Worst Squad in 12 Years.

[bring the ghost on]

I think that assessment could be looked at very differently .

Baines - On the decline. Might not even be picked for the Euros. If he does, he is unlikely to play. Living off past glories.

Stones - Chelsea don't think he is worth £50 million. He has been dodgy this season and his value will drop dramatically if his form over the last 12 months continues.

Jagileka - On the decline. Past his best. Living off past glories.

Mori - Already overhyped. Might be decent but he still has a long way to go for him to be considered as good as some of our good centre back in recent years.. Lescott, Jags, Distin etc.

Coleman - A good right back. Still has time to overcome his regression under Martinez.

It's just not a very good defence. It needs a lot of improving.

That glass half-empty analysis of our defence can be summed up by saying "we have some established international players who are over 30, and Stones may have been £50m rated but has had a poor season (along with every other defender in our squad)". That doesn't equate to the worst squad in 12 years, it equates to set of very competent PL players.

And that is just looking at the defence, which you've picked out as the worst part of the squad.

 

[Groucho]

It's not the worst squad, it's a good squad.

It is however the worst organisation and leadership we've seen since Rupert Rigsby bought a boarding house.

Not for much longer, mind.

 

[bring the ghost on]

Oh sure, there is dead wood that will go. But, imo, Martinez has destroyed some terrific players. I would prefer a new bloke to have the nous to get them back to a great level, and recruit to replace the Osmans et al of the squad.

Agree with this. You don't have the likes of Stones, Jagielka, Coleman and Baines having shocking seasons just because they've suddenly all turned rubbish at football. I would wager that a new manager will bring these player back to form.

 

[tadpole]

I think a lot depends on how we judge two players in particular : Barkley and Stones.

Stones for me is still one of the most exciting defenders I've ever seen in a blue shirt. But this season, especially the second half of it, has been torrid at times for the lad. With the right management he should go on from here to become a big big star.

Barkley I think has started every league game this season ? We rely on him way too much. I know his stats look decent, but there's just too many games where he's been poor, lost us possession, not been the influence that we all want him to be. He's actually looked a better player recently when he's worn an England shirt. Clearly Barkley has more to give, but I'm losing faith in the idea that he's this dynamo kid who can help fire us into the top 4.

 

[mmmmsnouts]

Thinking of the classic "good manager makes a team 10% better, bad manager makes a team 30% worse" quote.

If you thought Everton was a 65 point team going into the season (not completely unreasonable), 30% worse is 45.5 points. Everton are at 44 with two games left.

 

[Boss_Blue]

Lukaku
Barkley
Miralles
Deulofeu
Lennon
McCarthy
Besic
Stones
Mori
Coleman
Robles

Eleven players there who are young or still have several seasons in them who I would keep in the squad.

Some of them are out of form, some are being played out of position, some are being overlooked, some just aren't arsed anymore and all have lost confidence.

There are plenty of players that could do with moving on but most weren't in anyone's starting eleven anyway or have hardly featured this season.

Add some of the talented kids coming through (hi Zat) and money to spend in the summer we should be on the cusp of something great.

We just need to bring a manager in with proven talent who can help us get there.

 

[chicoazul]

Guys just wake up. @Dymak is trying to help you here.

Come on stop being so dozy.

 

[Dymak]

That glass half-empty analysis of our defence can be summed up by saying "we have some established international players who are over 30, and Stones may have been £50m rated but has had a poor season (along with every other defender in our squad)". That doesn't equate to the worst squad in 12 years, it equates to set of very competent PL players.

And that is just looking at the defence, which you've picked out as the worst part of the squad.

Our midfield is by far the worst part of our squad.

We clearly disagree on the proficiency of our defence, but I would be interested to know how you think it compares to that of other clubs? I don't see it being in the top 8, to be honest with you.

 

[Dymak]

Guys just wake up. @Dymak is trying to help you here.

Come on stop being so dozy.

You still after that apology mate? Are we still 'close to something special here'?

 

[chicoazul]

You still after that apology mate? Are we still 'close to something special here'?

Yes mate please apologise at once.

And thank you for waking me from my great slumber.

 

[dandydan]

I'm pretty sure Del is better than Mark pembridge.

 

[ijjysmith]

Oh sure, there is dead wood that will go. But, imo, Martinez has destroyed some terrific players. I would prefer a new bloke to have the nous to get them back to a great level, and recruit to replace the Osmans et al of the squad.

I'm not sure the deadwood will go. It never has before.

 

[chicoazul]

I'm pretty sure Del is better than Mark pembridge.

No mate you missed the memo. This is the WORST squad in 12 years.

 

[bring the ghost on]

Our midfield is by far the worst part of our squad.

Agreed, wingers in particular are an issue.

We clearly disagree on the proficiency of our defence, but I would be interested to know how you think it compares to that of other clubs. I don't see it being in the top 8, to be honest with you.

Personally I think our present squad should be top 8, properly managed. Our defenders could play in several of the top 8 teams. The defence isn't beyond improvement and as you say, a few of the ageing defenders could make way for new talent, but I think a lot of the perception of our defenders as individuals are unfairly clouded by Martinez's failure to organise a defence.

 

[dandydan]

No mate you missed the memo. This is the WORST squad in 12 years.

Ah so Rom is just a poor mans Beattie?