View on our squad from a Man U fan (stolen from Red Cafe)

[RJ1882]

I cant argue with much of this. Except that I think Kaboul is quite good, possibly the future with Dawson (or GAry Cahill). And Sandro doesnt get a mention, who today again was top drawer.

I disagree jd.

They'll need at least one good striker (Pavluychenko is horrid. Crouch and Defoe aren't brilliant at all but could be competent backups, especially if Redknapp is persisting with one up front with Van Der Vaart behind).

They need a more mobile option to partner Modric in the middle than Huddlestone (even if not to partner him all the time they at least need better players in this area than Jenas and Palacios). Possibly somewhere for Scott Parker to go after West Ham fuck off down the leagues?

Bale and Lennon are two very good wide players but they've got no one behind them that Redknapp seems to have any faith in whatsoever (they've got Krankjar and Bentley who will both probably leave at the end of the season. Beyond that... well they were playing Jenas on the left against Madrid

)

Asou-Ekotto actually seems to be to be quite a competent left back (I know that a lot of people were getting on his back towards the end of last season and the beginning of this one), and Dawson and Gallas are decent centre halves. They can't rely on King anymore and Kaboul isn't that hot, especially at right back. Spurs can do better than Corluka and Hutton in that area.

And Gomes.

So basically a decent first XI needing a new striker, right back and keeper. Beyond that though they've not got a lot going for their squad...

 

[beats1]

IMO we have a brilliant midfield that I wouldn't swap with anyone and not at their prime other than jenas and VDV

IF MAN UTD had our midfield they would be alot better than they are now

 

[Rout-Ledge]

IF MAN UTD had our midfield they would be alot better than they are now

If true that says a lot about our defence, goalkeeper, strikers and manager considering they cruised to the CL final and are looking to win the title.

 

[RJ1882]

Our midfield 5 at the start of the season looked the leagues best. Lennon Huddlestone Modric Bale VDV. Throw Sandro into the mix and thats a pretty good 6. But we have no back up to Lennon and Bale. NO pace anywhere else. Which is why I thin Young would be an ideal signing to compliment what we already have.

Palacios wont play much now, Kranjcar doesnt get a look in despite his obvious class, Jenas is useless, O'Hara will be forced out. Parker and Young might just be what we are lacking in their.

And despite being an avid lover of the Octopus, his time is up. A replacement is required. with talk of De Gea, Adler, Stekeleberg (SP) and Neuer available this could be our best chance at signing quality in their.

And of course, we coudl do with 3 strikers out and 3 in.

 

[Bobbins]

Our midfield is by common consent our strongest area, even more so if you include VDV in the line-up.

I think we'd find it hard to improve on what we've got there already, whereas we can improve in almost every other area of the pitch.

I would though like us to play three in the middle if we're going to persist with playing two wingers all the time, as two constantly get isolated and by-passed.

Three of Huddlestone, Sandro, Modric, Palacios, VDV and Jenas behind a good, powerful striker who can finish would be ideal, certainly away from home. Generally I would always have Modric with VDV further forwatrd as we play now, with one of Huddlestone or Sandro if possible, depending on the opposition.

 

[RJ1882]

Yip. A Drogba tyoe leading our line would be ideal with Lennon Young Bale filling two places out wide, VDV, Modric, Huddlestone, Sandro, Parker willing the middle 3.

 

[beats1]

If true that says a lot about our defence, goalkeeper, strikers and manager considering they cruised to the CL final and are looking to win the title.

The reason they are doing so well is their mentality and Vidic and Rio are the best CB partnership in the world, I mean which other team can play two attacking fullbacks and no DM and not even flinch

Also a big difference between us and them is,
When we try to win a match we push everyone forward and then still hoof for a 50/50, which ends with us losing and getting hit on the counter with only one person back

Whereas they pass to extra players they have upfront and cause more havoc with all their players in opposition's half

 

[FromTheLane]

I said this the other day and todays game only reinforced the belief: we need to be more compact and controlling in midfield by playing two proper holding players (two from Sandro, Huddlestone, Parker/Tiote/upgrade on Palacios), to free Modric, and then have quick counter-attacking wingers with Bale and Walker flying forward from the wing-back positions, behind a powerful and quick lone striker.

No doubt this is what Redknapp sees as well, hence his interest in Marin and Young. What is frustrating, however, and has held us back ever since his arrival, is the surplus bulk in the squad which, without shifting, we are never going to get the funds to be able to strenghten.