02-08-2018, 02:43 PM
Looking back over the years it is very difficult to honestly say that this team will secure a play-off position.
I don't think Karanka has the same siege mentality in him as Billy Davies who dragged an average squad into the play-offs.
It certainly looks on paper to be the most balanced squad we've had since promotion back into the Premiership, round pegs in round holes and all that.
It also looks on paper to be the most technically gifted e.g. Carvalho v Majewski, Dias v McCleary, Goncalves v Anderson
Upfront it's on a par Grabban v Earnshaw, what Grabban lacks in dynamism he gains in presence, Dele v Murphy par for the course, just Brereton is an unkown.
Defensively I think Morgan, Wilson, Chambers, Shorey and Gunter had more about them than the current defensive line.
The midfield does look stronger this time round; Waston/Colback/Gueddy/Bridcutt v McGugan/Cohen/McKenna/Moussi
I don't want to get ahead of myself, the teams around us are a lot stronger too.
Looking back though we have faced oblivion on a few occasions, that should not be a problem this season.
2019 5 Karanka
2018 17 Warburton Karanka
2017 21 Montanier Warburton
2016 16 Freedman Williams
2015 14 Pearce Freedman
2014 11 Davies Brazil
2013 8 O'Driscoll McLeish Davies
2012 20 McLaren Cotterill
2011 6 Davies
2010 3 Davies
2009 19 Calderwood Davies
I don't think Karanka has the same siege mentality in him as Billy Davies who dragged an average squad into the play-offs.
It certainly looks on paper to be the most balanced squad we've had since promotion back into the Premiership, round pegs in round holes and all that.
It also looks on paper to be the most technically gifted e.g. Carvalho v Majewski, Dias v McCleary, Goncalves v Anderson
Upfront it's on a par Grabban v Earnshaw, what Grabban lacks in dynamism he gains in presence, Dele v Murphy par for the course, just Brereton is an unkown.
Defensively I think Morgan, Wilson, Chambers, Shorey and Gunter had more about them than the current defensive line.
The midfield does look stronger this time round; Waston/Colback/Gueddy/Bridcutt v McGugan/Cohen/McKenna/Moussi
I don't want to get ahead of myself, the teams around us are a lot stronger too.
Looking back though we have faced oblivion on a few occasions, that should not be a problem this season.
2019 5 Karanka
2018 17 Warburton Karanka
2017 21 Montanier Warburton
2016 16 Freedman Williams
2015 14 Pearce Freedman
2014 11 Davies Brazil
2013 8 O'Driscoll McLeish Davies
2012 20 McLaren Cotterill
2011 6 Davies
2010 3 Davies
2009 19 Calderwood Davies