Position by Position, have we improved (so far)?

[MillersTime]

Too early (unfortunately), to evaluate the whole squad, but I think we can have a fair crack at a good proportion of the squad. Simply put, have we improved from the last time we were in the Championship? Position by position. We can always compare some positions when newbies come in.

Anyway.

GKs
Blackman and Viktor vs Viktor and Vickers

RWBs
Harding - Billy Jones - Olosunde vs Kioso - Harding - Ogbene

CBs
Wood - Ihiekwe - Angus - Robertson - Harding vs Wood - Humphreys - McCart - Harding - Hall - Odoffin

LWBs
Giles - T Clarke - Mattock vs Ferguson - Bramall - Bola

DMs / CMs / AMs / Wide Men - Basically all midfielders plus wingers who don't fit into the system easily (Jozefzoon)
S MacDonald - Barlaser - Crooks - Wiles - Lindsay - Wing - Sadlier - Jozefzoon vs Barlaser - Wiles - Rathbone - Lindsay - Odoffin

STs
Smith - Ladapo - Hirst vs Eaves - Kelly - Washington - Kayode

I have included Wes and Odoffin in two separate positions as I think it is fair to say PW could well use them in both. Didn't put Ogbene in the strikers but happy to if people think the same logic applies. Probably should thinking about it.

I think some can be best guesses as we have high hopes for some but you don't find out their weaknesses until the season begins and we get a proper look. Rose tinted somewhat.

[MillersTime]

For me:

GKs - Improved. Viktor has improved and Vickers is much better than Blackman imo.
RWBs - Improved. Wes has improved, very confident Kioso will be better than Olosunde and Ogbene better than a sicknote.
CBs - Cautious optimism but time will tell. Interesting.
LWBs - Improved (Giles still the best of the players individually) but the 3 now are better combined.
Midfielders - One good addition from being improved. As of right now, very tight one. Ollie in but we have lost Crooks and Wing who were good for us.
STs - Like to think we have but honestly, not sure yet. Help will tip the balance, hopefully.

[Pattylallacks2]

Overall, I think so, but we won't know until the team has had time to gel

[avondalemiller]

Overall, I think so, but we won't know until the team has had time to gel

Yeah i agree Patty, the time it takes to play as a team could play a big part. The 1st few home games look the "easiest" we could have, so it's important we play well in these and get some points on the board, some of these teams will share our concern of relegation so it's a chance to take points off them.

[pip_y]

Short on strikers with the injuries but overall I think we are stronger.

[millertop]

Can’t compare fairly because they weren’t proper wingbacks

Now we’ve fetched wingbacks in then we should be better but I’ve not seen us play so ….

[caytonmiller]

On paper you would have to say yes but CB is the unknown. All 4 CB performed the last time we were in the championship.
Smith Vs eaves I would think are about comparable. Kelly/Washington. Who knows.
Midfield is about same

[MillersTime]

Can’t compare fairly because they weren’t proper wingbacks

Now we’ve fetched wingbacks in then we should be better but I’ve not seen us play so ….

The fact that they weren't proper wingbacks is just another ingredient to take into consideration when asking if we are improved. Fair or not, those are the guys who played there so they are the guys you have to compare to. The comparison is fair because of that, what is unfair is asking them to do an unnatural role.

[frogmiller]

I think that throughout the club we are better in all departments. It will be a long season of fear and joy.

[millertop]

The fact that they weren't proper wingbacks is just another ingredient to take into consideration when asking if we are improved. Fair or not, those are the guys who played there so they are the guys you have to compare to. The comparison is fair because of that, what is unfair is asking them to do an unnatural role.

So what if we refer back to using wingers in the formation and the wingbacks have to play that role?

We can’t compare until we’ve maybe seen a few games and seen what formation and how the players work.

Hopefully we have improved but Warney isn’t convincing me yet