[Albion] 25 Man Squad [2021 Edition]

[Sarisbury Seagull]

So........

Why has NSC suddenly created a "thing" that if we don't have a named 25-man squad, we're suddenly light of players? It's a complete myth.

I just took a look at the PL squads named this time last year: only 7 of the 20 clubs actually named a full 25 players. 6 clubs named 21 players or fewer, and 2 (Leeds and Wolves) named only 18 (18!).

Albion named 24 (which also happened to include Crofts, so effectively 23). And yet we still CLEARLY had a first-team squad that was too large, with far too many players who were not likely to feature at all regularly.

And that isn't to even mention the younger talents who are pushing for game time who don't get named in the squad as they are still classified as U-21s; Connolly, Lamptey, Moder and Zeqiri all fell into that category last season.

The key objective for Albion this summer was to seriously trim the squad, and from where I'm sitting I think they have done that extremely effectively.

Spot on. Great, factual post as ever. [emoji106]

 

[albionalex]

I would much rather we have a smaller 25 man squad and give opportunities to the likes of Leonard, Tsoungui and Richards than have a bigger squad with players like Ali J and Tau.

 

[Machiavelli]

So........

Why has NSC suddenly created a "thing" that if we don't have a named 25-man squad, we're suddenly light of players? It's a complete myth.

I just took a look at the PL squads named this time last year: only 7 of the 20 clubs actually named a full 25 players. 6 clubs named 21 players or fewer, and 2 (Leeds and Wolves) named only 18 (18!).

Albion named 24 (which also happened to include Crofts, so effectively 23). And yet we still CLEARLY had a first-team squad that was too large, with far too many players who were not likely to feature at all regularly.

And that isn't to even mention the younger talents who are pushing for game time who don't get named in the squad as they are still classified as U-21s; Connolly, Lamptey, Moder and Zeqiri all fell into that category last season.

The key objective for Albion this summer was to seriously trim the squad, and from where I'm sitting I think they have done that extremely effectively.

Top post again AZ.

 

[Swansman]

So........

Why has NSC suddenly created a "thing" that if we don't have a named 25-man squad, we're suddenly light of players? It's a complete myth.

I just took a look at the PL squads named this time last year: only 7 of the 20 clubs actually named a full 25 players. 6 clubs named 21 players or fewer, and 2 (Leeds and Wolves) named only 18 (18!).

Albion named 24 (which also happened to include Crofts, so effectively 23). And yet we still CLEARLY had a first-team squad that was too large, with far too many players who were not likely to feature at all regularly.

And that isn't to even mention the younger talents who are pushing for game time who don't get named in the squad as they are still classified as U-21s; Connolly, Lamptey, Moder and Zeqiri all fell into that category last season.

The key objective for Albion this summer was to seriously trim the squad, and from where I'm sitting I think they have done that extremely effectively.

Indeed, agree with every word.

There are plenty of players available for every position.

Defensively:

GK - Sanchez, Scherpen, Steele

LB/LWB - March, Burn, Cucurella
CB - Dunk, Duffy, Webster, Veltman, Roberts
RB/RWB - Lamptey, Veltman, Gross, Alzate

No need to mention central midfield I guess so moving on.

In attack, with one CF and two players either on the wings or in free AMC roles as in the last game:

Wings/AMC: Trossard, March, Lamptey, Macallister, Richards, Lallana, Welbeck, Gross, Moder and Mwepu (?)

CF: Maupay, Welbeck, Connolly, Trossard.

Tough look if all 4 up front gets injured but that would go for any club. Its tough if all the 3 keepers get injured as well.

And then there is obviously the U23s as well and it cant be ruled out that some of them will play a bit this season... which is good stuff.

But people always want shiny new toys. Do I think it would look even better with an additional striker? Yes, but its a luxuary problem.

 

[b.w.2.]

Spot on. Great, factual post as ever. [emoji106]

My best exit guesses:

Walton, Duffy, Locadia - expect we want to sell

Van Hecke, Roberts, Richards, Connolly - expect we want to loan out

Baluta, Molumby - unsure if loan out or sell


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But missing out on strengthening the one position we need to strengthen. Unless something happens out of the blue in the next few hours of course!


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[b.w.2.]

Indeed, agree with every word.

There are plenty of players available for every position.

Defensively:

GK - Sanchez, Scherpen, Steele

LB/LWB - March, Burn, Cucurella
CB - Dunk, Duffy, Webster, Veltman, Roberts
RB/RWB - Lamptey, Veltman, Gross, Alzate

No need to mention central midfield I guess so moving on.

In attack, with one CF and two players either on the wings or in free AMC roles as in the last game:

Wings/AMC: Trossard, March, Lamptey, Macallister, Richards, Lallana, Welbeck, Gross, Moder and Mwepu (?)

CF: Maupay, Welbeck, Connolly, Trossard.

Tough look if all 4 up front gets injured but that would go for any club. Its tough if all the 3 keepers get injured as well.

And then there is obviously the U23s as well and it cant be ruled out that some of them will play a bit this season... which is good stuff.

But people always want shiny new toys. Do I think it would look even better with an additional striker? Yes, but its a luxuary problem.

No it’s a real problem


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[One Love]

Indeed, agree with every word.

There are plenty of players available for every position.

Defensively:

GK - Sanchez, Scherpen, Steele

LB/LWB - March, Burn, Cucurella
CB - Dunk, Duffy, Webster, Veltman, Roberts
RB/RWB - Lamptey, Veltman, Gross, Alzate

No need to mention central midfield I guess so moving on.

In attack, with one CF and two players either on the wings or in free AMC roles as in the last game:

Wings/AMC: Trossard, March, Lamptey, Macallister, Richards, Lallana, Welbeck, Gross, Moder and Mwepu (?)

