MATCHWATCH : Sheffield Wednesday (h)

[Hound]

Have we actually had a fully fit squad to choose from this year? Maybe first 2 games?

It really looks a good first 16 or so. Back 4 near as strong as any in the division. Great shield in 2 of Semedo/Laurent/Rino

And having to choose from Olise, Swift, Ejaria, Meite, Puscas, Joao as you're attacking options....wealth of options.

And some decent cover on the bench with the like of Esteves, Gibson, Aluko, Tetek plus whoever hasn't made the first 11.

Slightly torn this season between thinking we've done better than I'd ever expected, but also think the squad is as good as its been for a long long time and really should be pushing for the top 2.

[NewCorkSeth]

Have we actually had a fully fit squad to choose from this year? Maybe first 2 games?

It really looks a good first 16 or so. Back 4 near as strong as any in the division. Great shield in 2 of Semedo/Laurent/Rino

And having to choose from Olise, Swift, Ejaria, Meite, Puscas, Joao as you're attacking options....wealth of options.

And some decent cover on the bench with the like of Esteves, Gibson, Aluko, Tetek plus whoever hasn't made the first 11.

Slightly torn this season between thinking we've done better than I'd ever expected, but also think the squad is as good as its been for a long long time and really should be pushing for the top 2.

That is an interesting one. Because we have done well given the injuries but then you look at the squad and its pretty oxf*rd great. Certainly comparable to the 3 relegated teams for most positions.

But then it is the first season under the manager. Norwich have had a good manager for a few seasons, promotion experience and a very good squad so it's easy to see why they are doing well.

[Hound]

yes, not so much a criticism of the manager, as he has done a fine job. Just that this might be our best chance to go up before the likes of Richard and Olise inevitably move on

[Stranded]

yes, not so much a criticism of the manager, as he has done a fine job. Just that this might be our best chance to go up before the likes of Richard and Olise inevitably move on

If we don't it would be an interesting challenge to watch unfold - has VP actually signed anyone? Bowen brought in Laurent (and we should be thankful to him for that), Semedo was a player we'd be linked to for an age - Gibson and Esteves, those both feel like us using contacts to get them in esp. the latter and we signed no-one this winter.

So if we do fail to go up, I'd be very interested to see how VP uses a full summer and potentially some funds from a sale or two to shape the squad to fit his style more.

[Snowflake Royal]

We're one of those teams that always had good players (and a few holes), but a lot of poor mentality and talented no hopers.

We've gradually transitioned to young talent with a strong mindset and suddenly it's transformed us. And bodes very well for the future.

[NewCorkSeth]

yes, not so much a criticism of the manager, as he has done a fine job. Just that this might be our best chance to go up before the likes of Richard and Olise inevitably move on

He has done a fine job. All I mean to say is, with time like Farke has been given, he could really get this squad moving. Yes we could lose a few players but we have looked a but better on the transfer front since the Gourlay debacle. We might replace well.

[Snowflake Royal]

Much as I don't want to lose Olise, if he does go, I don't see it as a huge issue.

We still have Ejaria and Swift who can play similar positions. It funds us to bring in some players perhaps more suited to left and right forward and LB, gives more room for the likes of Tetek - Nevers? Onen, Melvin-Lambert to break through.


The core of the team will be the same. Assuming Olise and Richards both go, I don't think many others will. Then it's just some minor cosmetic surgery for Gibson, Semedo, Aluko and Baldock.

[NewCorkSeth]

Much as I don't want to lose Olise, if he does go, I don't see it as a huge issue.

We still have Ejaria and Swift who can play similar positions. It funds us to bring in some players perhaps more suited to left and right forward and LB, gives more room for the likes of Tetek - Nevers? Onen, Melvin-Lambert to break through.


The core of the team will be the same. Assuming Olise and Richards both go, I don't think many others will. Then it's just some minor cosmetic surgery for Gibson, Semedo, Aluko and Baldock.

Swift is essential to the Olise problem. If he can't stay fit or find the form we all know he is capable of then losing Olise will be a bitter blow. If not then, as you say, we are losing a valuable player with a big history that might give us the funds to improve other important positions.

