Has the starting 11 been improved

[simon789us]

I for one think we have had a good window more strength in depth but has the starting 11 been improved not so sure myself

[urban.spaceman]

We don't really have a set starting XI anyway, partly because we've not had a fully fit first choice XI for almost 2 years and won't until Fofana is back fit way into next year.

 

Our options have certainly improved though, which is fantastic when you consider previous seasons. We've shifted so much 'dead weight' recently AND seem to have a pipeline of quality youngsters coming through at the same time, which will only improve in years to come at Seagrave. 

[coolhandfox]

I would say Bertrand has.

 

The problem generally hasn't been the starting 11, everyone stays fit we finish 4th or 3rd two season running.

 

The problem has been lose 2 or 3 and the drop in quality was plain to see.

 

We have played 101 games last two seasons, modern football is a squad game.

 

[4everfox]

Last season, injuries to key players cost us a champions league place. So we've tried to address this by adding players to the squad that will make us less dependent on certain players in certain positions. To summarise, I think as a squad we are stronger than we were, but our first choice 11 doesn't appear to have improved, as we haven't signed a single player that immediately becomes our best player in any one position. 

[HighPeakFox]

Time will tell - it's a fluid thing.

[simon789us]

Yeah injuries have cost us starting our first 11 just don’t see anyone with the possible exception Bertrand that has come in and you think nailed on starter it all may change in the coming weeks 

[nnfox]

We'll find out when our new signings actually get a game.

[Sol thewall Bamba]

We haven't had a first XI in a long time and won't for a while yet so this isn't really a question. 

 

For what it's worth I don't think the strength of the first XI (right wing aside) was really the issue, it was the depth of the squad where we struggled. 

[LestaFox92]

No but the depth has, the only thing is I feel like at least 3 of the top 4 have strengthened quite a bit, so I'm not super confident of us being able to push for top 4 regardless.
You never know tho always a underperformer and that's if we get ourselves playing at the level we can.

[Les-TA-Jon]

4 competitions. Injuries, suspension, rotation and tactical changes. There's no such thing as 'the starting 11' anymore...

[turlo]

The overall squad has improved, especially in central midfield and upfront. Lack of squad depth and ability to cope with injuries was ultimately what cost us top 4 last season. 

 

Daka is highly regarded  several top clubs and we badly needed a Vardy style back up player - big tick in the box. Soumare is the physical ball carrying midfielder we lack and while doesn't currently start ahead of our first choice midfield trio, he adds depth nad has a lot of potenial. KDH is like a new signing and will add depth to our midfield.  Bertrand brings a lot of experience and improves us at LB until JJ is back. Vestegaard will be a good back up defender with EPL and international tournament experience. Lookman will provide the back up to Barnes on the left we don't currently have.

The only disappointment was not bringing in a RW , which was the one area where our best 11 needed improving. 

Not losing any of our top players is also a massive bonus. 

I'd give our window 8 out of 10 overall. 

[SkidsFox]

BR seems very loathe to trial new signings in the first team. I wonder if there is a special induction process they have to undergo first, before making the first eleven?

[Fox92]

2 minutes ago, turlo said:

The overall squad has improved, especially in central midfield and upfront. Lack of squad depth and ability to cope with injuries was ultimately what cost us top 4 last season. 

 

Daka is highly regarded  several top clubs and we badly needed a Vardy style back up player - big tick in the box. Soumare is the physical ball carrying midfielder we lack and while doesn't currently start ahead of our first choice midfield trio, he adds depth nad has a lot of potenial. KDH is like a new signing and will add depth to our midfield.  Bertrand brings a lot of experience and improves us at LB until JJ is back. Vestegaard will be a good back up defender with EPL and international tournament experience. Lookman will provide the back up to Barnes on the left we don't currently have.

The only disappointment was not bringing in a RW , which was the one area where our best 11 needed improving. 

Not losing any of our top players is also a massive bonus. 

I'd give our window 8 out of 10 overall. 

Wouldn't go as far as an 8. We still need a quality right winger which will be the difference between winning and drawing games.

[CosbehFox]

There was a very serious threat it was going to be weakened and that’s not happened thankfully 

[turlo]

1 minute ago, Fox92 said:

Wouldn't go as far as an 8. We still need a quality right winger which will be the difference between winning and drawing games.

Not losing a star player like Youri bumped it up but yes agree we missed out on a RW which was much needed. 

[adejo92]

It's impossible to say because thus far, our new signings are either injured or on the bench waiting to be integrated. 

 

We haven't signed a 'Tielemans' or for that matter, any 'First name on the team sheet type players.

 

Ultimately,  our first 11, when all fit, is spot on for us in terms of infrastructure,  finance & targets. The thing we needed to strengthen was squad depth and that's exactly what we have done.

Edited 31 August 2021 by adejo92

[VLC86]

Difficult to say on the current day but you can’t deny that the squad is now much stronger and that’s what we needed.

 

The starting 11 will improve by having competition for places which will push them on but when we get injuries we have much better options to slot in.

[Blanchflower78]

I think it has. As others eluded to, difficult to know exactly as new signings generally seen very few minutes. Older heads appear to be trusted quickly, younger need time. I fully expect Lookmam to sit on the bench for the first month. As fans you want a new man to instantly improve your starting 11 and hit ground running. Not always the case with ours 

[majaco]

When all are fully fit, we are really strong in 10 positions (rw remains the problem) but we were last year too.  We have quality back up in all positions now (ironically our rw back up is more than adequate even if the first choice isn,t).  While our best 11 (who we have not had the chance to see this season or last) has not improved, it is hard to work out exactly who would be in the first team.

[sdb]

XI hasn't really changed has it? It's not been weakened (injuries aside) though.

 

The squad is now stronger in depth.

[420Hashish]

No, we still have Perez

[tickler28]

Same starting XI aint it?

[UHDrive]

Squad game these days. Having Soumare and KDH in midfield to compliment tielemans and Ndidi will be of massive value as will Bertrand as LB who can tutor Thomas. We've resolved striker issues so it's just the wingers to tidy up.

[Sunbury Fox]

Things can change of course (form, formation being played, etc) but if everyone was fit (some chance, I know!), I think BR would see the following as our very best XI, with the main back up player for each position in brackets. Apart from RW, you have to say the squad looks strong.

 

Schmeichel (Ward)

 

Ricardo (Castagne)

Fofana (Soyuncu)

Evans (Vestergaard)

Justin (Bertrand)

 

Ndidi (Soumaré)

Tielemans (KDH)

 

Perez (Albrighton)

Maddison (Iheanacho)

Barnes (Lookman, assuming he signs)

 

Vardy (Daka)

[Muzzy_Larsson]

Too early to say imo, Christmas would be the best time to make a balanced assessment.