[Albion] Which squad?

[Simster]

Which is better? This one, or the class of 2 years ago

Personally I'd say the first 11 (12 or 13) was better under Potter/De Zerbi, but the strength in depth all over the pitch now surpasses that squad.

 

[peterward]

Really good question.... makes you think for sure.

Ali Mac, Caicedo would be in it, not sure the hairbear ousts Pervis?

 

[Simster]

Really good question.... makes you think for sure.

Ali Mac, Caicedo would be in it, not sure the hairbear ousts Pervis?

I thought it was a reasonable question too, but the poll as it stands suggests otherwise.

I thought a few would say 2 years ago and put the "low" 6th place finish down to bad luck with injuries and managerial disruption.

 

[Iggle Piggle]

As you say. The old team was better. The squad is much better.

That said, we were all thinking a lad from Derby was just about to come on before half time. As ever, luck plays a part.

 

[Weststander]

The peak first XI in 2022/23. I remember a R5 MNFC where they went through every PL position, deciding Estupinan was the best LB, whilst Ferguson was unbelievable. This midfield was the finished article, as good as any in the PL except say Abu Dhabi’s at the time.

But this current squad with its depth is better imho.

 

[Guinness Boy]

Which is better? This one, or the class of 2 years ago

Personally I'd say the one the first 11 (12 or 13) was better under Potter/De Zerbi, but the strength in depth all over the pitch now surpasses that squad.

I think you’re about right. Starting midfield in the split Potter / RDZ season was better. Attacking options and bench threats better now. Defence probably similar but neither defence world beating.

 

[Simster]

The peak first XI in 2022/23. I remember a R5 MNFC where they went through every PL position, deciding Estupinan was the best LB, whilst Ferguson was unbelievable. This midfield was the finished article, as good as any in the PL except say Abu Dhabi’s at the time.

View attachment 198455

But this current squad with its depth is better imho.

How about the team that lined up and battered Man Utd 4-0 at the end of the season prior to that?

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As first XIs go, we won't see many better line up for the Albion than that.

 

[The Grockle]

We didn't have the strength in depth two years ago, our preferred 20 is much stronger now IMO.

Also, not taking away from the achievements of the 6th place team it felt like it was a weak season, lots of big teams struggled. It's almost a travesty we didn't secure CL. I think this team would have achieved top four two years ago personally.

We have an underrated and somewhat underappreciated manager and he's been backed with some real talent and even with some of the high profile departures I think there's an argument this is the strongest overall squad in our history.

 

[The Grockle]

How about the team that lined up and battered Man Utd 4-0 at the end of the season prior to that?

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As first XIs go, we won't see many better line up for the Albion than that.

That was some first 11, I'd forgotten quite how strong it was.

Our biggest problem was the gulf in class between our best 11 and our subs/second string, I think we've addressed that now and are collectively stronger as a result.

 

[Weststander]

How about the team that lined up and battered Man Utd 4-0 at the end of the season prior to that?

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As first XIs go, we won't see many better line up for the Albion than that.

Imho Estupinan 2022/23 was better than Cuckoo 2021/22. Inexplicably Estupinan’s defending deteriorated soon afterwards starting at the Amex Aug 23 versus West Ham. Defensively, with pace and power … Caicedo and Estupinan dovetailed magnificently. Mitoma’s far better and more consistent than Trossard was. Colwill and Dunk had it all as a combo.

 

[Hovegull]

Caicedo and MacAllister in todays team would be perfection

 

[Brian Munich]

Really good question.... makes you think for sure.

Ali Mac, Caicedo would be in it, not sure the hairbear ousts Pervis?

Crystal tips wasn’t part of then 22-23 team. The tosser was upgraded to Pervis in August 22 and Tony Bloom made a net gain of 45m.

 

[Brian Munich]

To answer the question, this year’s squad is definitely stronger. We were running on vapours in 2-3 games during the 2023 run in as it was. I don’t think we’ll have the same issues this year - and that’s with more injuries.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

It's gotta be the one from two years ago. I've been told on here that this one has £200m-worth of DROSS!

The strength in depth this season is phenomenal.