' OUR SQUAD '

I've read a few posts lately which suggest our team isn't good enough to get promotion, and that Slade has inherited a mess. While I thought Ole was an abysmal manager it's still worth looking at the squad Slade has to work with:

1. David Marshall - A top class goalkeeper who should be playing for a good Premier League club. Probably the best keeper in the championship.

2. John Brayford - In the Championship team of the year at Derby and one of the best full-backs in the league.

4. Ben Turner - A key player in the Championship winning team. Maybe not the best in the Premier League but certainly a very good Championship defender.

5. Sean Morrison - a decent Championship player who was captain of Reading and has Premier League experience.

6. Connolly - Has been promoted from the Championship three times and is a good performer at this level.

7. Bruno Manga - One of the top defenders from Ligue 1 and has looked very classy since his arrival.

8. Fabio - Experience in the Premier League with Manchester United and a Brazilian international.

9. Declan John - Despite still being very young he made 17 Premier League appearances last year.

10. Craig Noone - Key member of the title winning squad and more than held his own in the Premier League. One of the best wingers in the league.

11. Peter Whittingham - Consistently one of the best midfielders at this level, having been Championship top goal scorer, Championship Player of the Year, named in the PFA team numerous times, and was a key member of the FA Cup Final, League Cup Final and Championship winning teams. While he divides opinion he is still one of the best players at this level.

12. Aaron Gunnarson - Key member of the championship winning team and captain of his country.

13. Anthony Pilkington - Irish international with Premier League experience.

14. Tom Adeyemi - Young Player of the Year at Birmingham last year. Yet to show his best form but has potential.

15. Kenwyne Jones - Bundles of Premier League experience and has proved he can score goals at the top level. Has proved this year that he is still capable at Championship level.

16. Frederico Macheda - Premier League experience with Manchester United and proved at Birmingham last year that he can be a prolific goalscorer at this level.

17. Adam Le Fondre - Prolific goalscorer at Reading who did very well in the Premier League.

18. Guerra - One of the top goalscorers in La Liga last year, scoring as many league goals as Gareth Bale.

19. Nicky Maynard - Previously one of the top strikers in the Championship but sadly injuries have taken their toll.

20. Daehli - Named as one of the top 50 Under 21 players in the world and has shown glimpses of great talent.

21. Ravel Morrison - Attitude is questionable but some of the top managers in the game think he is is an outstanding talent. Hasn't been given much of an opportunity but has shown real class when on the pitch.

The above is just the core of our squad and you have to say it looks extremely impressive, certainly better than most at this level. It's packed full of internationals, with title winning, and Premier League, experience. It might be unbalanced in certain positions but I am convinced that a good manager could get this team promoted no problem. Over to you Mr. Slade!

Agreed decent squad that Pullis would win promotion with and keep us up !

Can Slade, I doubt it, he understands how to do the first bit, make us hard to beat, but not sure he can deliver the next step ??????????

could quite easily add after each name there under achieving and not to consistant and in some cases living on past glories

You have missed out number 3 mate but I agree with what your saying for nearly all the players

but this thread is just another one to knock our manager and glorify our players

Nice assessment but despite these players having individual merits collectively they seem to fall short. I know when Slade came he felt (like a lot of us) that they weren't fit enough. Personally I think we are a bit lazy. It stood out a mile against Rotherham. Their players were constantly on the move offering outlets for the player in possession of the ball, whereas our players stood still offering no outlets. This results in forced passes which often ends up with us losing possession. Our players need to move a hell of a lot more if we are to stretch the opposition and offer a pass. Is that laziness or fitness? Well if Slade thinks that we are now a lot fitter it must be an element of laziness. It would be interesting to see how many kilometres each player runs per game and how that compares to other teams.

To be fair, most squads look strong if you only pick the positives for each player. You could make our squad look weak if you concentrated on the negatives instead. Agree with most of your comments about the plus side of our players, but you need take into account things like having a defender who can't defend, a long serving midfielder who goes missing in some games, a striker who can be effective at this level but often comes across as lazy, another striker who may have been ok elsewhere, but has been absolutely useless since arriving here. Most of our players may look good on paper, but unfortunately football is played on grass.

but this thread is just another one to knock our manager and glorify our players

It is that and also says pulis would have got us promoted? Ive Stated many times just because he organises, works hard, keeps teams in league they are in! Doesn't mean he can get this team promoted! No more than Slade can just because he's from div1, personally dont think pulis would get us promoted.

but this thread is just another one to knock our manager and glorify our players

Steve you really are starting to look a fool.

