With the current squad: midtable.
So far, we have a much better goalie, now, but in defence Roberts, currently, looks like he is replacing Shotton. Roberts left foot is just plain awful. He miskicks regularly, including a fumble in the 6 yard box and a miskick in the box to an opponent. If Grounds got up to this all and sundry, including me, would have plenty to say. Grounds, ever eager and always doing his best, remains years after his limitations have been clear. Genuinely, if Roberts replaces Shotton, as the left sided centre back, I think our defence may actually be worse off. NSue and Morrison are crucial for us.
In midfield, the creativity and penetration to get past their midfield, shift the game quickly into their half and feed the strikers remains largely absent. NDoye, Davis and Kieftenbeld offer power, pace and aggression but, so far, NDoye's passing does not seem to offer the creativity and guile we need.
As most people know, we have little penetration out wide. Maghoma works hard, always, scored a lovely goal on Saturday and, unlike many players in the team, does dribble with the ball which offers unpredictability. Cotterill, I have always had time for because he has sound technique and is calm under pressure and worked well with NSue last night, I thought. However, while they both would be great squad members we need more zip, skill, guile and penetration out wide. We need better to compete with the top 6. Perhaps with more creative players in the middle they would do better, but at the moment our middle four or five offers so little penetration. The quality of the passing from our midfield as a whole, remains sub-standard.
Juke did well last night, when he came on, but is not a prolific goalscorer, yet. Che has great potential and Vassell may do too, but a clinical finisher is essential.
At the moment we have a similar squad to last time round. We need better to be more competitive.