Is our squad ACTUALLY as good as people think?

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Lots of debate surrounding where people think we should be, Carrick's performance etc. but I think we have gaps in the playing squad that stop us from pushing on from playoff contenders to promotion contenders. I will caveat that by saying that I think we're working towards that position and it seems like we are getting more right off the pitch over the last couple of years compared with the years beforehand.

Dieng - last season was excellent but this season has been average for his potential ability. Looking increasingly likely that he is off anyway so we need to sign a number 1 goalkeeper. (SELL)

Brynn - impressed when he's played. Good standard for a number 2 and hopefully only going to improve so in a good position to push the number 1. (KEEP)

Glover - done ok the last few games and probably good enough to be a third choice despite his limitations so long as he's happy with that role. (KEEP)

Ayling - been really good at times and provides experience and leadership. Question marks over shelf life (KEEP)

Dijksteel - one of the success stories of the season, a player I really like but does have the odd clanger in him and is far from perfect so question marks about him being first choice (KEEP - new contract)

Smith - was brilliant until injury but due to age and nature of the injury I fear that his time is up (RELEASE)

Bangura - potentially superb and the only one of the left backs that looks capable of functioning in the same way Giles did which allows our left midfielder to invert but he's missed so many games since he signed that he looks like a total crock (KEEP and hope for the best)

Engel - really likeable and I think most fans hope that things work out for him, puts in some good games but also some shockers and looks like Championship might be a step too far for him to be consistent for a team at the top (SELL)

Borges - jury is still out with him. Looks to be better when inverting rather than providing width so his success could depend on us signing a left sided Doak kind of player (KEEP)

McCormick - looks promising from his brief appearances but there's always a lot of uncertainty around young players stepping up (KEEP)

Lenihan - looked the part last season but, as with Smith, is he going to be able to recover from this injury? He's contracted until the end of next season and I doubt we'd find a buyer given how long he has been out (KEEP - only because selling might be difficult)

Clarke - a couple of months ago he was in fine form and looked like our best defender but things seemed to have soured since then and yesterday he didn't look bothered at all. Rumours that he's not happy and wants out (SELL)

Fry - prone to criticism at times, sometimes unfairly, a good quality player for this level (KEEP)

Van Den Berg - quality player and destined for bigger and better things, has the odd mistake or poor game but is still a young kid so hardly surprising (KEEP - for as long as we can)

Edmundson - he's ok, apart from yesterday when he kept twatting simple passes out for a throw in. Bog standard Championship centre half but not our player anyway and not really done enough to warrant making the move permanent (LOAN ELAPSES)

Howson - been a brilliant player for us and still capable of putting a performance in but he can't go on forever and has been injured when we've desperately needed cover for Morris (RELEASE)

Hackney - has been on the end of a lot of criticism this season despite him having to carry the whole of the middle of the park himself. Top quality player at this level and another who we'll struggle to keep hold of (KEEP - as long as we can)

Morris - took to this league instantly and has been missed more than anyone else while he's been injured. Top quality player. (KEEP)

McCabe - looks promising and very much in the Hackney mould, would do as good a job as Barlaser as backup from what I've seen (KEEP)

Barlaser - the boo boy. Hasn't impressed when he's played, mainly due to the imbalance in the midfield pairing. Could well be a decent enough back up to Hackney but with McCabe coming through it makes more sense to use his squad space for a different kind of midfielder (SELL)

Azaz - our main creator and his goal/assist stats are best in the league. Had a quiet month compared to the previous ones but still a great player (KEEP)

Gilbert - seems to impress when coming off the bench but then not as effective when starting. Still looks like there's a player in there though. Back up to Azaz (KEEP)

McGree - on his day he's our best player, not had his day for what seems like a while (since QPR away). As fans we don't get the inside info into what may or may not be going on with him so questions about his fitness and mentality surface. Needs an adventurous left back to compliment him. (KEEP)

Burgzorg - a bit of an enigma. Has the pace and physicality to be an asset but seems to be under the required standard to nail down a place as a key player. Better than I first thought he was because at the start of the season he looked absolutely atrocious. Could be handy as backup or impact player (KEEP)

Doak - absolute superstar and we look a bit lost without him. Sadly he's not our player so will be leaving at the end of the season, if not sooner. (LOAN ELAPSES)

Hamilton - I don't know what he is. Doesn't look good on the left, doesn't look good on the right. Yesterday he took up some good positions but then did absolutely nothing with the ball. Doesn't look like he can beat a man when he has him stood up 1 on 1 (LOAN OUT)

Forss - definitely has the required quality but seems to be made of glass which is a real shame as he's popular with the fans for good reason. I'd give him another season and if it's the same pattern as this year then let his contract come to an end (KEEP - for one more season)

Latte Lath - I love him, he's class and not just for his goals but for his work-rate off the ball as well. I think we all know that he'll be gone soon, most likely within the next 19 days (SELL)

Conway - really good player at this level, good numbers and potential to develop further. (KEEP)

So from that list of 29 players there's quite a few who haven't performed to the required level to push us on towards being a top 2 team and if I was Carrick/Scott I'd be looking to replace (or having to replace) 10 players.