Jimbo is right down the middle and always gives his honest opinions and sits in the Directors and mixes with many of the players and our management.

There is fitness and there is lazy bastards.
We have lazy bastards.

I agree that the players were unfit, and devoid of confidence after Ole. I also think we are missing a leader in the middle of the park. However, man for man that squad is better than any other team in the division by a mile. Yes the players have underperformed but it's now for the manager to get the best from them. For me the jury is still out as to whether Slade is the right man but I hold him culpable for the atrocious performance on Saturday, and not the players. After all, he's the one obviously telling them to pump it long to Le Fondre at every opportunity! You would have thought he would have learnt after that same tactic failed miserably against Millwall.

I agree that the players were unfit, and devoid of confidence after Ole. I also think we are missing a leader in the middle of the park. However, man for man that squad is better than any other team in the division by a mile. Yes the players have underperformed but it's now for the manager to get the best from them. For me the jury is still out as to whether Slade is the right man but I hold him culpable for the atrocious performance on Saturday, and not the players. After all, he's the one obviously telling them to pump it long to Le Fondre at every opportunity! You would have thought he would have learnt after that same tactic failed miserably against Millwall.

SPOT ON Jimbo

are you 2 serious
slade sends them out to hoof the ball to le fondre
I for one don't think so, most of the time our players are at no more than walking pace offering no outlets, watch the Rotherham game again, turner had no alternative on many occasions other than the long ball , if whitts has it 90% of the time he cant get rid of it quick enough, and passes the buck and gives it to who ever is the nearest to him, usualy turner or our fullback, and there lies the problem,wrong options by our players ,not the manager ffs

We will agree to disagree but it's becoming a worry trait watching our players hoof the ball long! If Slade isn't telling them to do it then it's up to him to sort it on the training ground. I also didn't see him shout at the players once to stop this tactic and I sit near the bench. There is a reason Slade has been in the lower divisions for 20 years and this tactic may well be one of them.

I agree that the players were unfit, and devoid of confidence after Ole. I also think we are missing a leader in the middle of the park. However, man for man that squad is better than any other team in the division by a mile. Yes the players have underperformed but it's now for the manager to get the best from them. For me the jury is still out as to whether Slade is the right man but I hold him culpable for the atrocious performance on Saturday, and not the players. After all, he's the one obviously telling them to pump it long to Le Fondre at every opportunity! You would have thought he would have learnt after that same tactic failed miserably against Millwall.

For you to claim that "man for man that squad is better than any other team in the division by a mile" suggests you can give us the details of the other squads. So how about you compare it with Derby, Watford and Norwich for a start?

I'd also like the evidence that Noone is one of the best wingers in the division. How often has he shown this? Or is it based on just glimpses in the same way you described Daehli? And Macheda prolific? Has ALF ever scored 20 goals in the championship to earn his prolific status?

John may have made 17 PL appearances but he struggled and has continued to struggle when he had his chance this season. Gunnarsson full of fight normally but often very wasteful with his distribution. Fabio good going forward, suspect in defence and often out position. What was Adeyemi's competition at birmingham last season to get the vote?

The bottom line is you can pick on all the good points about our players you want, but unless they actually demonstrate it on the pitch then it's just words.

I agree that the players were unfit, and devoid of confidence after Ole. I also think we are missing a leader in the middle of the park. However, man for man that squad is better than any other team in the division by a mile. Yes the players have underperformed but it's now for the manager to get the best from them. For me the jury is still out as to whether Slade is the right man but I hold him culpable for the atrocious performance on Saturday, and not the players. After all, he's the one obviously telling them to pump it long to Le Fondre at every opportunity! You would have thought he would have learnt after that same tactic failed miserably against Millwall.

For you to claim that "man for man that squad is better than any other team in the division by a mile" suggests you can give us the details of the other squads. So how about you compare it with Derby, Watford and Norwich for a start?

I'd also like the evidence that Noone is one of the best wingers in the division. How often has he shown this? Or is it based on just glimpses in the same way you described Daehli? And Macheda prolific? Has ALF ever scored 20 goals in the championship to earn his prolific status?

