Squad looks like this:

[Link]

I suspect Riedewald might stil go on loan to the Eredivisie, where the window hasn't closed yet.

There are 2 competing for RB: Ward and Kelly

4 CBs: Tomkins (curently injured), Sakho, Cahill, Dann

2 LBs (if we count Schlupp): PVA, Schlupp

4CMs: Milivojevic, Kouyate, Camarasa, McCarthy

4 offensive players centrally (as Roy likes to use Zaha there and there really aren't good options except for him): Zaha, Benteke, Jordan Ayew, Wickham

4 players remaining for the sides of the pitch: now if Andros and Schlupp are used to playing there, I can't say that these are the most usual positions for Meyer and Jimmy McArthur. They are more used to playing centrally.

But with 2 new central midfielders (Camarasa and McCarthy) coming in and Milivojevic and Kouyate still at the club, neither Meyer nor McArthur have room centrally anymore.

Even if you change formation and play a 3-4-3 or a different system (though the backline players don't seem to apply to that either), you still have too many central misfielders.

Do you guys think Macca and Meyer will be adequate the entire season in a side position or as backup for Townsend and Schlupp?

Edited by mattteo (09 Aug 2019 6.05am)

I don't think Camarasa has played more than 5 matches in his career on the wing. I don't think he can play there.

Meyer and Macca have had some success as left wing and right wing, but it remains to be seen in the long term.

The disruptive fact for the rest of the players on the pitch would be that they would deputise for Townsend and Schlupp, who are left footed players.

So, the strikers will be used to running in certain directions and spaces when the ball is at Townsend and Schlupp. They know that Townsend cuts in to the centre so the strikers might try a diagonal run towards the penalty box and they know that Schlupp is a more liniar player who will cross and will set themselves up for a cross

Having 2 right footed players like Macca and Meyer as their backups and sending them in during play (and even others like Zaha, Jordan Ayew) will mean that they will act totally opposite to Townsend and Schlupp. Meyer will be the one trying to cut inside from the left and Macca will be the liniar player.

That's disruptive for teammates.

And they can't really be moved around. Having 2 left ones (Townsend and Schlupp) and 2 right footed ones (Meyer and Jimmy Macca or Jordan Ayew) in the same position -either right midfileder or left midfielder- would have been more helpful than having one of different foot in each position.

But Schlupp can't really play as inverted winger on the right as he doesn't have the technique. Macca on the left is hard to. And Meyer on the right pretty much lacks the speed to be liniar, he's more a skillful player. Only one who can play on both sides is Townsend, both as inverted winger cutting in, dribbling and finding solutions with his technique and left winger with good crosses.

Even if Roy sends in 4 central midfielders will mean that they will strech across the pitch so 2 of them will occupy the wide positions, therefore making them wide midfielders

As a thought, could James Daly step up into the CF role. By all accounts had a good loan, albeit Kingstonian, but the lad seems to smash goals in wherever he goes.

Are there a couple of good full back prospects in the youth ranks also?

I only try an optimistic route as I just think there must be a plan b here, or a reason that the AWB money has pretty much been held back (or gone to pay stuff elsewhere). As a fan I cannot believe that SP would risk premier league survival, as that doesn’t make financial sense, so I just wonder if there’s a gem lurking at c/f and/or f/b that they feel could be the next WZ or AWB?

You over complicate the situation, 3 will play, and 2 will be on the bench

Roy is not happy, in his last interview he was complaining that we had no options with full backs, although he painted a picture of happiness yesterday, think its just a front

“That’s a joke son, I say, that’s a joke.” “Nice boy, but he’s sharp as a throw pillow.” “He’s so dumb he thinks a Mexican border pays rent” “ “Son… I say, son, some people are so narrow minded they can look through a keyhole with both eyes.”__ Forhorn Leghorn