Nothing wrong with being positive. But how realistic? Carroll vs Rooney? Henderson vs Lampard? This is what we hope for, but they are not even close yet. I fear we need to see that greatness in them to justify our buys.
Let's look at our situation. We have scored 29 goals in 25 games. Last season Maxi, Kuyt and Torres, playing for half a season, got more than that for us. Improvement? We have deliberately decided to play Downing over Maxi. SD's contribution is similar to Jova's and Cole's, nothing more. Maxi's is better, even this season. Kuyt's role has also decreased. Replaced with what improvement? What has Henderson really done that Spearing couldn't have done? With Lucas out, it can be argued that Spearing has the more important role of the two. Is Adam such an improvement on Meireles? None of Suarez and Carroll have reached Torres goalscoring level from last season. His half season, under a really bad period. Those two are our record buys. Certainly key players. Contribution? As a team, we are in a similar league position to last year. Everything points to us being less of an attacking threat and this is where we have spent the most. We have not climbed up the table, despite having that dreadful start last year. to be honest, it is very hard to measure the progress.
Take just a slightly harsher look at things, forget all that great promise for the future (that we take for granted) for a minute and review where we are now. None of Downing, Coates, Henderson and Carroll have taken up a leading role. They have played, but not been leaders. Of those attacking players, none has a record good enough for a starter at a top four club. Adam? He's not even safe to be in the team with Gerrard back and even less so with Lucas fit. Improvement?
Are they the players to lead us up the table? If so, they need to show a whole lot more than they have so far. If they are not, what does that make them? Players we need to improve on. Backups. Bench options.
We really could do with our Rooney and our Lampard.
maybe a handful of games where we've played poorly. a lot more were we've created but not finished and some were we've played well and won - we are certainly in a better place than we were
we have a superb defence - thats a nailed on back 5 with Carra, Kelly and Aurelio able to step in without any qualms and Coates, Flanagan, Robinson as further cover - its an almost ideal squad defensively.
In midfield - nailed on starters Lucas and Gerrard ... with Adam, Henderson, Spearing, Shelvey all as cover - 3 of them young and improving with plenty of potential , one with the wit to control the game - maybe not such a perfect blend as the defence but not to be sniffed at.
Up front - 2 nailed on starters - Suarez and Bellamy - with Carroll in the mix offering a different dimension and with possibly more potential than any of the others. For me we are missing a player here though especially with none of the youngsters banging on the door although its easy to forget just how young Carroll is - Kuyt is ok as a 4th option and Gerrard is a great option off the striker but for me we are one short.
out wide is basically the only place were we dont really have any nailed on certainties - personally I'd put Kuyt in that category but appreciate others don't - Downing, Rodriguez neither commands a place for me - again with the youngsters not showing they are ready this area of the team probably needs the most work especially given the ages of Maxi and Dirk.
- thats 9 first teamers ( 3 bought in by FSG) most if not everybody would want to start - with another 13-14 squad players of which half a dozen (again 3 brought in by FSG) could be first teamers sooner rather than later - I'm not sure thats 'a lot of work'
- the proverbial one or two players away from an excellent team.
then throw into the mix Skrtel and Johnson have both looked better players this season, an optimistic person would say that's down to the coaching staff and the same coaching staff should be able to work their magic on others in the squad.