01 Sep 2021 10:25:56
Sorry to go against the grain but I’m actually happy with that window.
We needed a defender and we got a good one.
We could have done with shipping a few more players out and then use that money to bring in someone new, but it was never a good window to sell players in.
Looking at the squad it’s strong enough for a title challenge and a champions league challenge.
I personally think we have the strongest, most balanced and most complete 11 in the league, I think our squad depth is also very strong, especially in defence with Kostas now an option and 5 capable CBs to choose from.

01 Sep 2021 10:40:48
If Mane and Salah find there shooting boots I honestly believe we will win the premier league with this squad
Up the pool.

01 Sep 2021 10:45:57
don't think we have the cover for the forwards, Salah, firmino, djota and mane for 3 positions. Any injuries and we're back to only having Origi, which is really not good enough to be challenging for anything. who do we even put in up there, we don't even have the shaq as backup.
I guess jones/ elliot? but i would think they'd be more midfield cover this season.

{Ed002's Note - Minamino can be added.}

01 Sep 2021 10:46:42
Also curious how we can have good squad depth this season when we signed 1 player?!

{Ed014's Note - as an example tell me where United’s back up CB are, who after MaGuire and Varane are there and did you not see Wolves rip them a new one.

Who are their backup full backs? Who after Fernandez and Pogba is any good in their midfield.

Forward wise they have Ronaldo, Cavani, Sancho, Greenwood and Rashford, are they such a massive jump up from Firmino, Jota, Salah and Mane, is there a proven played together front 3 in their side yet?

Stop flapping, it’s also only yourselves and City that have teams who know each other so well and have the best two managers out there.

01 Sep 2021 11:05:13
In fairness Ed014 that's the best summary of the Utd squad I've seen in a long time mate.

{Ed014's Note - just saying what I see Barry. You look at their squad and they have just about sorted a first 11 but still need a Fabinho at an absolute minimum.

01 Sep 2021 11:07:20
Origi proven no good as a starter, Minamino proven no trust in him, Kieta proven no faith or good enough, Williams right back cover, still raw, Milner, 50 years old now, Ox, not enough game time, Firmino and Mane massive loss in form, we could go on, the squad is massively lacking in depth and quality and that comes from little investment in the side, which at the end is the main focus of any football club.

{Ed014's Note - I can’t help you mate, you sound like your in the depths of despair! 🤷‍♂️

01 Sep 2021 11:09:03
If scoring goals wasn't a problem for us in the first place, I wouldn't mention it. But it is.

01 Sep 2021 11:09:05
I mean yeah fine compare us to United, but we were proven short with a number of injuries.

Compare the squads to City and Chelsea though who will be the 2 competing for the title.

TBF I'd like to see some more of minamo i didn't see many of his games at southampton, so maybe he'll show up this year!

{Ed014's Note - go onto their official team pages, actually look through their respective squads and see how absolutely fabulous they are compared to yours.

I double dare you Dean!

01 Sep 2021 11:12:18
Honestly I wouldn't swap our squad with anyone elses - even Chelsea or City. Yet it is still possible to have created an unnecessary risk by not adding a striker option. It is possible to hold those two opinions.

{Ed014's Note - of course mate but the seasons not started, you have 4 players across the front who can score, just let them get into rhythm.

01 Sep 2021 11:14:32
No interest in who we currently have in the squad or how good they are, there's a comment from someone whose only interest is transfers.
Newsflash : the transfer window isn't a competition to be lost or won.

{Ed014's Note - 100% mate because if it was Arsenal would be top on dosh spent and oh they’re bottom! 😂

01 Sep 2021 11:16:42
Mane, Jota, Salah, Firmino, Minamino and Origi. 6 options for 3 positions isn't bad. Plus Ox, Jones and Elliott can play in the front 3. So 9 really.

Plenty of options. I was hoping we'd replace Origi, but maybe now we'll just see Kaide Gordon get a chance earlier and it's up to him to take it.

01 Sep 2021 11:20:14
Unfortunately Ed014 unless we get 2 or 3 players in every window some fan's panic but the fact remains that the club has a squad good enough too challenge.

{Ed014's Note - has a squad good enough to win mate as already proven!

It’s incredible the depression on here. Even the Arsenal lads are happier ffs! 🤦‍♂️

01 Sep 2021 11:25:47
Squad depth is arguably the best, as things stand right now, that we've had for two of three years. With the exception of Firmino's recent injury, we are injury free. We strengthened our depth in the position where most people would say we needed it most. In addition to Konate, we also now know that Phillips can hold his own so there's more depth there. We appear to have real specialist cover at left back for the first time in several years, with Tsimikas fit and showing he's half decent in the first couple of matches.

Yes, Wijnaldum has gone but we've brought Elliott back in and he appears to be very much part of the first team plans. Jones is a year older/ more experienced. Keita and Ox are fit so maybe we can get more out of them. Minamino is back from loan. The only players we have lost are players who contributed little or nothing in the last two or three years. So if you're talking about squad depth, I think we're in a better position than we have been for some time.

And whilst it is a bit disconcerting to see our three main rivals have all gone for it big time in the transfer market, we need to remember that this is a team that won the Champions League three years ago, the Premier League two years ago, was top at Christmas last season and finished with a run of 10 matches that were title form, and has started this season brightly - joint top, unbeaten, one goal conceded. The only reason we weren't going for the title last season was that extraordinary run of form mid-season which, given our form prior to then and again since then, can arguably be written off as an aberration in extreme circumstances, rather than an indicator of a more general decline.

Sure, at some point we will need to start thinking about the future in order to avoid suddenly hitting a point where half of the team needs refreshing at once, but most of our key players are still in their prime, or haven't even reached their prime yet. I can accept that the jury remains out on whether Firmino can get back to his absolute best, and of course we can't expect Milner to go on forever, but I don't see any other first team player who I consider to be in decline.

I'm very positive and excited about this season.

01 Sep 2021 11:27:35
Do you think Kaide Gordon will be coming off the bench to change a game this season. I am willing to bet that won't be happening. It will be Origi or Ox.

01 Sep 2021 11:29:50
With Firmino injured, Origi and/ or Minamino may well get a run of games and be able to find some form.

01 Sep 2021 11:58:49
The question isn't if we have the numbers in the squad to cover, the question is, are they of the required standard to fill in and the massive glaring answer is a big resounding no. Another profit window for the owners and another disappointing end of a window, FSG need asking what's going on, they have too many fingers in too many pies and they all want profit, well sometimes in football profit doesn't come every window.

01 Sep 2021 12:02:44
Oh Ed014 that is bad if your lot are happier.

{Ed014's Note - it’s terrible mate but when you know you’re crap it becomes a lot easier! 🤣🤣🤣

01 Sep 2021 13:47:00
You are unfortunately right Ed014.I absolutely loved the team of Overmars, Bergkamp, Henry etc etc. Now that was beautiful football but I dare say you miss them a hell of a lot more.

{Ed014's Note - absolutely mate, think that was kind of a once in a life time team and style of play. ☹️