AFC-Phil
Established Member
It's that time of the year again, the season is over.
Yet again we have fallen away towards the end of the season as the pressure grew to get results, so there are obviously some problems that need addressing.
Away from your opinions of our manager, what do you think of our squad?
Who is/isn't good enough? Who isn't reliable enough? Who is on their last chance saloon?
Analyse our squad in a 4231/433 formation. (Don't mention the same player in more than one position, otherwise we'll get a false impression due to false depth)
I'll start it off:
Goalkeeper
Almunia
Szczesny
Mannone
Fabianski
Analysis - Almunia has shown time and again that he is not good enough, and that he needs to be moved on. Szczesny and Fabianski have both proved their worth this season and rightfully will be our No.1 and No.2 next season. Mannone had a decent loan spell and has shown enough to at least be a member of the squad.
Goalkeeper's Verdict - Get rid of Almunia, and keep the other 3.
Right Back
Jenkinson
Sagna
Eboue
Analysis - Nothing wrong here, we have 3 solid options at RB that give us a good variety.
Centre Back
Bartley
Vermaelen
Squillaci
Koscielny
Miquel
Djourou
Analysis - Squillaci needs to be moved on, he can't play with Koscielny without our defence falling apart, and individually he's decent at best. Djourou, Vermaelen and Koscielny have proven themselves to at least be worth a place in our squad with their form this season or last season. A replacement will be required for Squillaci, to get us back up to 4 senior CBs. Bartley/Miquel will make a good emergency CB whilst the other could get a chance on loan. (Or even both, with the option to recall one in the event of an injury crisis)
Left Back
Gibbs
Traore
Clichy
Pedro
Analysis - It's time for Clichy to go, as he simply can't contribute enough going forward, and for a team with 60+% possession it's criminal. A replacement must be signed, as our other options aren't good/reliable enough. Gibbs has shown enough potential to remain as our back-up LB, and with a spell without injuries, I can see him having a big part to play next season. Seeing as Pedro is going out on loan, Traore should be kept around as depth when an injury strikes one of our LBs. (Gibbs)
Defence's Verdict - Sell Squillaci and Clichy. Sign a new LB and CB.
Defensive Midfielder
Frimpong
Song
Coquelin
Analysis - One more is definitely needed here. Ideally Song would be a back-up option to a new signing. Frimpong looks likely to go out on loan, and Coquelin may be loaned out too.
Central Midfielder
Denilson
Fabregas
Rosicky
Ramsey
Lansbury
Diaby
Wilshere
Analysis - I think I speak for almost all of us when I want Denilson and Diaby to leave. Fabregas and Wilshere have both proven themselves to be first choice in midfield next season. Ramsey and Lansbury would make good back-ups when Cesc/Jack get injuries/suspensions/rested, i'm still undecided about Rosicky because we may need him if Lansbury struggles.
Midfield's Verdict - Move Denilson and Diaby out. I'm undecided with Rosicky. Get a new DM.
Wing Forward
Arshavin
Walcott
Vela
Nasri
Analysis - Arshavin has shown himself to be a liability both defensively (With his lack of work-rate) and offensively. (with constant careless passes that breaks down our attacks) So i'd ship him out and replace him with a new LWF. Let the new signing, Walcott and Nasri play for the right to be on the pitch, and keep Vela in reserve in the event of injuries.
Centre Forward
Bendtner
Van Persie
Chamakh
Analysis - It seems that Bendtner is leaving, so we'll need a dependable option (Injury-wise) brought in to compete with Chamakh. Van Persie is clearly first choice, so nothing more needs to be said.
Forward's Verdict - Ship Bendtner out and bring a replacement in.
Overall, in an ideal world i'd want a CB, LB, DM, LWF and CF brought in, but in a realistic world, i'd be happy with 3 in. (LB, DM and LWF)
The likes of Almunia, Squillaci, Denilson and Diaby must be shown the door, in my opinion. Ideally, Clichy, Bendtner, Arshavin and possibly Rosicky would too, but that's unlikely to happen, so i'd settle for the first 4.
