Originally Posted by Flavs
Hmm interesting this as we seem a little light, which would mean us either keeping some of the stiffs, replacing them with kids or actually buying players
GK - szhcdjhnu9eh, Fabianski, Martinez
Def - Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Djorou, Sagna, Jenkinson, Dos Santos, Gibbs
Midfield - Arteta, Wilshere, Diaby, Ramsey.Rosicky, Coquelin, Frimpong, The Ox, Lansbury, Miyachi
Forwards - RvP, Podolski, Walcott, Gervinho, Campbell (WP)
There is also Kyle bartley and Miguel for the defence, Yennaris and Henderson for the midfield and Afobe for the strikers and thats not taking into account all the random south americans we have out on loan, Pedro, Wellington, Galindo etc etc.
This is assuming we get rid of Bendtner, Vela, Denilson, Squillachi, Ju, Chamakh, Almunia, Mannone and benatyoun returns to Chavski
So...where are the gaps, do we need to improve/replace any of the positions, do you really think we are signing Podolski?
Hmmm. This is interesting.
All in all, I think this summer needs to be a ruthless one.
Yes, I think we need to be moving on the deadwood, and we need to be strengthening. I think we can actually do it without spending to much either.
Assuming RVP stays, and we buy podolski, the only areas of concern for me are midfield and defence.
Midfield: We do seem chocked full, and my money would be on Lansbury moving on, and perhaps one of Ping Pong or Le Coq or Diaby. A lot depends on whether Diaby can string some games together at the end of this season, whether Coq is content to stick it out as cover, and whether ping Pong is truly the player we need (he hasn't had any kind of consistent run, and he needs more experience to go with the boyish enthusiasm).
This is where we need to supliment it. And I would prefer us to buy a box to box midfielder. Someone who can pick out a pass, but someone who has the legs to churn out performance after performance. Not sure I want us to go after a tricky type, like Goetze (sp). I had enough of that with Fabregas and Nasri. I want us to be about pace and power, and getting the ball moving quickly, out wide, and more directly, as well as pressuring the game when we haven't got the ball.
Defence: at CB, I think we have three very good options in Merts, Kos and Verms. They can all do a job, and I think it's only having a consistent back line that will help long term. Short term is where we have the problem, when injuries occur. And I don't believe Djourou or Squilacci can be relied upon. We'll likely have to make do with one of them as last resort back up, along with Miguel. So in theory, we need to relace Squid (ideally) with another top draw CB. Vertongen (sp) would seem the ideal candidate....he's integrate very quickly in that back line.
At fullback, I'm pretty happy. If Gibbsy can stay fit, and produce the kind of performance we saw sgainst Everton, he'll go far. And Santos looks to be a good back up, with Verms who can drop in there is desperate. Sagna is a class apart right now, and for me the best RB in the league. I like Jenko, and so unless we have the hgorrendous luck of losing all our fullbacks for 2 months again, we're alright there.
Finally. We need a pedigree signing. Someone to bring us that "game winning out of nothing" card. Because to win trophies, you need those types of players. We need to find our own magic man. Maybe it's The Ox, but it may be too soon for him. However, someone with fuck-off pace would be great. It's a luxury, maybe, and AW may deem it detrimental to thr progress of Miyachi and AOC...so I'm not so sure we'll see it.
All in all, from a squad point of view. The least we should expect, is to get rid of the shit, sign Podolski, sign Vertongen and settle the midfield down, with a player who can be relied on.
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