2022/23 Squad Composition

[Jay Bee]

Maybe this is an appropriate place for general observations over squad size? Or we can have a new thread on size of squad if you like.

A month ago we had 27 players with squad numbers plus Fosu, Thompson and Racic without.



5 of those were too young for the 25 man squad: Hickey, Lewis-Potter, Peart-Harris, Stevens and Cox. So we still had three more slots available if needed.

Since then we've sold or loaned Peart-Harris and all of the numberless trio (Fosu Racic Thompson) and we are apparently about to loan out Sorensen and Dervisoglu, but let's assume not Onyeka as that's gone quiet the last few days.

We've brought in Zanka again (number 13) and no other incomings expected.

Unless I've missed anything I think that means we have 25 players in contention but only 21 needed to be within the 25 man squad, the other four ( Hickey, KLP, Stevens, Cox) are young enough to be excluded, and there are four slots available.

Inevitable question - is this "enough"? Should we have 29 or 30 players available to call upon because we can?

It strikes me with a 20 man matchday squad it is going to be a tight group, with 18 of the 22 outfield players in each squad, even when everyone is fit, unless the B team fill bench spots.

 

[Mr Cynical]

We do also have the B teamers but there's only really Crama and Trevitt close, though we possibly feel Yarmolyuk will push for 1st team once settled?

Feels light to me though, particularly in attacking areas/midfield... Maybe we've still got someone coming in? Though it doesn't seem likely at this stage.

 

[TOXIC BEE]

We've brought in Zanka again (number 13) and no other incomings expected.

Damsgaard too

 

[JANORAK]

I think Trevitt wore 35 last week…

 

[Invipai]

It was looking to be our deepest squad in a long time I reckon in terms of depth of quality, so maybe we're shaving it down to more manageable levels. I don't think we're particularly light in many areas, maybe at RWF, but Canos can be the backup there.

Overall, we've trimmed the fat and added quality. It's hard not to think of us as a fair amount better than last season.

 

[Chipshop Bee]

The notion of, good footballers, languishing on the bench, being usurped by johnny come latelys. When they could be showing their worth, in the b team, on loan or at another club that recognises them. Is a downside of pragmatism.
Small matchday squad for me

 

[WARFIELD BEE]

The notion of, good footballers, languishing on the bench, being usurped by johnny come latelys. When they could be showing their worth, in the b team, on loan or at another club that recognises them. Is a downside of pragmatism.
Small matchday squad for me

We were exposed last year when we had quite a few injuries, I think that could easily happen especially given age and injury issues with
the older players and Ajer poss Norgaard.

 

[Chipshop Bee]

We were exposed last year when we had quite a few injuries, I think that could easily happen especially given age and injury issues with
the older players and Ajer poss Norgaard.

Then we could expand the B team/academy, as a feeder for the A team, on a weekly basis. We.know whose injured. So we staff the squad accordingly each week. It would make the B team more competitive. Canos, Ghoddos and Roerslev, could be bench warmers in a big squad. I'd like them to play more.

 

[WARFIELD BEE]

Then we could expand the B team/academy, as a feeder for the A team, on a weekly basis. We.know whose injured. So we staff the squad accordingly each week. It would make the B team more competitive. Canos, Ghoddos and Roerslev, could be bench warmers in a big squad. I'd like them to play more.

How many B teamers do you think are ready for the PL?

 

[fencer/bee]

If we stay lucky with injuries , we have enough players to work with , a tight knit squad can be an advantage , its only 13 more games until the January window opens

 

[londondude]

Also if we have 4 gaps in the squad, we can always bring in free agents if needed.

 

[Chipshop Bee]

How many B teamers do you think are ready for the PL?

Not many now but. If can put our serial benchers in it, then it would improve.

 

[Banana]

Also if we have 4 gaps in the squad, we can always bring in free agents if needed.

No we can't.

 

[londondude]

No we can't.

Out of contract - If a player is out of contract prior to the close of the window he is free to approach and sign for a club outside the transfer window, but the club must gain the approval of the Premier League Board.

Yes we can, as long as the Premier League approve it. Like we did with Zanka last season.

But you usually know right so willing to be proved wrong.

 

[Banana]

Out of contract - If a player is out of contract prior to the close of the window he is free to approach and sign for a club outside the transfer window, but the club must gain the approval of the Premier League Board.

