03 Jan 2018 21:00:32
Good evening chaps,

I must say, a break has done me good and given me a fresh perspective - excuse the pun. This will (more or less) be my first post of the season and now we are around half way through I feel it is a good time to add my two pennies. Firstly on the squad, and then on the club as a whole.

Defence: For me this is a very promising defence but needs some tweaking. We need Bailly to be a main stay, he is the glue and the best defender we have. Lindelof for me will blossom in time, like Vidic did. I'm also glad to see Shaw back, although the strength and depth in the fullbacks is pitiful. Valencia and Shaw are good first choices, but Darmian and Blind are no replacements whilst Young should be a starting fullback for a club of our stature. Delighted to see the Ghoulam links, he is a top class left back who would add a real balance to that side. How long can we trust in Shaw's fitness?

Midfield: Lack of strength in depth again. Carrick looks to be finished at this level and Herrera's form has severely dipped off. Matic is the only guaranteed starter whilst Pogba needs the freedom of the park. Another midfielder is required, Savic is a popular choice, although I'm not professing to know much about him.

Attacking Midfielders: Mkhitaryan has been a huge dissappointment and his form has tailed off. Lingard is a breath of fresh air, he has totally changed my opinion of him. Martial and Rashford for me are number 9's, especially Martial. He is far better up front and is the most clinical striker we have. Mata remains a good squad member, but lacks dynamism. I'd love nothing more than to see Ozil and Lucas Moura come in. Pace in Moura and fantastic ability in Ozil.

Centre Forwards: Lukaku gets such a hard time, because he plays for us, he is top class for me.

Overall, I would argue this has been a good season so far (except the Bristol result) . I'd like to see Lukaku and Martial paired up top, maybe with a midfield diamond behind it of Matic, Pogba, Savic and Ozil with the fullbacks providing the width.

Thoughts chaps? And, good to be back.

1.) 03 Jan 2018
03 Jan 2018 21:15:39
Good to have you back fresh. Fair assesment imo.

2.) 03 Jan 2018
03 Jan 2018 21:37:57
Welcome back fresh 👍.

{Ed004's Note - Welcome back Fresh! Agree with everything you have said although for right back I'd like to see Mensah act as understudy to Valencia next season and a left back come in to compete with Shaw. Even if we integrate Perriera in to the side still think we are two short in midfield and my marquee signing would be either Ozil or Dybala to play right side but given a free role}

3.) 04 Jan 2018
04 Jan 2018 09:09:19
Hey Fresh, where have you been? 🙄

I agree with a lot of your post but if we play a flat back 4 then we need top quality FBs and Matic will need to just sit to protect. Right now, we end to use Pogba to his maximum, if we need to structure a team around him then let’s get on with it.

4.) 04 Jan 2018
04 Jan 2018 11:30:35
Ozil seems so attainable. I’m sure anything over £25m in this window would tempt Arsenal. They’re a well run club in terms of finances and that is a lot of money to turn down.

He would also be eligible for the CL.