I take Clint Hill's word for it,when he said there were divisions in the dressing room.Seperate little groups that didn't mix together,you could see it on the pitch too.With the exception of Traore,I believe all the rest have been rooted out!
That shouldn't happen this season. CR has said that any bad eggs or players not pulling their weight will be eased aside and away from the main group who want to try and do there best for us. Any players displaying a prima donna attitude will play no part. Mediocrity is no longer an option at our club.
I think we have a much better-balanced squad now. To think we could survive in the PL with Hill/Yun/Traore as left back options was insane!...
To look at that squad list, Sandro's not been at the club since the new kit was launched!! While it looks like the weakest squad over the last 3-4 years on paper, it might also be the strongest squad on the pitch, with far more players willing to give their all for the club rather than just pick up their paychecks.
Looks light up front That's why we need BZ for his one goal when it matters. Crooked he will still be better than our big german
Who were our best players last season? Green, Austin, Phillips and Fer. (All still here!) Who were the worst players? Hoillett, Ferdinand, Traore, Taarabt... (Gone, going or out of the running) New signings? Mostly, young and eager. Chery and Luongo, especially, look really good. McCarthy and Murphy replaced by Smithies and Lumley. Both improvements. Stronger? A big yes from me.
'Stronger' - Yes fitter and younger, so should suffer less injuries and not suffer from the 80 minute fade plague. 'Quality wise' - I think that is a tough question, as we had quality in the squad last year that was never went anywhere near the pitch, Vargas, Isla, Adel to name a few. So I guess compared to the playing squad from last year the answer is we have a better midfield with options, more strikers who will score than OBZ but may not have his hold up game. Defence is where I'm not so sure, 1 clean sheet and a 2 goal against average is great but the additions have been late. A Richard Dunne around the training field may have schooled these boys a little faster but we'll never know now. I think on fitness this years defence is ahead of last years, but only by a nose. Early days still, so could all change.