New keeper
Right back
Left back
2 x centre back
backup defensive midfielder
right winger (potentially 2)
left winger
centre forward

All that without someone coming in and nicking Hackney, VDB or Azaz.
 
Lots of debate surrounding where people think we should be, Carrick's performance etc. but I think we have gaps in the playing squad that stop us from pushing on from playoff contenders to promotion contenders. I will caveat that by saying that I think we're working towards that position and it seems like we are getting more right off the pitch over the last couple of years compared with the years beforehand.

Dieng - last season was excellent but this season has been average for his potential ability. Looking increasingly likely that he is off anyway so we need to sign a number 1 goalkeeper. (SELL)

Brynn - impressed when he's played. Good standard for a number 2 and hopefully only going to improve so in a good position to push the number 1. (KEEP)

Glover - done ok the last few games and probably good enough to be a third choice despite his limitations so long as he's happy with that role. (KEEP)

Ayling - been really good at times and provides experience and leadership. Question marks over shelf life (KEEP)

Dijksteel - one of the success stories of the season, a player I really like but does have the odd clanger in him and is far from perfect so question marks about him being first choice (KEEP - new contract)

Smith - was brilliant until injury but due to age and nature of the injury I fear that his time is up (RELEASE)

Bangura - potentially superb and the only one of the left backs that looks capable of functioning in the same way Giles did which allows our left midfielder to invert but he's missed so many games since he signed that he looks like a total crock (KEEP and hope for the best)

Engel - really likeable and I think most fans hope that things work out for him, puts in some good games but also some shockers and looks like Championship might be a step too far for him to be consistent for a team at the top (SELL)

Borges - jury is still out with him. Looks to be better when inverting rather than providing width so his success could depend on us signing a left sided Doak kind of player (KEEP)

McCormick - looks promising from his brief appearances but there's always a lot of uncertainty around young players stepping up (KEEP)

Lenihan - looked the part last season but, as with Smith, is he going to be able to recover from this injury? He's contracted until the end of next season and I doubt we'd find a buyer given how long he has been out (KEEP - only because selling might be difficult)

Clarke - a couple of months ago he was in fine form and looked like our best defender but things seemed to have soured since then and yesterday he didn't look bothered at all. Rumours that he's not happy and wants out (SELL)

Fry - prone to criticism at times, sometimes unfairly, a good quality player for this level (KEEP)

Van Den Berg - quality player and destined for bigger and better things, has the odd mistake or poor game but is still a young kid so hardly surprising (KEEP - for as long as we can)

Edmundson - he's ok, apart from yesterday when he kept twatting simple passes out for a throw in. Bog standard Championship centre half but not our player anyway and not really done enough to warrant making the move permanent (LOAN ELAPSES)

Howson - been a brilliant player for us and still capable of putting a performance in but he can't go on forever and has been injured when we've desperately needed cover for Morris (RELEASE)

Hackney - has been on the end of a lot of criticism this season despite him having to carry the whole of the middle of the park himself. Top quality player at this level and another who we'll struggle to keep hold of (KEEP - as long as we can)

Morris - took to this league instantly and has been missed more than anyone else while he's been injured. Top quality player. (KEEP)

McCabe - looks promising and very much in the Hackney mould, would do as good a job as Barlaser as backup from what I've seen (KEEP)

Barlaser - the boo boy. Hasn't impressed when he's played, mainly due to the imbalance in the midfield pairing. Could well be a decent enough back up to Hackney but with McCabe coming through it makes more sense to use his squad space for a different kind of midfielder (SELL)

Azaz - our main creator and his goal/assist stats are best in the league. Had a quiet month compared to the previous ones but still a great player (KEEP)

Gilbert - seems to impress when coming off the bench but then not as effective when starting. Still looks like there's a player in there though. Back up to Azaz (KEEP)

