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Originally posted by Eaglecoops
Why is it that players like Tomkins, Ward and Clyne who more or less everyone thought were too old a year ago are now ok again for top class PL football? Clyne is not a left back, Mitchell has shown his fragility positionally as a defender, Richards is a good player but seems to pick up a lot of injuries as does Tomkins who is too old for this level. So when you ask how many do I want, I want a decent right back who can at leat keep up with a winger pace wise, a decent left back and a younger centre half. If you don’t think we need those players then that is your choice but I don’t agree with it. I tend to agree with the drift of what you have said. It can only be opinions, mine is that we are a decent side at full strength, but one or two injuries and we don’t have the depth to be that, so for that reason alone we could do with more in. I say decent because that’s all it is, it would take the signing of at least two quality forwards to become a really good side, we just about get bye at full back and at the moment the goalkeeper situation needs improving if Guita, isn’t going to knuckle down. So if we are ever going to become a regular top ten side the squad does need constant maintenance of its depth and improvements to quality.
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Originally posted by Eaglecoops
Why is it that players like Tomkins, Ward and Clyne who more or less everyone thought were too old a year ago are now ok again for top class PL football? Clyne is not a left back, Mitchell has shown his fragility positionally as a defender, Richards is a good player but seems to pick up a lot of injuries as does Tomkins who is too old for this level. So when you ask how many do I want, I want a decent right back who can at leat keep up with a winger pace wise, a decent left back and a younger centre half. If you don’t think we need those players then that is your choice but I don’t agree with it. I'm in agreement here. You need at least a decent first XI and then you can have players who might be able to step up here or there to complete a matchday lineup if necessary. At RB we've had two players who are exactly the same in being a bit 'past it' and therefore present as a choice between a lesser of two evils each time. I like Mitchell and am happy with him however I can see why some are not. Beyond him though we are looking for suitable options elsewhere in the squad (CBs, RBs, Schlupp, Jairo etc.) to fill a gap. We have two excellent CBs, at least in my opinion, but the two other possibilities are one player who might have understandably retired in the last two years and one who is rarely ever fit. On the wings, we have two options with one now injured and the other being used as a winger despite that not perhaps being his obvious position/performing there in a non-traditional capacity. Hence Schlupp being put out there opening game. Getting back to defence, in a perfect world I'd bring in a 'nailed on, first choice' RB and youngish, reliable back ups for both the CB and LB position or one player who can reasonably perform in both roles.
Now Zaha's got a bit of green grass ahead of him here... and finds Ambrose... not a bad effort!!!! |
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Originally posted by Eaglecoops
I think I would take Hodgson’s view that our squad is currently too thin over some of the opinions on this board. We are short at GK, CH, LB, RB, CF and wing. Apart from that everything is fine! I could not disagree with you, the win over SU whilst a great start it was still against a very poor and inexperienced side who were short on quality. Converting JUST 1/24 Shots is just not good enough and you could still see that we were struggling to clear high balls in to the box. Both our right and left backs lack pace and when they do get forward the struggle to get back quickly enough at EPL pace of play.
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Originally posted by Eaglecoops
Why is it that players like Tomkins, Ward and Clyne who more or less everyone thought were too old a year ago are now ok again for top class PL football? Clyne is not a left back, Mitchell has shown his fragility positionally as a defender, Richards is a good player but seems to pick up a lot of injuries as does Tomkins who is too old for this level. So when you ask how many do I want, I want a decent right back who can at leat keep up with a winger pace wise, a decent left back and a younger centre half. If you don’t think we need those players then that is your choice but I don’t agree with it. The reality is that we clearly don't have the money to replace all that need replacing. So the ones who are injured or next to useless (Macca and Lucca) are gone. And the ones who can jsut about do a job are still here. we are not the sort of team that can replace 6 players every window. Unless we sell BIG. Its frustrating, but we'll just have to be happy with adding 1 or 2 every window.
