Agree about consistency/playing in patches, but I don't agree with the 'should be better with the squad we have' argument that gets bought up.
On here alone, different posters are saying we need to prioritise different areas of the team for upgrading - that in itself suggests our squad isn't that great. I've said a few times, I really don't think our squad is as good as many make out, we have a fair few younger players who could in the future be really good but right now? Hardly any you players you could hang your hat on for having consistently good performances, when your most senior player and captain is non existent for large parts of games that in itself is a worry. Looking at it individually:
Vicario - Decent shot stopper, but couldnt say he's that reliable
Porro - Great going forward but defensively suspect
Romero - Nowhere near WC, and nothing to do with Ange. He has been making these fudge ups well before Ange got here, on his day great but not consistent
VDV - We all love him, but defensively he has made plenty of errors. Yes his pace gets him out of trouble but he can't always count on that. Still young with amazing potential though
Udogie - Great potential but for a long time now he hasn't been particularly good.
Bissouma/Bentancur/Sarr - All the same problem, good at some things not good at others. None consistent enough and none at a level good enough for where we want to be. Although will say, Bentancur was close to being there pre injury
Maddison - Same as above really, on his day great quality but not consistent
Kulu - Has been our best performer, usually can rely on him to put in a good performance and high effort levels
Werner - Ideal Ange type winger, has pace and can beat his man. But of course can't finish so not the desired output
Son - Our captain, not inspirational and can't even lead by example on the pitch anymore having lost his burst of pace. Can't beat a man out wide, if only we could combine his finishing with Werner's other assets
Odobert - Looks to have good potential to me, but at this stage that's all it is
Solanke - Like him a lot, and he performs to a good standard now
Johnson - Still feel there could be more to come from him, and at least shows some decent numbers statistically. But we don't play to his strengths and doesn't impact games enough
Richi - I like him and would be great back up/rotation option but can't stay fit
Then we have a handful of young players who have really good potential, but require experience meaning there are going to be lots of bumps in the road for them and us.
So at least to me when I look at our squad I'm not sure why anyone would expect us to be anything more than challenging around the top 6, especially with having Europe aswell? I don't see us with any real top stars to drag us across the line in games we are poor, we have some good players and some really talented ones who arent there yet but I do think some people are overestimating where we are with this squad right now. And that is not me suggesting Ange doesn't have areas he can improve on, but I believe this is a journey where we still have a way to go with a clear long term vision in terms of our recruitment and this will be the case regardless of who is in charge......