McGree - on his day he's our best player, not had his day for what seems like a while (since QPR away). As fans we don't get the inside info into what may or may not be going on with him so questions about his fitness and mentality surface. Needs an adventurous left back to compliment him. (KEEP)

Burgzorg - a bit of an enigma. Has the pace and physicality to be an asset but seems to be under the required standard to nail down a place as a key player. Better than I first thought he was because at the start of the season he looked absolutely atrocious. Could be handy as backup or impact player (KEEP)

Doak - absolute superstar and we look a bit lost without him. Sadly he's not our player so will be leaving at the end of the season, if not sooner. (LOAN ELAPSES)

Hamilton - I don't know what he is. Doesn't look good on the left, doesn't look good on the right. Yesterday he took up some good positions but then did absolutely nothing with the ball. Doesn't look like he can beat a man when he has him stood up 1 on 1 (LOAN OUT)

Forss - definitely has the required quality but seems to be made of glass which is a real shame as he's popular with the fans for good reason. I'd give him another season and if it's the same pattern as this year then let his contract come to an end (KEEP - for one more season)

Latte Lath - I love him, he's class and not just for his goals but for his work-rate off the ball as well. I think we all know that he'll be gone soon, most likely within the next 19 days (SELL)

Conway - really good player at this level, good numbers and potential to develop further. (KEEP)

So from that list of 29 players there's quite a few who haven't performed to the required level to push us on towards being a top 2 team and if I was Carrick/Scott I'd be looking to replace (or having to replace) 10 players.

New keeper
Right back
Left back
2 x centre back
backup defensive midfielder
right winger (potentially 2)
left winger
centre forward

All that without someone coming in and nicking Hackney, VDB or Azaz.
I don't want to appear overly controversial but I'd agree with all of that
 
Lots of debate surrounding where people think we should be, Carrick's performance etc. but I think we have gaps in the playing squad that stop us from pushing on from playoff contenders to promotion contenders. I will caveat that by saying that I think we're working towards that position and it seems like we are getting more right off the pitch over the last couple of years compared with the years beforehand.

Dieng - last season was excellent but this season has been average for his potential ability. Looking increasingly likely that he is off anyway so we need to sign a number 1 goalkeeper. (SELL)

Brynn - impressed when he's played. Good standard for a number 2 and hopefully only going to improve so in a good position to push the number 1. (KEEP)

Glover - done ok the last few games and probably good enough to be a third choice despite his limitations so long as he's happy with that role. (KEEP)

Ayling - been really good at times and provides experience and leadership. Question marks over shelf life (KEEP)

Dijksteel - one of the success stories of the season, a player I really like but does have the odd clanger in him and is far from perfect so question marks about him being first choice (KEEP - new contract)

Smith - was brilliant until injury but due to age and nature of the injury I fear that his time is up (RELEASE)

Bangura - potentially superb and the only one of the left backs that looks capable of functioning in the same way Giles did which allows our left midfielder to invert but he's missed so many games since he signed that he looks like a total crock (KEEP and hope for the best)

Engel - really likeable and I think most fans hope that things work out for him, puts in some good games but also some shockers and looks like Championship might be a step too far for him to be consistent for a team at the top (SELL)

Borges - jury is still out with him. Looks to be better when inverting rather than providing width so his success could depend on us signing a left sided Doak kind of player (KEEP)

McCormick - looks promising from his brief appearances but there's always a lot of uncertainty around young players stepping up (KEEP)

Lenihan - looked the part last season but, as with Smith, is he going to be able to recover from this injury? He's contracted until the end of next season and I doubt we'd find a buyer given how long he has been out (KEEP - only because selling might be difficult)

Clarke - a couple of months ago he was in fine form and looked like our best defender but things seemed to have soured since then and yesterday he didn't look bothered at all. Rumours that he's not happy and wants out (SELL)

Fry - prone to criticism at times, sometimes unfairly, a good quality player for this level (KEEP)

Van Den Berg - quality player and destined for bigger and better things, has the odd mistake or poor game but is still a young kid so hardly surprising (KEEP - for as long as we can)

Edmundson - he's ok, apart from yesterday when he kept twatting simple passes out for a throw in. Bog standard Championship centre half but not our player anyway and not really done enough to warrant making the move permanent (LOAN ELAPSES)

Howson - been a brilliant player for us and still capable of putting a performance in but he can't go on forever and has been injured when we've desperately needed cover for Morris (RELEASE)

