Squad Depth

[Roy Hobbs 2,334]

Just now, WWTC said:

Barasic and Yilmaz cover one position, Goldson and Sands is two. I’m not even convinced Sands was originally playing in there as he didnt last season. We’ve let 3 CB’s go and replaced them with 2. And as I said in my previous post, CB probably isnt the best example to use, but the squad in general lacks quality and depth in comparison to theirs. 

What 3 centre backs did we let go? Balogun, and Bassey, who was really a left back playing at centre back. He never played centre back before us. Sands played half his games at centre back before us. 

We effectively replaced Bassey with Davies and Yilmaz, and Souttar replaced Balogun. Numbers wise, we are better off than last season, particularly with Sands and King now contributing.

[beararse 6,477]

1 hour ago, Bakbear said:

We had Sands and Goldson. We rested them. 
 

we overspent by 80 million before we got to European final and qualified for the champions league. What’s hard to understand about this. In a period of 5 years we are 80 million behind. This year will balance that and we need to then have a sustainable model
 

we have 2 players at least for every position. Yes we have injuries but we cannot just keep gambling in the transfer market it has be balanced. 
 

I believe we have a good enough squad to win this league. 

This.

Folk seem to think we have a magic money tree now that we've actually made some dosh but ignore the fact we still have to service debts, presumably pay back directors loans, cover an ever increasing wage bill, maintain/upgrade facilities etc.

But aye, let's bring in a couple more on top of the 7 players we have already signed. Mental.

[WWTC 2,257]

8 minutes ago, beararse said:

Given we have 3 CB's out injured thats to be expected surely.

We can't just buy another CB because 3 are out for varying lengths of time/reasons. What do we do with the 4 spare CB's once they are all fit (5 if we had brought in another to allay your fears v the likes of QoS)

We wouldnt have 5 spare CB’s, we’d have 4, one of which is a young boy coming though, another might not kick a ball again for us, and a further one who’s had injuries all through his career. We have 2 who naturally play on the left side of CB and funnily enough, one of them is the one I metioned earlier who has played most of his career taking injections and has been sideline for months.

As ive said about 3 times now CB is probably not the best example to use as its more about the squad depth and quality. 

[WWTC 2,257]

16 minutes ago, Roy Hobbs said:

What 3 centre backs did we let go? Balogun, and Bassey, who was really a left back playing at centre back. He never played centre back before us. Sands played half his games at centre back before us. 

We effectively replaced Bassey with Davies and Yilmaz, and Souttar replaced Balogun. Numbers wise, we are better off than last season, particularly with Sands and King now contributing.

Katic?

Souttar replaced Balogun? John Souttar cannot play left side centre back and is a gamble. His injury record is worse than Hellanders and thats saying something.

excuse my ignorance, but can someone tell what the script is with Davies? Ive read “family issues” a few times but dont know anything about it. 

[HG5 11,446]

19 minutes ago, Roy Hobbs said:

What 3 centre backs did we let go? Balogun, and Bassey, who was really a left back playing at centre back. He never played centre back before us. Sands played half his games at centre back before us. 

We effectively replaced Bassey with Davies and Yilmaz, and Souttar replaced Balogun. Numbers wise, we are better off than last season, particularly with Sands and King now contributing.

Katic & Simpson? (no laughing at the back…)

[graeme_4 35,373]

Just now, WWTC said:

Katic?

Souttar replaced Balogun? John Souttar cannot play left side centre back and is a gamble. His injury record is worse than Hellanders and thats saying something.

excuse my ignorance, but can someone tell what the script is with Davies? Ive read “family issues” a few times but dont know anything about it. 

Not really something to be sharing online, but something very serious. 

[beararse 6,477]

14 minutes ago, WWTC said:

We wouldnt have 5 spare CB’s, we’d have 4, one of which is a young boy coming though, another might not kick a ball again for us, and a further one who’s had injuries all through his career. We have 2 who naturally play on the left side of CB and funnily enough, one of them is the one I metioned earlier who has played most of his career taking injections and has been sideline for months.

As ive said about 3 times now CB is probably not the best example to use as its more about the squad depth and quality. 

I responded to a post notification so didn't read the various replies you'd issued so sorry for making you repeat yourself.

IF we brought in A.N.Other to strengthen the back line (as you suggested in your initial post) and EVERYBODY was fit we'd have 7 CB's vying for two positions (i'm including Sands in the equation as he's proved to be a very good CB as evidenced v PSV).

The point i am making is you can't keep on stockpiling players on the the off chance the ones we have wont recover from injury or regain form.

And let's face it, Goldson (rightly or wrongly) is always first pick so we'll have at least 3 CBs fighting for one spot (Souttar, Davies and King), 4 if you include Sands and 5 if Helander ever returns to full fitness.

To imply bringing in yet another is fucking crazy IMO.

[westenclosure2008 798]

38 minutes ago, JackAlex93 said:

How many starts has Ridvan Yilmaz had and sub appearances? 😂

Exactly. The manager clearly agrees that he’s not an improvement on Barisic otherwise he would have played more. Him not playing strengthens my argument that he hasn’t improved us does it not?

