[Albion] Stronger or Weaker

[Bob!]

Simple question…

As we travel to face Man Utd on Sunday are we stronger or weaker as a squad when we faced them at The Amex at the end of last season?

Definitely weaker.

But I'd settle for 3-0 rather than 4-0

 

[Bra]

Our two best players gone so weaker as it stands. Time, fortunately, to correct that. I will be disappointed if the window slams shut and we are the same as today squad wise but think that unlikely. Enough to stay up anyway I think which is always the starting point.

 

[Seasider78]

I think we will miss Bissouma more than Cucurella, judging by the friendlies we are moving our best goal scoring number 10 back deeper , we weren’t exactly flush with goals last season or the season before that. Biss also used to drop back and cover defensive positions naturally when the wing backs pushed up the pitch this will all take work with another player. Time will tell I guess.

Biss never had an issue with getting in shooting positions and we all know what generally happened then so maybe this will suit MacAllister who has a shot in him

 

[Justice]

Biss never had an issue with getting in shooting positions and we all know what generally happened then so maybe this will suit MacAllister who has a shot in him

Yes I really hope Bissouma’s one thunderbolt a season isn’t against erm.

 

[forumwayseagull]

Our two best players gone so weaker as it stands. Time, fortunately, to correct that. I will be disappointed if the window slams shut and we are the same as today squad wise but think that unlikely. Enough to stay up anyway I think which is always the starting point.

Agreed. My concern is the nagging "we are happy with what we have got phrase on Aug 31st" after pocketing over 100 mill and the squad looking weak for the coming months after no significant re investment. I am all for the strategy but we do also need to replace and develop the squad. Cant sell off family Jewells and expect it to have NO impact.. Just hope we have a decent last few weeks and spend 30-40 million which would still see club for this window at being 50-60 million up..

 

[The Optimist]

We sold Ben White for £50m and got better. I think the general progression of players across the squad will balance out the losses of Bissouma and Cucurella.

 

[Justice]

Agreed. My concern is the nagging "we are happy with what we have got phrase on Aug 31st" after pocketing over 100 mill and the squad looking weak for the coming months after no significant re investment. I am all for the strategy but we do also need to replace and develop the squad. Cant sell off family Jewells and expect it to have NO impact.. Just hope we have a decent last few weeks and spend 30-40 million which would still see club for this window at being 50-60 million up..

Well Barber did say last night we don’t want to leave Graham with a weaker squad so I’m guessing a couple of new faces will arrive. Still don’t think the striker issue has been resolved tbh.

 

[Hugo Rune]

I think we are over Bissouma's departure, in my opinion the midfield now looks to be more dynamic than it was at the start of last season, with more options up front to boot! So I'd say we are stronger in that regard.

Having lost Cucurella, we are undoubtedly weaker in his position. That said I'm fairly sure Potter will combat this with a tweak in formation and maybe a tactical shift regarding our lines of attack and distribution of left sided defensive duties.

My glass is decidedly half full right now.

I’m reserving judgement until Sept 1st.

Yes, the midfield is looking good but that specialist CDM would be beneficial against Big Six sides like Spurs. I still think we might grab someone like Camara or Grillitsch.

Undav and Enciso are very similar to Maupay and Trossard. Whilst both new additions might be able to convert more chances, I like to see a completely different player come in. Someone like Kalajdzic if Maupay leaves for Fulham, Forest or Bournemouth.

In defence, my real concern is Webster and his constant injuries from last season. We had 3 centre backs seemingly ready to step up, but one has gone to Napoli and there are questions marks over the other two with Chelsea giving us a centre back to develop for them. If we don’t get a left wing back before September (which would be as shocking as it would be unlikely), we’re definitely going to be weaker than last season. A few injuries to key players and we’re in trouble.

My glass is still half full but that’s in expectation that the club will use the Biss/Cucu/+others’ fees to strengthen to a point of being stronger than last year. I believe they will.

 

[Weststander]

At this moment - weaker. My dream CM trio included both Bissouma and Caicedo. Cucurella at a stroke solved our left flank in terms of defence and pace driving us forward/opponents back. We've lost a whole load of pace.

But we have until 1st September and a lot of money to sign first teamers.

 

[Justice]

I’m reserving judgement until Sept 1st.

Yes, the midfield is looking good but that specialist CDM would be beneficial against Big Six sides like Spurs. I still think we might grab someone like Camara or Grillitsch.

Undav and Enciso are very similar to Maupay and Trossard. Whilst both new additions might be able to convert more chances, I like to see a completely different player come in. Someone like Kalajdzic if Maupay leaves for Fulham, Forest or Bournemouth.

In defence, my real concern is Webster and his constant injuries from last season. We had 3 centre backs seemingly ready to step up, but one has gone to Napoli and there are questions marks over the other two with Chelsea giving us a centre back to develop for them. If we don’t get a left wing back before September (which would be as shocking as it would be unlikely), we’re definitely going to be weaker than last season. A few injuries to key players and we’re in trouble.

My glass is still half full but that’s in expectation that the club will use the Biss/Cucu/+others’ fees to strengthen to a point of being stronger than last year. I believe they will.

Has Maupay been linked with the three clubs you have mentioned then? Also Kalajdzic has had one good season. Five goals in the Bund isn’t exactly riveting.

 

[Live by the sea]

Of course we are weaker! But it's how we are in a month's time that counts.

I don’t think we are weaker overall . Cucu is a big loss but we have more attacking options with mitoma, Undav & Encisco .

 

[Jeremiah]

Weaker but richer.

I wouldn't expect us to get anything at OT anyway . Its the rest of the season that might be worrying.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Being stronger or weaker is not just about who we sign or sell we have a fitter Danny Wellbeck, Trossard in the peak of his career, MacAllister with another year or PL experience under his belt, Caicedo ready to set the league alight and a returning Mwepu and fit again Lamptey with a full pre season behind them.

Regardless of the Cucurella sale I think we look strong again this season.

This!

 

[portslade seagull]

Weaker at the moment but there is still time to strengthen the squad. Present squad probably looking at anything between 12th and 16th come the end of the season

 

[bhanutz]

And you're happy-clapping about the revolving exit door of talent? I'd like to have some of what you're having

Revolving door... Jeez.. Sounds like you dont need any more drugs lad!

 

[Goberpiles]

Does it not make sense to bring in players early and get them into pre season rather then at the end of the window when games are underway, we have spent only more money then Bournemouth and Leicester who’s spent £0, will just have to see what happens we have sold some players for big fees.

 

[tigertim68]

Definitely weaker sold our best two players , not replaced them

 

[phoenix]

I don’t think we are weaker overall . Cucu is a big loss but we have more attacking options with mitoma, Undav & Encisco .

I'm with this weaker at back so-so midfield and deffo stronger up front.

 

[nwgull]

Definitely weaker than when we beat Man U at home, but an entire season of Caicedo in midfield is something that we didn’t get last year. I hope I’m not being over optimistic, and assuming he stays fit, but that is worth more than the 26 games Biss played last year (he missed a lot through injury, AFCON and suspension).

 

[The_Viper]

Weaker, but the window is open for another month, only 12ish% of our PL fixtures between then and now, loads of time to claw back points we might lose for going in weak.