Do we have the strength in depth?

[Ra Ra Rafa]

----------------Reina
--Degan---Skrtel---Agger---Dossena
-Gerrard---Alonso--Masch---Babel
-----------Keane--Torres

-----------N'Gog--Kuyt
--Yossi---Lucas---Plessis---Pennant
--Aurelio--Hyypia--Carra--Arbeloa
--------------Cavalieri


So we got strong back up or not? I say we have.

[JD]

Cavalieri appears a bit 'cavalier' for my liking.  Losing Reina would be at least a handful of goals over the course of the season IMO.

N'Gog looks like he knows where the net is should anything happen to the the other two - but then Voronin looked good last pre-season.  As for Kuyt - hardly prolific.

Centre backs - definitely sorted and even left and right backs - if we keep Finnan I feel we have adequate cover in defence.

In midfield we have 5 capable central midfielders - unfortunately our problem - which has not been addressed this summer surprisingly is down the wings.

Jermaine Pennant is a good Premiership player but he isn't a great one, or a great European footballer for that matter.  Ryan Babel still has a lot of development to go through.

It's clear to me that we do have strength in depth - in every position apart from down the wings.  If we have a downfall in the season ahead - that will be why.

[shikhark]

----------------Reina
--Degan---Skrtel---Agger---Dossena
-Gerrard---Alonso--Masch---Babel
-----------Keane--Torres

-----------N'Gog--Kuyt
--Yossi---Lucas---Plessis---Pennant
--Aurelio--Hyypia--Carra--Arbeloa
--------------Cavalieri


So we got strong back up or not? I say we have.

I cant believe you put Carra in the 2nd lineup ...

[adammac]

We have always had a deep squad for the least 2 or 3 years, our problem is quality players in the first XI. I think if you can add quality to the first XI then the trickle down effect will mean better depth (especially in those wide attacking position)

[Ra Ra Rafa]

The thing is, does our first XI need improving now? Or would you give it a shot this season with that IX ?
I'm happy about our 2nd team because we also have good youths coming in like Nemeth, Pacheco and Insua.

I just hope the we have a first team and a second team rather than one big squad to be rotated to death. Oh I forgot Voronin instead of N'Gog :S

[Magillionare]

Im sure we have the strength and depth to at least challenge! Im under no ilusions this year, im happy with a title run to be honest at least its progress

[bartman49]

We have the a team full of quality and in my opinion the best team we have had since Souness ripped up Kenny's team in the early nineties weather we can take the next step is another matter but at least we have people on the bench who have done it all and so with a little luck and good play we have a real chance to win things this coming season...

[clint_call01]

We have a good squad but ra ra why did you put carra. in the second sqaud ? I would put him rb to keep skrtel and agger together. Our problems like many of us said is the wings. if we buy a proper winger or a player that play good in the side it will be better.

[dunlop_liddell_shankly]

We've got a great startin line up with enough quality to come of the bench. After that we've still got talent, most of it raw an untried. We're all under the impression we don't have out and out world star wingers, well maybe we're just gonna play through the middle, with the hope our full backs provide the width. It seems to me that Benitez is happy with accomaditin the wing position with somebody who isn't naturally a winger. That's fair enough if they can do a job there, Gerrard and Babel can so I'm happy with those two down the flanks. Especially if we use this 4-2-3-1 formation where the 3 behind Torres are interchangeable so we won't have one winger. If for example we bought Wright-Phillips or Ashley Young, are they capable of playin behind Torres? Gerrard and Babel can and I think that's the way Benitez is goin.

If Benitez felt we were desperate for a Wright-Phillips or Young type winger then we'd of got one. We've had the money to buy one if we were really desperate. Also this is the first year I haven't heard Benitez come out and talk about our lack of options down the wings. So just because we're not blessed with a Steve Heighway or John Barnes anymore isn't a problem if we're not gonna play to those strenghts anyway. Another point is Torres is good in the air, no doubt about that, but he's not Alan Shearer or Andy Gray where he's gonna knock centre halves out the way to win a header. We've just sold the man we aim our crosses to (Crouch) so now we'd just be throwin aimless balls into the box because Torres, Keane and Babel aren't exactly the most prolific in the air. So this year I'm not as worried we about our lack of top class quality down the flanks.