John may have made 17 PL appearances but he struggled and has continued to struggle when he had his chance this season. Gunnarsson full of fight normally but often very wasteful with his distribution. Fabio good going forward, suspect in defence and often out position. What was Adeyemi's competition at birmingham last season to get the vote?

The bottom line is you can pick on all the good points about our players you want, but unless they actually demonstrate it on the pitch then it's just words.

I could give you the details of the other squads but that would take all day and I actually have work to get on with. I am however still confident that we have a superior squad than any of our rivals.

Noone has proven he can be a threat at this level and was probably our best outfield player last season. Those of us who were at the Man City away game could argue he was the best player on the pitch that day! Daehli showed he had talent last season, he's an international at 18 years of age and Manchester United wanted to re-sign him when we bid for him in January. However, he hasn't shown his best form as he is shunted out on the wing, when many would like to see him tried as a no.10.

Le Fondre has scored consistently at Championship level and got well into double figures when he played in the Premier League, for a team that was relegated. He was also Reading's Player of the Year that season.

Macheda played 18 games for Birmingham last season, and scored 10 goals, all while they were fighting relegation.

Yes I might be looking at some of these players with rose tinted specs, and they may not currently be performing, but the point I'm trying to make is that we have a hell of a lot of talent and potential in the squad. It is up to Slade to harness it and get the best from them. Most managers at this level would kill for a squad full of internationals, premier league experience and promotion winners.

I agree that the players were unfit, and devoid of confidence after Ole. I also think we are missing a leader in the middle of the park. However, man for man that squad is better than any other team in the division by a mile. Yes the players have underperformed but it's now for the manager to get the best from them. For me the jury is still out as to whether Slade is the right man but I hold him culpable for the atrocious performance on Saturday, and not the players. After all, he's the one obviously telling them to pump it long to Le Fondre at every opportunity! You would have thought he would have learnt after that same tactic failed miserably against Millwall.

For you to claim that "man for man that squad is better than any other team in the division by a mile" suggests you can give us the details of the other squads. So how about you compare it with Derby, Watford and Norwich for a start?

I'd also like the evidence that Noone is one of the best wingers in the division. How often has he shown this? Or is it based on just glimpses in the same way you described Daehli? And Macheda prolific? Has ALF ever scored 20 goals in the championship to earn his prolific status?

John may have made 17 PL appearances but he struggled and has continued to struggle when he had his chance this season. Gunnarsson full of fight normally but often very wasteful with his distribution. Fabio good going forward, suspect in defence and often out position. What was Adeyemi's competition at birmingham last season to get the vote?

The bottom line is you can pick on all the good points about our players you want, but unless they actually demonstrate it on the pitch then it's just words.

I could give you the details of the other squads but that would take all day and I actually have work to get on with. I am however still confident that we have a superior squad than any of our rivals.

Noone has proven he can be a threat at this level and was probably our best outfield player last season. Those of us who were at the Man City away game could argue he was the best player on the pitch that day! Daehli showed he had talent last season, he's an international at 18 years of age and Manchester United wanted to re-sign him when we bid for him in January. However, he hasn't shown his best form as he is shunted out on the wing, when many would like to see him tried as a no.10.

Le Fondre has scored consistently at Championship level and got well into double figures when he played in the Premier League, for a team that was relegated. He was also Reading's Player of the Year that season.

Macheda played 18 games for Birmingham last season, and scored 10 goals, all while they were fighting relegation.

Yes I might be looking at some of these players with rose tinted specs, and they may not currently be performing, but the point I'm trying to make is that we have a hell of a lot of talent and potential in the squad. It is up to Slade to harness it and get the best from them. Most managers at this level would kill for a squad full of internationals, premier league experience and promotion winners.

I don't doubt we have talent, but this throw away line that we have the best squad in the division seems to be used by many when they haven't even considered what we are up against. Potential doesn't mean you have the best squad, actually proving it on the pitch does. We haven't come anywhere near close. Where's the proof Man U wanted Daehli? Noone has one good game in 5 and that's being kind.

Out of interest, how many of our current team would get into derby's first 11? Marshall?

When I look at our squad, it looks mid table to me. No chance of being dragged into a relegation battle, but no higher than 10th. I think we'll probably finish around 12th.

