Admittedly we do have a small squad, but would many / any (Guthrie maybe, but he was only on loan?) of those who Megson deemed surplus to requirements have improved us, Anelka and Diouf chose to leave.

 

Taken from the 2007/8 team photo, the players inherited by Megson, the following is a list of those that have left.

 

http://www.bwfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Galle...1086034,00.html

 

Daniel Braaten

Heidar Helguson

Gerald Cid

Abdoulaye Meite

Blerim Dzemaili

Abdoulaye Faye (already departed before Megson arrived)

Ian Walker

Lubomir Michalik

Mikel Alonso

Johann Smith

Christian Wilhelmsson

Gary Speed

Ivan Campo

Daniel Guthrie

Andranik

Stelios

 

These have been replaced by

 

Gary Cahill

Fabrice Muamba

Matthew Taylor

Johan Elmander

Ebi Smolarek

Gretar Steinsson

Mustapha Riga

Sebastien Puygrenier

Ariza Makukula

Dan Shittu

Tamir Cohen

 

That means a loss of 7 players from the squad, but with the exception of Anelka I feel that all the new players are an improvement on those that they have replaced. Megson may have his critics on a number of issues, but I don't think his transfer activity can be included in that.

 

Tactically maybe another thing, though I think a large part of the problem maybe related to his backroom staff. There is no problem with a manager having negative tendencies provided there is someone working alongside who is more adventurous, unfortunately Steve Wigley is even more negative than Megson and I feel a large part of the problem. The negativity is highlighted by the fact that only 6 players have scored in the league this season and the top 2 in the assist column are defenders.

I think you are missing the point Clown.

 

We had a normal size squad BUT a fair few of them - Campo, Andranik, Cid, etc, etc, had either gone past their sell by date or were never good enough. So we needed to get better players in and ship the others out. BUT because we have over ?50 million pound's of debt we could not afford to get the good players in AND still have the others on our books.

 

So the players had to be got off the books first BEFORE we could get better in.

 

You've said that so many times now you believe it's a fact. It isn't.

 

Megson has spent more than enough, there is no way he was not allowed to bring one or two more in. He chose quality over quantity. I don't disagree with that but it was his choice.

 

Anyway, we have NOT got a small squad.

Andranik wasn't given a good enough chance at Bolton.To write off the match winning performance as a one off was foolish.Fulham have a superior midfield to Bolton,i doubt Nolan or McCann would get in it either.

Perhaps not ahead of bulard or Murphy but certainly ahead of Dickson Ethuhu and Leon andreason who played ahead of Andranik in a bulardless side.

 

 

Dzemaili's technique and ability to pass seen in this pre season in Greece are exactly what we need.Can't believe we let him go..

VazTe has been an unstopable goal machine in a few pre-seasons down the years too.

andranik wasn't a defensive midfielder was he?

 

he did impress in the wigan & chelsea away games that i went to, and presumbly the doncaster game too. not sure what happened to him once big sam left.

Andranik has been injured for most of this season.

Fulham have had a good run too, so why would they change the team around?

Looks like another one from our thin squad has just shown himself the exit door:

 

Ebi Smolarek's days at the Reebok appear numbered.

 

Smolarek didn't feature against United and the Polish international gave a rare interview to complain.

 

"I am angry that I did not come on for even one minute," he said. "I can't understand Gary Megson. I don't know why he did this to me.

 

"I was convinced that with the problems facing the team, injury and suspensions, there would be a place for me."

Id of kept none of them, and id get rid of this balloon unless its just gutter press talk

 

Ebi Smolarek's days at the Reebok appear numbered.

 

Smolarek didn't feature against United and the Polish international gave a rare interview to complain.

 

"I am angry that I did not come on for even one minute," he said. "I can't understand Gary Megson. I don't know why he did this to me.

 

"I was convinced that with the problems facing the team, injury and suspensions, there would be a place for me."

Must be an echo in here...

Must be an echo in here...

 

 

If we sign the ruski this week then let him go back for me hasn't made any kind of impression.