CF: Maupay, Welbeck, Connolly, Trossard.

Tough look if all 4 up front gets injured but that would go for any club. Its tough if all the 3 keepers get injured as well.

And then there is obviously the U23s as well and it cant be ruled out that some of them will play a bit this season... which is good stuff.

But people always want shiny new toys. Do I think it would look even better with an additional striker? Yes, but its a luxuary problem.

Unfortunately that all falls apart when you have no Maupay and Welbeck which happened for the whole second half against Watford.

Fortunately we were 2-0 up and we could afford to shut up shop against the poorest side I've seen at the Amex in the Premier League.

 

[Perkino]

14 names from post 1 have left, that is a massive clear out and a successful window

 

[Machiavelli]

Sima In and Out.

1. Sanchez ( HGP )
2. Steele ( HGP )
U21. Scherpen
U21. Lamptey
3. March ( HGP )
4. Cucurella
5. Veltman
6. Burn ( HGP )
7. Webster ( HGP )
8. Dunk ( HGP )
9. Duffy ( HGP )
U21. Roberts
10. Băluţa
11. Mwepu
12. Bissouma
13. Moder
U21. Caicedo
14. Alzate ( HGP )
15. Lallana ( HGP )
16. Groß
17. Mac Allister
U21. Richards
18. Trossard
19. Maupay
20. Welbeck ( HGP )
U21. Connolly
21. Locadia

Loanees: Jenks (Aberdeen), Cochrane (Hearts), Longman (Hull City), Weir (Cambridge United), Clarke (WBA), Rushworth (Walsall), Arce (LDU Quito), Mitoma (USG), Østigård (Stoke City), Andone (Cadiz)*, Molumby (WBA)*, Karbownik (Olympiacos)*, Van Hecke (Blackburn), Zeqiri (FC Augsburg), Walton (Ipswich), Khadra (Blackburn) , Sima (Stoke)

* Loan to buy option

So, that's 17 out on loan.
If we discount Locadia and Baluta (assumptions, granted), that's 19 that need to be named, and a further 6 u21s, making it a first team squad of 25 with perhaps the potential for one or two from the DS to supplement things.

 

[The Fits]

I would much rather we have a smaller 25 man squad and give opportunities to the likes of Leonard, Tsoungui and Richards than have a bigger squad with players like Ali J and Tau.

Totally agree with this.
We are investing hugely in our younger players. I want them to get a chance.

 

[The Fits]

So, that's 17 out on loan.
If we discount Locadia and Baluta (assumptions, granted), that's 19 that need to be named, and a further 6 u21s, making it a first team squad of 25 with perhaps the potential for one or two from the DS to supplement things.

Where is Tudor Baluta?

 

[Machiavelli]

Where is Tudor Baluta?

[MENTION=23795]Hugo Rune[/MENTION] might be able to confirm or deny whether he's the third man

 

[Hugo Rune]

[MENTION=23795]Hugo Rune[/MENTION] might be able to confirm or deny whether he's the third man

Ok, ok, alright.

Mock Tudor has actually been exposed as the Romanian Carlos Kaiser. The club want this kept quiet so I’ve probably put my foot in it. Luckily he’s been found out before he has earned yet another loan. Very embarrassing for the club but the lesson has apparently been learned.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Kaiser_(footballer)

 

[GT49er]

So, that's 17 out on loan.
If we discount Locadia and Baluta (assumptions, granted), that's 19 that need to be named, and a further 6 u21s, making it a first team squad of 25 with perhaps the potential for one or two from the DS to supplement things.

Open to some debate, I admit, but as he's on the books we may have to name Gary Dicker in the 25 as well. Not that that's a problem.

 

[GT49er]

Where is Tudor Baluta?

Ah . well, yes. Since you ask .................

'He' is either a tiny unpopulated atoll in the Andemon Islands, or a fictional front for Tony Bloom's gargantuan Eastern European money laundering scam. You choose.





But don't let on I told you ................................

 

[dwayne]

Caciedo gone now as well. Very dispiriting. Squad suddenly feels paper thin.

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[Papa Lazarou]

Post deleted

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

Caicedo out on loan.

1. Sanchez ( HGP )
2. Steele ( HGP )
U21. Scherpen
U21. Lamptey
3. March ( HGP )
4. Cucurella
5. Veltman
6. Burn ( HGP )
7. Webster ( HGP )
8. Dunk ( HGP )
9. Duffy ( HGP )
U21. Roberts
10. Băluţa
11. Mwepu
12. Bissouma
13. Moder
14. Alzate ( HGP )
15. Lallana ( HGP )
16. Groß
17. Mac Allister
U21. Richards
18. Trossard
19. Maupay
20. Welbeck ( HGP )
U21. Connolly
21. Locadia

Loanees: Jenks (Aberdeen), Cochrane (Hearts), Longman (Hull City), Weir (Cambridge United), Clarke (WBA), Rushworth (Walsall), Arce (LDU Quito), Mitoma (USG), Østigård (Stoke City), Andone (Cadiz)*, Molumby (WBA)*, Karbownik (Olympiacos)*, Van Hecke (Blackburn), Zeqiri (FC Augsburg), Walton (Ipswich), Khadra (Blackburn) , Sima (Stoke City), Caicedo ( Beerschot)

* Loan to buy option

 

[dwayne]

So I'm guessing the teams gonna be strong for the league cup now ? Or will we just play a load of kids?

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[Ethelwulf]

So I'm guessing the teams gonna be strong for the league cup now ? Or will we just play a load of kids?

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He will play the kids like he did v Villa a few years back. I do not understand what the club are doing this transfer window. Hope they prove me wrong