Hackney - has been on the end of a lot of criticism this season despite him having to carry the whole of the middle of the park himself. Top quality player at this level and another who we'll struggle to keep hold of (KEEP - as long as we can)

Morris - took to this league instantly and has been missed more than anyone else while he's been injured. Top quality player. (KEEP)

McCabe - looks promising and very much in the Hackney mould, would do as good a job as Barlaser as backup from what I've seen (KEEP)

Barlaser - the boo boy. Hasn't impressed when he's played, mainly due to the imbalance in the midfield pairing. Could well be a decent enough back up to Hackney but with McCabe coming through it makes more sense to use his squad space for a different kind of midfielder (SELL)

Azaz - our main creator and his goal/assist stats are best in the league. Had a quiet month compared to the previous ones but still a great player (KEEP)

Gilbert - seems to impress when coming off the bench but then not as effective when starting. Still looks like there's a player in there though. Back up to Azaz (KEEP)

McGree - on his day he's our best player, not had his day for what seems like a while (since QPR away). As fans we don't get the inside info into what may or may not be going on with him so questions about his fitness and mentality surface. Needs an adventurous left back to compliment him. (KEEP)

Burgzorg - a bit of an enigma. Has the pace and physicality to be an asset but seems to be under the required standard to nail down a place as a key player. Better than I first thought he was because at the start of the season he looked absolutely atrocious. Could be handy as backup or impact player (KEEP)

Doak - absolute superstar and we look a bit lost without him. Sadly he's not our player so will be leaving at the end of the season, if not sooner. (LOAN ELAPSES)

Hamilton - I don't know what he is. Doesn't look good on the left, doesn't look good on the right. Yesterday he took up some good positions but then did absolutely nothing with the ball. Doesn't look like he can beat a man when he has him stood up 1 on 1 (LOAN OUT)

Forss - definitely has the required quality but seems to be made of glass which is a real shame as he's popular with the fans for good reason. I'd give him another season and if it's the same pattern as this year then let his contract come to an end (KEEP - for one more season)

Latte Lath - I love him, he's class and not just for his goals but for his work-rate off the ball as well. I think we all know that he'll be gone soon, most likely within the next 19 days (SELL)

Conway - really good player at this level, good numbers and potential to develop further. (KEEP)

So from that list of 29 players there's quite a few who haven't performed to the required level to push us on towards being a top 2 team and if I was Carrick/Scott I'd be looking to replace (or having to replace) 10 players.

New keeper
Right back
Left back
2 x centre back
backup defensive midfielder
right winger (potentially 2)
left winger
centre forward

All that without someone coming in and nicking Hackney, VDB or Azaz.
I think our likely first 11 when all are fit is more than match for all bar around three of the clubs in the league but we have three glaring holes.
Centre midfield. We need at least one primarily defensive midfielder to cover for Morris.
Left back. Partly because Carrick keeps changing what he wants in this position it's still just a mess.
GK. Dieng's level has dipped surprisingly far but Brynn looked good enough for now. However, Brynn is injured and Dieng is injured. Glover is a third-choice keeper and looks it. He's probably a middling league one keeper which isn't bad for 3rd choice in the Championship.

On the plus side.
Latte Lath, Doak and Azaz all have reasonable shouts for being the best in the league in their position.
Rav is fast becoming one of the best CBs in the league though had a bit of a ropey spell. If Fry can stay fit he's a top level Championship centre back.
Then you have Hackney, Morris and Conway who are all just below the Championship best in their position. McGree ought to be one of the best attacking midfielders in the league.
But we have a lot off-form, missing or struggling to regain form after injury.

It's not the best squad in the league but outside of Leeds, Sheffield Utd and Burnley I think we're around the best of the rest.
 
How many players do we have who have are good enough for the PL?

I’m not suggesting Champ players need to be good enough for the PL but it’s a decent measure against other clubs and how many PL players they have.
 
At the start of the season we were favourites to get promoted now we are 2 seasons off of being promoted what went wrong.
The actual football got in the way. If Dieng played the way he did last season, if Ayling, Morris, VDB, Fry, McGree, Conway didn't miss any games through injury, if Jones, Clarke, Engel didn't have personal reasons for loss of form.

If all those things didn't happen then we maybe would be in the top 2. Wasn't ever going to happen though
 
The actual football got in the way. If Dieng played the way he did last season, if Ayling, Morris, VDB, Fry, McGree, Conway didn't miss any games through injury, if Jones, Clarke, Engel didn't have personal reasons for loss of form.