[WWTC 2,257]

12 minutes ago, beararse said:

This.

Folk seem to think we have a magic money tree now that we've actually made some dosh but ignore the fact we still have to service debts, presumably pay back directors loans, cover an ever increasing wage bill, maintain/upgrade facilities etc.

But aye, let's bring in a couple more on top of the 7 players we have already signed. Mental.

We lost the league last season by the way. No one thinks we have a magic wand, but lots believe we brought in far more cash in the last year than we ever budgeted for. So to push the boat out a little in order to increase our chances of winning the league and qualifying for the Champions League again isnt really that far fetched. 
 

we sold 2 of our best players and brought in 7. The team that won the league last year kept all their best players and brought in 9. Mental eh 

[WWTC 2,257]

4 minutes ago, HG5 said:

Katic & Simpson? (no laughing at the back…)

I forgot about Simpson, you’re right, we let 4 go

[ElBufalo20 7,993]

4 minutes ago, graeme_4 said:

Not really something to be sharing online, but something very serious. 

How do you actually know this?

[graeme_4 35,373]

Just now, ElBufalo20 said:

How do you actually know this?

Saw it mentioned on here, before it was removed by mods. I don’t actually know it. Need to just accept you’re not always going to be privy to everyone’s personal life.

[WWTC 2,257]

4 minutes ago, beararse said:

I responded to a post notification so didn't read the various replies you'd issued so sorry for making you repeat yourself.

IF we brought in A.N.Other to strengthen the back line (as you suggested in your initial post) and EVERYBODY was fit we'd have 7 CB's vying for two positions (i'm including Sands in the equation as he's proved to be a very good CB as evidenced v PSV).

The point i am making is you can't keep on stockpiling players on the the off chance the ones we have wont recover from injury or regain form.

And let's face it, Goldson (rightly or wrongly) is always first pick so we'll have at least 3 CBs fighting for one spot (Souttar, Davies and King), 4 if you include Sands and 5 if Helander ever returns to full fitness.

To imply bringing in yet another is fucking crazy IMO.

Davies has barely played, King is 19, Hellander is out for fuck knows how long, Souttar is a slight gamble due to his injury record. We have numbers, but not the quality required available. I take your point and despite it being more about the actual squad depth and quality, we were mad not offer Balogun a short term reduced deal given the circumstances. Hardly going to send our debt spiralling out of control 

[beararse 6,477]

1 minute ago, WWTC said:

We lost the league last season by the way. No one thinks we have a magic wand, but lots believe we brought in far more cash in the last year than we ever budgeted for. So to push the boat out a little in order to increase our chances of winning the league and qualifying for the Champions League again isnt really that far fetched. 
 

we sold 2 of our best players and brought in 7. The team that won the league last year kept all their best players and brought in 9. Mental eh 

The team that one the league and brought in 9 have been cash rich for years courtesy of our demotion.

We're not, we've had to overreach and gamble to get us back to a point where we can at least compete.

You ever been skint, won a scratch card and thought 'Ya dancer!' only to realise the money would have to go towards paying a bill/debt owed?

If so, you'd be a mug to go away out and treat yourself to something as all you're doing is adding to the debt you have.

It's that simple.

[Roy Hobbs 2,334]

14 minutes ago, WWTC said:

Katic?

Souttar replaced Balogun? John Souttar cannot play left side centre back and is a gamble. His injury record is worse than Hellanders and thats saying something.

excuse my ignorance, but can someone tell what the script is with Davies? Ive read “family issues” a few times but dont know anything about it. 

Katic didn't play for us last season, and he spent the previous season out with a major injury. As much as I like the big guy, he's in no way a loss.

[ForeverAndEver 72,238]

7 minutes ago, graeme_4 said:

Saw it mentioned on here, before it was removed by mods. I don’t actually know it. Need to just accept you’re not always going to be privy to everyone’s personal life.

And there’s people saying it’s just an injury. It’s all speculation 

[beararse 6,477]

3 minutes ago, WWTC said:

Davies has barely played, King is 19, Hellander is out for fuck knows how long, Souttar is a slight gamble due to his injury record. We have numbers, but not the quality required available. I take your point and despite it being more about the actual squad depth and quality, we were mad not offer Balogun a short term reduced deal given the circumstances. Hardly going to send our debt spiralling out of control 

Collectively, and for varying reasons, Souttar, Davies and Yilmaz have played about 4 games between them.

How can anyone say they wont be quality signings based on that?

Did you think Lundstram would be a quality addition after his first two games?

[OrangeRab 3,070]

7 minutes ago, beararse said:

The team that one the league and brought in 9 have been cash rich for years courtesy of our demotion.

We're not, we've had to overreach and gamble to get us back to a point where we can at least compete.

You ever been skint, won a scratch card and thought 'Ya dancer!' only to realise the money would have to go towards paying a bill/debt owed?

If so, you'd be a mug to go away out and treat yourself to something as all you're doing is adding to the debt you have.

It's that simple.