Yet again we have fallen away towards the end of the season as the pressure grew to get results, so there are obviously some problems that need addressing.
Away from your opinions of our manager, what do you think of our squad?
Who is/isn't good enough? Who isn't reliable enough? Who is on their last chance saloon?
Analyse our squad in a 4231/433 formation. (Don't mention the same player in more than one position, otherwise we'll get a false impression due to false depth)
I'll start it off:
Goalkeeper
Almunia
Szczesny
Mannone
Fabianski
Analysis - Almunia has shown time and again that he is not good enough, and that he needs to be moved on. Szczesny and Fabianski have both proved their worth this season and rightfully will be our No.1 and No.2 next season. Mannone had a decent loan spell and has shown enough to at least be a member of the squad.
Goalkeeper's Verdict - Get rid of Almunia, and keep the other 3.
Right Back
Jenkinson
Sagna
Eboue
Analysis - Nothing wrong here, we have 3 solid options at RB that give us a good variety.
Centre Back
Bartley
Vermaelen
Squillaci
Koscielny
Miquel
Djourou
Analysis - Squillaci needs to be moved on, he can't play with Koscielny without our defence falling apart, and individually he's decent at best. Djourou, Vermaelen and Koscielny have proven themselves to at least be worth a place in our squad with their form this season or last season. A replacement will be required for Squillaci, to get us back up to 4 senior CBs. Bartley/Miquel will make a good emergency CB whilst the other could get a chance on loan. (Or even both, with the option to recall one in the event of an injury crisis)
Left Back
Gibbs
Traore
Clichy
Pedro
Analysis - It's time for Clichy to go, as he simply can't contribute enough going forward, and for a team with 60+% possession it's criminal. A replacement must be signed, as our other options aren't good/reliable enough. Gibbs has shown enough potential to remain as our back-up LB, and with a spell without injuries, I can see him having a big part to play next season. Seeing as Pedro is going out on loan, Traore should be kept around as depth when an injury strikes one of our LBs. (Gibbs)
Defence's Verdict - Sell Squillaci and Clichy. Sign a new LB and CB.
Defensive Midfielder
Frimpong
Song
Coquelin
Analysis - One more is definitely needed here. Ideally Song would be a back-up option to a new signing. Frimpong looks likely to go out on loan, and Coquelin may be loaned out too.
Central Midfielder
Denilson
Fabregas
Rosicky
Ramsey
Lansbury
Diaby
Wilshere
Analysis - I think I speak for almost all of us when I want Denilson and Diaby to leave. Fabregas and Wilshere have both proven themselves to be first choice in midfield next season. Ramsey and Lansbury would make good back-ups when Cesc/Jack get injuries/suspensions/rested, i'm still undecided about Rosicky because we may need him if Lansbury struggles.
Midfield's Verdict - Move Denilson and Diaby out. I'm undecided with Rosicky. Get a new DM.
Wing Forward
Arshavin
Walcott
Vela
Nasri
Analysis - Arshavin has shown himself to be a liability both defensively (With his lack of work-rate) and offensively. (with constant careless passes that breaks down our attacks) So i'd ship him out and replace him with a new LWF. Let the new signing, Walcott and Nasri play for the right to be on the pitch, and keep Vela in reserve in the event of injuries.
Centre Forward
Bendtner
Van Persie
Chamakh
Analysis - It seems that Bendtner is leaving, so we'll need a dependable option (Injury-wise) brought in to compete with Chamakh. Van Persie is clearly first choice, so nothing more needs to be said.
Forward's Verdict - Ship Bendtner out and bring a replacement in.
Overall, in an ideal world i'd want a CB, LB, DM, LWF and CF brought in, but in a realistic world, i'd be happy with 3 in. (LB, DM and LWF)
The likes of Almunia, Squillaci, Denilson and Diaby must be shown the door, in my opinion. Ideally, Clichy, Bendtner, Arshavin and possibly Rosicky would too, but that's unlikely to happen, so i'd settle for the first 4.