How would we fare if we bought no-one else in?

[rnevitt]

Perhaps I'm the wrong person to be having this discussion with.

I do generally agree with what you’re saying and we do need to strengthen, but I also feel people are often guilty of vastly underrating our players and attribute our change in fortunes to this ‘feel-good’ factor rather than accepting that it might actually be a fair reflection on the ability of our players and the coaching staff.

I don’t even know if that makes sense, my head had been broke for the past week or so and I’ve been struggling to think straight.

I wouldn't want to take anything away from what kenny, the staff and players have achieved. It has been sensational.

I think we both agree that we need to strengthen, just came at it from slightly different angles!

[PTP]

exactly - whilst i am not taking anything away from kenny or the kids who have come in - but we were lucky in a sense that it was just the ideal time to try them - the fact they have come in and stepped up to the plate is just a massive bonus. It means they are getting some vital experience and game time, and most importantly confidence - it means that when we sign new players/have a full fit squad - whilst they may get limited game time....I'd much rather have four or five youngsters as back up who are confident and have played 10 first team games, rather than four or five youngsters as back up who are nervous and played 0 games.

[RedReet]

I wouldn't want to take anything away from what kenny, the staff and players have achieved. It has been sensational.

I think we both agree that we need to strengthen, just came at it from slightly different angles!

When I went back and read your post again I actually thought to myself that I generally agreed with what you were saying so why bother replying.

[Exiled_red]

exactly - whilst i am not taking anything away from kenny or the kids who have come in - but we were lucky in a sense that it was just the ideal time to try them - the fact they have come in and stepped up to the plate is just a massive bonus. It means they are getting some vital experience and game time, and most importantly confidence - it means that when we sign new players/have a full fit squad - whilst they may get limited game time....I'd much rather have four or five youngsters as back up who are confident and have played 10 first team games, rather than four or five youngsters as back up who are nervous and played 0 games.

Most kids come through because of injuries or lack of available quality in the squad, the exceptions being the kids who are incredibly talented. But that is getting away from the poin these kids now have some first team experience and have shown they are capable of performing some role in future, they still have some tough times ahead of them, the more exposure they get to the first team the more opponents will work out their strengths and try to exploit their weaknesses. The fact they have got this far is good, we know they can perform some role, how big a role or future they have will be determined over how they develop over the next few years. Obviously we need new signings in the summer which will affect their opportunities so we need to decide if they will stay as back up getting the odd game here and there or if we should loan them out for a year. My personal view would be that the likes of Flanagan and Robinson should play in the Europa League games and the early stages of the cups next season and see how they develop playing hopefully ~15 games in those competitions.

[anfieldanfield]

I think if we went into next season with the exact same squad then we'd still struggle to finish in the top 4.

[Fosterbloke]

I think we could be challenging for the top 4 if all our players were fit at the beginning of the season.

Kenny has more than one formation up his sleeve and we have cover with hungry and talented players.

After seeing what Manure have achieved this season, I genuinely believe we could sustain it throughout the season.

To be genuine title challengers I agree that we need to sort out the left side.

[saveferris]

I think we would be challenge 4th place, but probably be just outside.

If you think about this season and the fact that with Hodgson and some players out for large parts of the season i.e. Agger, Aurelio. We are 7 points behind City (although they have a game in hand). We had dire performances against Blackpool and Wolves at home which would plug most of that gap.

[Red_Polo]

5th would be a realistic target but not expectation.

[Imy]

A lot would depend on how the others strengthen. This year the league has been poor and if the other top 5/6 sides go and add players i think we'd be looking at 7th.

[Mostar]

I think if we went into next season with the exact same squad then we'd still struggle to finish in the top 4.

Right now, I'd be confident of us beating any of the current top 4 (+ Spurs) in a game, and if they all kept the same squads too then I'd say we were in with a shout for the title. But they're all going to strengthen obviously so we'd fall behind in that sense.

It's all hypothetical though as we will strengthen, and we will win the league.

I don't think we would finish 4th with the same squad. Our confidence (very fragile thing) atm is at all time high but that can easily change next year if we start the season with few losses.

Also this season the quality of the league was so poor and imo that will not be the case next year and most top teams will improve in the summer and the gap between us and them will only get wider if don't invest heavily in our squad.

If we want to genuinely challenge for top honors we need at least new LB, CB, CM (playmaker), DM and 1 wide player.

In addition, I'd like to see one more wide player and a new striker.

[kev776]

Has it?

I reckon 5th or 6th.

Still think we need a min of 5 or 6 top quality players to give us a decent chance of cracking the top 4, or possibly beyond that depending on where we are, after the new year or whatever.

Top 4 has to be the priority tho.

Wrong! first place must be the only priority.

[CJ]

i think that even due to our good run under the King over a season we wouldnt fare as well as we would hope.

As one poster said we would have had a sticky patch at some point with him in charge.

Also we all know there are weaknesses in the squad.

A couple of other points to consider

1 if we were strong enough to challenge why would we spend a lot of money? the reason we are looking to spend is to strengthen because we need to

2 last time we didnt strengthen (after finishing 2nd) we went backwards very quickly

I think our squad isnt as bad as it looked under roy no not as good as a comfy top 4 place.

[gentingfrmhell]

Dont let the current run mislead your judgement.

Our current team is not going to be good enough. Dont stay stagnant, buy 5 more players and go for the title.

[RedReet]

Dont let the current run mislead your judgement.
Our current team is not going to be good enough. Dont stay stagnant, buy 5 more players and go for the title.

Yes, just rely on your own personal opinions of the players as we all know how good they are when it comes to the likes of Spearing, Lucas, Kuyt, Johnson etc.

To be fair, we have shown that we are capable of beating anyone on our day and are capable of putting a good run together. So hypothetically if we could field our strongest 11 every weak then there is no reason why we wouldn’t be challenging with our current crop of players. We clearly do need strengthening in certain areas though which no doubt Kenny will do over the summer.

[Rudo]

Dont let the current run mislead your judgement.

Our current team is not going to be good enough. Dont stay stagnant, buy 5 more players and go for the title.