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Originally posted by Eaglecoops
I think I would take Hodgson’s view that our squad is currently too thin over some of the opinions on this board. We are short at GK, CH, LB, RB, CF and wing. Apart from that everything is fine! I'm content with the core of the team, the problem is (and has been) the back up - simply put, we don't have the strength in depth that is going to challenge for places. Mitchell is a clear example of this. Roy is correct.
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Originally posted by MrRobbo
Its a good point. They do develop some, but a lot also fall by the wayside. They also seam to have a few that break through, play a bit and then end up surplus (trevoh chalobah). It also feels like they never have 100% trust in anyone. e.g. Connor must have been excited about the new season this time last week, survived the chop and destined to play a bigger role. Then they spuff £170m+ 2 new CMs. And I guess that's the thing, if fit we can offer him 38 league games. If he has a bad game, he wont get dropped. And we are highly unlikely (!) to drop £100m on another left winger. As a core part of our scouting system we should be looking at all their kids and offering them a better path to first team football. With Ebs, Michael and Marc we have some great examples that this is a place where you can go from the reserves to the England squad in a season. Not merely pedantry (honest!) but is MO still eligible for the senior England squad? I know he's played for the 'young' France teams, but I'm not sure that prevents him from choosing England at senior level.
Palace since 19 August 1972. Palace 1 (Tony Taylor) Liverpool 1 (Emlyn Hughes) |
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Originally posted by southnorwoodhill
I'm content with the core of the team, the problem is (and has been) the back up - simply put, we don't have the strength in depth that is going to challenge for places. Mitchell is a clear example of this. Roy is correct.
I think a fundamental problem is that to attract good quality players you need to give them playing time and as we are not in Europe - and with Roy in charge probably not that interested in anything cup-wise - we are left with those at the fag-end of their careers or academy potential.
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Originally posted by YT
Not merely pedantry (honest!) but is MO still eligible for the senior England squad? I know he's played for the 'young' France teams, but I'm not sure that prevents him from choosing England at senior level. Unlike you YT In answer to your Q? yes he can, from what ive looked up, France U18's 2 app, U21's 7 app. He is also available to represent not only France & England, but, also Nigeria(father) & Algeria(mother). My guess? he'll choose France.
This operation, will make the 'Charge Of The Light Brigade' seem like a simple military exercise. |
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At work today I was unfortunate to encounter a Chelsea fan, and a bit of a knuckle-dragging type, at that. I kid you not, he wasn't just a bit disappointed about Olisé's decision, he was absolutely furious! He went on about it as though some heinous crime had been committed, rather than a young player deciding to stay with his current club for (basically) potentially an extra year and for an increase in pay. The sense of outrage was staggering!
Palace since 19 August 1972. Palace 1 (Tony Taylor) Liverpool 1 (Emlyn Hughes) |
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Originally posted by YT
At work today I was unfortunate to encounter a Chelsea fan, and a bit of a knuckle-dragging type, at that. I kid you not, he wasn't just a bit disappointed about Olisé's decision, he was absolutely furious! He went on about it as though some heinous crime had been committed, rather than a young player deciding to stay with his current club for (basically) potentially an extra year and for an increase in pay. The sense of outrage was staggering! He should be well happy, Chumpsea have bought up players that nobody wants, L'pool did VERY well in driving the price on, what 2-3 players . . .
This operation, will make the 'Charge Of The Light Brigade' seem like a simple military exercise. |
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Originally posted by MabbsWasKing
Maybe we should be looking at the younger Olise. The one touted at Chelsea as being the next Reece James. Imagine the Olise brothers and the Eze brothers in the same side! A commentator’s nightmare! Eze junior scored a cracker the other week. Looked just like his big brother!
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What about a standing ovation for Olise in the 7th minute, for staying at our (better) club? I'm sure Chelsea would have given him an even higher weekly salary, even if they'd only use him from the bench, when needed. This clearly shows that he considers his own development and playing time more important. Edited by Sweden Eagle (19 Aug 2023 4.21pm)
West Wickham Eagle (emigrated) |
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