I think we’re all aware that there isn’t a huge pot of money sitting being unspent. Equally the board could probably have found £5million if they wanted to to splash on one or two players. 
 

Now in my and many others opinions, celtic’s current squad is better and will probably win the league. (80% probability). If we’d signed 1 or 2 players of first team quality. I would have said 50/50. Maybe even us favourites. If the prize for winning the league is CL and £30mio next year. That’s a positive expected value bet. 0.5*30 -5. Vs 0.2*30. So 10mio in expectation vs 6mio.
 

Still a gamble, but not a gamble like going to the casino and sticking it on red.

Maybe the scouting department just couldn’t identify anyone they thought was good value and attainable. 

 

[ElBufalo20 7,993]

13 minutes ago, ForeverAndEver said:

And there’s people saying it’s just an injury. It’s all speculation 

I really don’t know why this isn’t being clarified by the club it’s pretty poor.

Its not hard to come out and say Davies will be missing for the foreseeable due to personal reasons the club fully support him etc etc and nobody will have an issue. If indeed that is the case.

The same goes for Souttar. He’s just disappeared and not a word.

The in house media clearly doesn’t help as they have to toe the party line when asking the questions

[Colin Traive 23,282]

26 minutes ago, graeme_4 said:

Saw it mentioned on here, before it was removed by mods. I don’t actually know it. Need to just accept you’re not always going to be privy to everyone’s personal life.

Are we talking injury or are we talking family illness, bereavement, domestic troubles?

Fans asking when a player is likely to contribute and curious about the reason for his absence is not nosiness.

[beararse 6,477]

1 minute ago, OrangeRab said:

I think we’re all aware that there isn’t a huge pot of money sitting being unspent. Equally the board could probably have found £5million if they wanted to to splash on one or two players. 
 

Now in my and many others opinions, celtic’s current squad is better and will probably win the league. (80% probability). If we’d signed 1 or 2 players of first team quality. I would have said 50/50. Maybe even us favourites. If the prize for winning the league is CL and £30mio next year. That’s a positive expected value bet. 0.5*30 -5. Vs 0.2*30. So 10mio in expectation vs 6mio.
 

Still a gamble, but not a gamble like going to the casino and sticking it on red.

Maybe the scouting department just couldn’t identify anyone they thought was good value and attainable. 

 

I guess we'll find out tomorrow.

I believe we are as good as if not better than celtic at present.

We have retained the vast majority of the squad that reached the EL final in the same year they got pumped from 3 separate UEFA qualification rounds.

We qualified for the CL group stages whilst they benefited from our efforts in increasing the coefficient.

We just have a different style and tactical set up.

Unfortunately theirs seems much better suited when playing the dross of the SPFL. But they'll almost certainly struggle in Europe and in closely contested games. Hopefully starting tomorrow. 

[SeparateEntityMyArse 54,338]

56 minutes ago, beararse said:

This.

Folk seem to think we have a magic money tree now that we've actually made some dosh but ignore the fact we still have to service debts, presumably pay back directors loans, cover an ever increasing wage bill, maintain/upgrade facilities etc.

But aye, let's bring in a couple more on top of the 7 players we have already signed. Mental.

How exactly do folk think its a magic money tree?  There's been plenty commented already to show how the sums brought in are/ will be over £100m. That's not magic money tree stuff but hard cash.

We've spent some of it on players and EH etc, but we effectively put together a EL level squad which was fair enough as that revenue was guaranteed this season. 

We've been told for years we budget for not qualifying for Europe but obv aim to do so which generates additional income.

So we planned for EL this season, qualified for the CL, and Gio obviously expected additions which haven't happened.

Wtf not if its surplus from what we planned for like in previous years? Why wasn't quality added with the new unexpected multi million pound windfall?

If its servicing more of the loans than planned for, or prioritising a building over creating a squad that could compete better on the CL (points generate even more millions) or should win the league (and more chance of a huge euro pot next season) then that's absolute negligence.

[RoboBearToo 403]

I think it's been an ok window. They SEEM to have had a better window than us, but time will tell.

They haven't really added to their starting 11, and although they seemed to win the league easy last year, it was only 4 points in the end. An easy gap to bridge.

Also how many of the 9 they signed would we want. Jenz seems a decent CB and there last signing Hacsabsomethingorother has a decent rep. Other than that apart from the 3 that they made permenant from loans I don't think they're up to much. 

[BlueVanguard 7,083]

Sort of glad we never made any new signings but also a bit concerned.

Rabbi Matondo really needs to show more as he is looking to be a very poor signing so far. 

Souttar, Helander, Roofe, Hagi should all be back fairly soon and little el buffalo also.

Think after 2012 and the shite we have seen spent over the past few years its probably best we look after our finances a little better.

Still reckon we will sign Ross Barkley though for a year. 

** Edit **

Also reckon though to improve our squad and challenge for CL spot next year or to win the league we need to improve in some areas.

[graeme_4 35,373]

1 hour ago, Colin Traive said:

Are we talking injury or are we talking family illness, bereavement, domestic troubles?

Fans asking when a player is likely to contribute and curious about the reason for his absence is not nosiness.