If all those things didn't happen then we maybe would be in the top 2. Wasn't ever going to happen though
But that is blaming the players a good manager finds away to deal with it by changing system but that didnt happen.
 
The idea we can have a perfect squad at this level is not true.

We have a team that is competitive in the top 10. Unable to have a settled defence/midfield due to injuries.

There is only room for improvement, but the idea that we need to go back to the drawing board on half the squad is just unrealistic.

Gradually try to improve the squad each window is the way and get some growth from within. Morris and Conway were a step up from Barlaser/Howson and Coburn. Azaz was an upgrade on Crooks last January. Doak has upgraded the right side.

I keep preaching patience.

A consistent approach from Head coach and recruitment allows us to build slowly and sustainably.

Next for me is a new squad DM and a new long term starting right back.
 
The idea we can have a perfect squad at this level is not true.

We have a team that is competitive in the top 10. Unable to have a settled defence/midfield due to injuries.

There is only room for improvement, but the idea that we need to go back to the drawing board on half the squad is just unrealistic.

Gradually try to improve the squad each window is the way and get some growth from within. Morris and Conway were a step up from Barlaser/Howson and Coburn. Azaz was an upgrade on Crooks last January. Doak has upgraded the right side.

I keep preaching patience.

A consistent approach from Head coach and recruitment allows us to build slowly and sustainably.

Next for me is a new squad DM and a new long term starting right back.
I agree, and think that we are going with that approach. I did state in the reasons given that not all of those I've said to move on would be in January, some would be in the summer and some would be the following summer. A couple of them are unforseen due to injuries and a couple are loans which are temporary and accounted for.
 
MC played his full second string yesterday baring McGree who needs game time .
McGree and Mcabe apart there is no one to improve the 1st team .
We need to upgrade yesterday's team ASAP.
—————-———Brynn
—Ayling——-Fry——VDB —Bangura / Borges
————Hackney —Morris
——Doak _————Azaz——-Lathe
———————-Conway
 
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How many players do we have who have are good enough for the PL?

I’m not suggesting Champ players need to be good enough for the PL but it’s a decent measure against other clubs and how many PL players they have.
If we got promoted, I reckon at the start of next season:

Good enough as starters
Rav
Hackney
Morris (though I think I would want to upgrade one of Hackney & Morris as I would worry about them being good enough as a partnership)
[Doak if he came back]
ELL

Good enough for the bench
Dieng/Brynn
Fry
Azaz (not sure if he can hack the Premier without a lot of dirty work done by others)
McGree (if he sorts out his injuries/loss of form)
Conway
Forss if he can stay free of injury

Basically, we're looking at buying/loaning 6 plus Doak as immediate starters and another 5 to push to start from the bench.
 
At the start of the season we were favourites to get promoted now we are 2 seasons off of being promoted what went wrong.
What a load of baloney! Leeds were massive favourites in both markets (Championship outright and promotion). We were 9/1 to win the Championship on the eve of the season - I know because I backed us heavily. 1/4 odds for top 3 finish still had us at 9/4 for top 3 and around 3/1 for promotion. Given the bookies margin, we were probably given a 20% chance of promotion before a ball was kicked.

We are currently 4/1 for promotion, so our odds have drifted by a small margin, probably equivalent to a 17% chance of promotion.
 
I think our likely first 11 when all are fit is more than match for all bar around three of the clubs in the league but we have three glaring holes.
Centre midfield. We need at least one primarily defensive midfielder to cover for Morris.
Left back. Partly because Carrick keeps changing what he wants in this position it's still just a mess.
GK. Dieng's level has dipped surprisingly far but Brynn looked good enough for now. However, Brynn is injured and Dieng is injured. Glover is a third-choice keeper and looks it. He's probably a middling league one keeper which isn't bad for 3rd choice in the Championship.

On the plus side.
Latte Lath, Doak and Azaz all have reasonable shouts for being the best in the league in their position.
Rav is fast becoming one of the best CBs in the league though had a bit of a ropey spell. If Fry can stay fit he's a top level Championship centre back.
Then you have Hackney, Morris and Conway who are all just below the Championship best in their position. McGree ought to be one of the best attacking midfielders in the league.
But we have a lot off-form, missing or struggling to regain form after injury.

It's not the best squad in the league but outside of Leeds, Sheffield Utd and Burnley I think we're around the best of the rest.
Brilliant assessment
 
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I don’t understand anyone who has ever thought our team / squad should be challenging for top 2.

I always expected us to finish around 4th or 5th, and despite lots of bad luck, I still do.
 
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