Squad comparison: our last Prem return (2005-6) and now ...

[scotnob]

Its very hard (obviously!) to make these comparisons, because other clubs keep improving their squads too.

Perhaps there should be a rule against it!

[wizzo_66]

Might as well keep the thread going - take a look at our squad after the Braga game and compare where we are to what Pardew had going into the Blackburn game.

I have a feeling that at that stage we will probably have 2 more players, a full back and a forward/winger.

[Countryboy]

I was at that game. As I remember the crowd gave the players the lift. Bubbles was heard almost as the ball hit the net.My Missus was with me and couldn't believe the positivity in the BML Well before the equaliser.
I forgot to say, excellent earlier post, countryboy.

That's completely right ... the crowd's response to being battered and going a goal down was epic and the players definitely picked up on it. As a result, the team won and we all went home feeling great ...

Something the boo-boys should remember if we go one-down against Villa on 18 August ...

And on a other note, if anyone fancies a little more Carver action ...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=sr_tc_2_0 ... B001IO9W1K

[Lancaster Hammer]

Interesting CB - I agree with everything except the forwards.

Looking at who we had at the start of that season compared to now:

Vaz Te has just had a better season than Harewood had in the championship (22 goals compared to 17).
Cole has had a better season than Zamora who was a frustrating player back then (14 goals compared to 7)
We do not have Sheringham's guile which was so important in that first season back. His equaliser in the first game against Blackburn was crucial to our confidence. However, we have to weigh against that the different system Sam plays compared to Pardew - which means that it can be argued that Nolan plays a similar role. In addition we also now have Maynard and Baldcock.

So overall, I would say we are in a marginally better position in relation to our forwards compared to then.

[wizzo_66]

Vaz Te has just had a better season than Harewood had in the championship (22 goals compared to 17).

Harewood scored 16 in the Premier League. He got 21 or 22 in the Championship if I remember correctly.

[snooperpooper]

in sam we trust

reckon he's the best guy for the job & will put us out there ready for the fight particularly away from home!

[Lancaster Hammer]

Harewood scored 16 in the Premier League. He got 21 or 22 in the Championship if I remember correctly.

No - Harewood got 17 championship goals and four in the cups.

[scotnob]

Most clubs in the Premiership now have far better squads and much more money to spend than they had a couple of years back. And the style that the better clubs use, even down to Wigan and West Brom-type clubs, has advanced a lot.

We'll need to make some very significant improvements to be competitive.

Thankfully there's still plenty of time.

I hope the money is made available, I hope we use it wisely, and above all I hope we try to learn from the other clubs that have adapted well instead of adopting the old attitudes that we're somehow innately superior and have little to learn except from our own past.

[ironsonthebrain]

Most clubs in the Premiership now have far better squads and much more money to spend than they had a couple of years back. And the style that the better clubs use, even down to Wigan and West Brom-type clubs, has advanced a lot.

We'll need to make some very significant improvements to be competitive.

Thankfully there's still plenty of time.

I hope the money is made available, I hope we use it wisely, and above all I hope we try to learn from the other clubs that have adapted well instead of adopting the old attitudes that we're somehow innately superior and have little to learn except from our own past.

Sounds about right, Sam has time to make some much needed additions to the squad but so far his signings (apart from Diame) have left me less than impressed. I felt that we would need to strengthen in all areas for this season, so far we have a weaker first choice keeper situation (an unknown and a experienced keeper who was 2nd choice at a relegated club)and we've signed a defender who for me I would only have signed if we had another season in the Championship ahead of us. We need central defensive cover - who have we got apart from Tomkins and Reid, and a quality striker cos we can't rely on Carlton's fitness to lead the line in the Premier League. As I've said there is time, but so far nothing makes me feel we won't be struggling next season.