Danjuma, Chermiti and Harrison. All goal threats, all a big improvement on what we had,

CB has been weakened, ok. However, with Branthwaite coming in, and assuming we see our starting pair as him and Tarkowski, then again, I see no weakening.
Iwobi has gone and with him goes, in my opinion, very little. Bang average, and we got a nice wedge for him. Ashley Young was a very shrewd signing and covers so may spots, primarily both full back rolls.
Post international break, with most if not all players fit, our captain returning and actual goal threats on the pitch, and the bench, I see us in a much stronger position than we were.

Everyone likes to have an active deadline day. Being inactive can frustrate and annoy people and give the impression of a failed window. It's an illusion. We have certainly had a decent window and I believe the weeks and months to come, will reflect this,

UP THE F***ING TOFFEES!

 

[toffeemeister77]

GoalKeepers: Begovic has left so backup is weaker.
Defense: Mina and Cody have gone but hopefully Branthwaite becomes the man. I really worry about are fullbacks when Coleman and Young can't play.
Midfield: Only creative midfielder Iwobi has left which is a concern but I like the new wingers (although both are only on loan).
Strikers: No issue with Maupay going he was woeful and hopefully Beto is the second coming. I don't think Chermiti will play much watching him struggle against Doncaster.

 

[uglykidjoe1982]

Our best 11 is better than last season; The issue for me is depth. No cover in CM and none at CB.

We have a major issue with injuries. If we lose any of our starting 11, we’re into some serious dregs.

 

[Tony101]

I think we are stronger in attack. When all the players are back from injury will be much better. Marginally weaker in defense the starting CB’s could be better depending on how branthwaite develops but the back up is weak. Both Coedy and Mina are better than Keane and Godfrey. Full backs aren’t much different except now we have Young. Midfield is the same hopefully Onana and Garner can improve on last season.

I think we will be fine when everyone is back. shame we didn’t have Beto Harrison and McNeil from the start of the season. we could be on 6 points now with everyone in a better mood.

 

[formerly manx toffee]

Slightly better, maybe, perhaps.

really need to see how the signings do. Jury is out for me.

gana will be worse this year than last. LB no better, RB no better, GK worse, CB better, Midfield and wide …. no clue, time will tell. Up top, not sure …. I am hoping for DCL to get fit

as a squad we are worse, perhaps better first 11 slightly

 

[the golden visionary]

The iwobi creative myth needs to be swerved

 

[ToffeeTim]

Stronger in centre forward areas

Weaker everywhere else

Whether we survive will depend mainly on two things

1) Can Beto score the goals

2) Injuries - are we lucky or unlucky

You cant say we will be fine when everyone is back. A fully fit squad happens about 1 game a year for most sides

 

[blulouie]

Stronger in centre forward areas

Weaker everywhere else

Whether we survive will depend mainly on two things

1) Can Beto score the goals

2) Injuries - are we lucky or unlucky

You cant say we will be fine when everyone is back. A fully fit squad happens about 1 game a year for most sides

Don't agree Tim
Stronger Centre Forwards
Stronger in wide positions

Lost no one from Centre mid , would have liked a playmaker but that would be an upgrade not that we are weaker there that we didn't.

Another Centre half and defensive cover should have come in of course.

So we aren't weaker everywhere else.

 

[Khalekan]

Weaker IMO.

The centre back situation is scary.

 

[Terrarian]

Too early too tell. If all the new forwards click when fit, we should be in a far far better position.

 

[davek]

A whole midfield that disappears for 5/6 weeks from January.

A team with an appalling defence.

Zero points from 9 so far - and I cant see us winning one point until way after the international break.

It's an appalling window - one where the owners and board have decided to clear the decks for the Chapmpionship.

We're done for. Anyone with a reasonable level of football intelligence will realise that.

 

[nsno-chris]

Well we’ve got 2 goalkeepers on the bench today

Does that answer questions

 

[yakublue]

The iwobi creative myth needs to be swerved

I hated him as a player but you can’t deny he created the more chances for us last season than anyone else in our (admittedly terrible) team

 

[Goodisongang]

Weaker overall.

No cover at cb, one injury we have Keane or Godfrey.

4 games in and were still starting garner on the wing.

 

[ToffeeTim]

Don't agree Tim
Stronger Centre Forwards
Stronger in wide positions

Lost no one from Centre mid , would have liked a playmaker but that would be an upgrade not that we are weaker there that we didn't.

Another Centre half and defensive cover should have come in of course.

So we aren't weaker everywhere else.

Definitely weaker in defence especially numbers

Definitely weaker in nets. Begovic is better than Virginia.

Midfield is short a body. Iwobi could cover there and has left.

Out wide we basically replaced Gordon and Iwobi with Harrison and Danjuma, one a short term loan.

Up top clearly stronger.

But overall find it a difficult argument to say squad is better. At best its much of a muchness. I'd argue slightly weaker.

But standing still even means going back in this league.