We can't afford to lose both.

[URZZZZ]

Without Ejaria our tempo was so much better. The movement didn't grind to a stop.

Nah. We didn’t look very creative or played with a high tempo when they had 11 on the pitch. The pen and sending off changed the game.

Yeah, I’m not Ejaria’s biggest fan but that’s an unnecessarily harsh comment. Whilst we’ve had other games where we’ve looked strong in Ejaria’s absence, e.g. Blackburn away, we’ve also fired blanks in his absence, like the two against Preston and Stoke at home in a row

[Hound]

need to get McIntyre signed up. Been vital to us since he came back in. Be a bit shit losing Olise, McIntyre and Richards -esp 2 on basic frees

[URZZZZ]

It's a real tough call. We've got a quality squad.

There's really not a lot of difference in the defence down to Gibson, with Esteves really being the only one of the regulars I'm not really happy seeing start. And Araruna had impressed me at RB... I wonder how he is at LB - thinking next season.

At midfield, Semedo and Aluko are a little behind, with Tetek only really in the running for cameos. But that still leaves Laurent, Rinomhota, Ejaria, Swift and Olise.

I don't think the first 14 are up to the 106 standard, but I think the next 4 or 5 are way ahead of the 106 reserves. Especially in defence. And I think this is a better squad than McDermott had.

..........................Cabral
Yiadom, Morrison, McIntyre, Richards
................Rinomhota, Laurent
Meite................ Swift....................Olise
............................Joao

It's almost impossible to pick. Just look at the players I've left out. Holmes, Moore, Ejaria, Puscas, Semedo...

If we ever have our whole squad fit (unlikely I know), would be interesting to see who’s left out the match day squad as I’d guess using your team, that would leave Southwood, Esteves, Holmes, Moore, Gibson, Araruna, Semedo, Aluko, Ejaria, Baldock and Puscas as reserve

Would probably be two from Gibson/Esteves/Aluko/Baldock - although does seem a bit heavy on defensive options

[Snowball]

I have my fingers crossed behind my back here and have surrounded myself with crucifixes

but (presuming we don't go up)

should we sell Moore?

[NewCorkSeth]

I have my fingers crossed behind my back here and have surrounded myself with crucifixes

but (presuming we don't go up)

should we sell Moore?

Depends on offer.

[Snowball]

I have my fingers crossed behind my back here and have surrounded myself with crucifixes

but (presuming we don't go up)

should we sell Moore?

Depends on offer.

I was thinking of his wages

Also the two lads are ready to step up

[NewCorkSeth]

I have my fingers crossed behind my back here and have surrounded myself with crucifixes

but (presuming we don't go up)

should we sell Moore?

Depends on offer.

I was thinking of his wages

Also the two lads are ready to step up

Right but it's not just about like for like replacements is it? It's also about getting value for future investments and paying back the time and money we have already invested in Moore.

He has lots of other important qualities to consider too.

[Stranded]

I have my fingers crossed behind my back here and have surrounded myself with crucifixes

but (presuming we don't go up)

should we sell Moore?

If you were a PL club, for example, at the moment would you be more interested in Moore 28yo and say 5 or 6m fee or Tom McIntyre 22yo - out of contract and looking comfortable in 2 key positions, with plenty of time to develop.

[Snowflake Royal]

I have my fingers crossed behind my back here and have surrounded myself with crucifixes

but (presuming we don't go up)

should we sell Moore?

Depends on offer.

I was thinking of his wages

Also the two lads are ready to step up

Yes.

[Millsy]

how do tribunals work?

I'd have thought some people who know something about football and who share half a brain cell would look at richards' case and realise he's a £10mill+ player and that we should get somewhere near that, or say at least half that for the training and development given he won't sign a contract now that the munich have shown interest.

Is just like a crap token fee based on years of training at like 72p per week or something?

[Snowflake Royal]

Yes. And has been for years.

[Hound]

If he moved to a uk club we’d have got proper compensation I believe

Still below market value but a bit better