I agree that the players were unfit, and devoid of confidence after Ole. I also think we are missing a leader in the middle of the park. However, man for man that squad is better than any other team in the division by a mile. Yes the players have underperformed but it's now for the manager to get the best from them. For me the jury is still out as to whether Slade is the right man but I hold him culpable for the atrocious performance on Saturday, and not the players. After all, he's the one obviously telling them to pump it long to Le Fondre at every opportunity! You would have thought he would have learnt after that same tactic failed miserably against Millwall.

For you to claim that "man for man that squad is better than any other team in the division by a mile" suggests you can give us the details of the other squads. So how about you compare it with Derby, Watford and Norwich for a start?

I'd also like the evidence that Noone is one of the best wingers in the division. How often has he shown this? Or is it based on just glimpses in the same way you described Daehli? And Macheda prolific? Has ALF ever scored 20 goals in the championship to earn his prolific status?

John may have made 17 PL appearances but he struggled and has continued to struggle when he had his chance this season. Gunnarsson full of fight normally but often very wasteful with his distribution. Fabio good going forward, suspect in defence and often out position. What was Adeyemi's competition at birmingham last season to get the vote?

The bottom line is you can pick on all the good points about our players you want, but unless they actually demonstrate it on the pitch then it's just words.

I could give you the details of the other squads but that would take all day and I actually have work to get on with. I am however still confident that we have a superior squad than any of our rivals.

Noone has proven he can be a threat at this level and was probably our best outfield player last season. Those of us who were at the Man City away game could argue he was the best player on the pitch that day! Daehli showed he had talent last season, he's an international at 18 years of age and Manchester United wanted to re-sign him when we bid for him in January. However, he hasn't shown his best form as he is shunted out on the wing, when many would like to see him tried as a no.10.

Le Fondre has scored consistently at Championship level and got well into double figures when he played in the Premier League, for a team that was relegated. He was also Reading's Player of the Year that season.

Macheda played 18 games for Birmingham last season, and scored 10 goals, all while they were fighting relegation.

Yes I might be looking at some of these players with rose tinted specs, and they may not currently be performing, but the point I'm trying to make is that we have a hell of a lot of talent and potential in the squad. It is up to Slade to harness it and get the best from them. Most managers at this level would kill for a squad full of internationals, premier league experience and promotion winners.

I don't doubt we have talent, but this throw away line that we have the best squad in the division seems to be used by many when they haven't even considered what we are up against. Potential doesn't mean you have the best squad, actually proving it on the pitch does. We haven't come anywhere near close. Where's the proof Man U wanted Daehli? Noone has one good game in 5 and that's being kind.

Out of interest, how many of our current team would get into derby's first 11? Marshall?

Manga would go straight into derbys starting XI. Fabio, ravel and matts would at least get more minutes at derby than at city.
And yes United wanted matts. Not that he would have necessarily played much. But a highly rated prospect at United that they wanted to have on their books for the future.
Talented Molde teen Daehli chooses Cardiff and Solskjaer over return to United
By RIATH AL-SAMARRAI FOR THE DAILY MAIL

Cardiff City have signed Mats Moller Daehli from Molde after surviving a late bid from Manchester United.
United triggered an option to re-sign the 18-year-old Norweigian, who left Old Trafford in 2013 after two years in their youth set-up.
But the midfielder has opted to resume his working relationship with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... nited.html

We have a set of 'Good Honest Pros' in my eyes, not spectacular, not premiership, but not bad players, just not good enough.

Our best player is Matts daehli, but i think hes about 5 seconds quicker in the head than any player we have, and that doesnt help him as nobody is on his level. Everything should be going through him, the team should be built around him. Give him a minder in Gunner and let the kid play.

Jones, maynard, ALF and machada are not good enough. Jones makes us play long ball, maynard is a waterboy at best, and ALF just cant get going for any manager in the last few years. Half a good season he had at Reading and the manager still didnt trust him to start.

Because we were linked to Adeyemi he autmatically became Keane & Viera in one. When really hes a young lad who sadly isnt good enough at this moment. He needs to calm down and concentrate on getting and giving just ticking the ball over.

I think Marshall, whitts, daehli, fabio, noone and manga are players we would keep hold of if we were a premiership team, the rest wouldnt even be squad players.

Brayford very hit or miss, turner couldnt pass water, and found his level in this league. Morrison & connolly again at their levels. Connolly plays well in the championship just not good enough to step up. Nothing wrong with players like that, good players just not the elite.

Declan John hasnt trained on, my personal opinion is that he will end up League 1.