Re: Impressed today : Tue Dec 28, 2021 8:23 am
Kettykat wrote:
Also nice to see our captain for the day carrying on from where he left off last season with some big hits and bell fingers .You can really see what a few years and some muscle mass does to the players as regards resilience , as leeds were certainly putting it about, especially Tetevano ,who I predict will spend plenty of time on the side lines if he doesn’t get his tackling technique sorted pronto.Our young lad whilst never taking a backwards step in the game and showing up really well , need protecting imo and drip feeding into games when and if they get their chance ,as it’s a huge step up from the under 19s to first team in physicality of the game . People are moaning about our squad even before a ball is kicked ,well from where I’m sat poaching has assembled a good squad with plenty of depth and after watching against Leeds especially in the first half went toe to toe with a far superior and stronger squad , and held their own . I’m full of confidence for the up coming season knowing who we have as regular 1-17 alongside a very good mix of youth and fringe players ,Bring it on .
I’d say we have 23ish players who’d get a gig in most teams. Supporting that are a further 10 players at various points in their development. What matters though is not the quantity but the quality.
Some played better than others and one or two got caught out once or twice but nobody looked out of place, nobody. Some were clearly not ready but all looked like they would be eventually. Doesn’t happen often when every youngster looks capable of the step up.
That doesn’t mean they all will but it does show the way we produce youngsters has improved dramatically.
In the final analysis there wasn’t a youngster in that lot who couldn’t at least cover for a game or two. That’s real squad strength.
I also think there is money left in the coffers should we need a further signing or two. So over all we are not in such a bad way as the doom mongers would have us believe.
My prediction. Slow start and lots of panic on here. A mid season purple patch. Then up to the players and Lady Luck.