Yes we can, as long as the Premier League approve it. Like we did with Zanka last season.

But you usually know right so willing to be proved wrong.

Zanka was signed before squad names had to be submitted.

 

[londondude]

Zanka was signed before squad names had to be submitted.

Ah makes sense. So in theory we can sign free agents before the squad list is to be confirmed?

 

[Les Beeavinu]

Zanka was signed before squad names had to be submitted.

I think if we have spare slots we can fill them can't we?

 

[Banana]

I think if we have spare slots we can fill them can't we?

Not after the squad list has been submitted (except in special circumstances e.g. no suitable keepers available)

 

[Banana]

Ah makes sense. So in theory we can sign free agents before the squad list is to be confirmed?

Yes but I believe this season's date for submission is much sooner than it was last season.

 

[Hippobee]

Will be the first season in BFC's history that we don't have a no. 9 taking to the pitch?

I wonder will we find out in due course that we were a lot closer to signing a forward than we might have thought? Why else leave such a significant number vacant, unless you're confident it will be filled?

 

[Miss Isabella]

We do also have the B teamers but there's only really Crama and Trevitt close, though we possibly feel Yarmolyuk will push for 1st team once settled?

Feels light to me though, particularly in attacking areas/midfield... Maybe we've still got someone coming in? Though it doesn't seem likely at this stage.

Yet again we are loaning out squad players,if we get an injury crisis we are screwed.
IMO Dervisoglu,Sorensen,Bidstrup should not be loaned out.

 

[AB]

Yet again we are loaning out squad players,if we get an injury crisis we are screwed.
IMO Dervisoglu,Sorensen,Bidstrup should not be loaned out.

I trust our management.

 

[Banana]

Last Season and This Season's squads compared

(I think I've done it right!)

 

[Bee(h)Iver]

I guess now the window is shut we turn our attention to getting players signed to new contracts. So who are the top priorities, whose unlikely to sign and who will be off at the end of the season.

As a starter I’d say assuming that Raya and Toney won’t extend, then getting Jensen and Dasilva extended must be top of the list.

 

[ziggys_human]

Last Season and This Season's squads compared

(I think I've done it right!)

View attachment 34895

did we finally offload fosu and valencia?

 

[Banana]

did we finally offload fosu and valencia?

Tariqe Fosu (Season loan to Stoke City)
Joel Valencia (Season Loan to De Graafscap)

 

[ChertseyBee]

I guess we’ll being seeing a fair bit of Trevitt, Yarmoliuk and Crama on the subs bench this season. Great opportunities for them.

 

[GABS]

.who are the top priorities, whose unlikely to sign and who will be off at the end of the season.

I'm consistently surprised that Ghoddos continues to be part of our Prem plans. Fair play to the lad though I guess.

 

[WARFIELD BEE]

I'm consistently surprised that Ghoddos continues to be part of our Prem plans. Fair play to the lad though I guess.

I think if we had interest in him we would have let him move on.

 

[Mr Cynical]

Last Season and This Season's squads compared

(I think I've done it right!)

View attachment 34895

Take out from this is we’ve def strengthened defensively and in goal. Looks a much stronger group. Midfield is pretty much as you were with Eriksen replaced by Damsgaard although Norgaard injury means we’re worse off in the short (hopefully) term although that could be balanced out by actually having JDS available. Up front we’ve added the excellent prospect KLP but otherwise as you were.

Backup remains pretty much the same group as last year really in Roerslev, Zanka, Onyeka, Ghoddos, Baptiste, Canos, Wissa though once everyone’s fit defensive options are stronger. I guess the hope is that that group have all improved after a seasons experience and can step up better than last season if needed.

With the size of the group and injuries/suspensions were likely to see the odd B teamer filling out the bench from time to time.

 

[jlove]

I'm consistently surprised that Ghoddos continues to be part of our Prem plans. Fair play to the lad though I guess.

I think Ghoddos is valuable to the squad and perhaps a reason why a number of bit-part players have been able to go out. He seems to have the football brain and ability to play in multiple positions with effect, to specific instructions. Recently, he's often been used as a left wing back but we've just seen him come on and done the job on the right. With 5 substitutes, that's got a high value.

 

[The Pipe]

Yet again we are loaning out squad players,if we get an injury crisis we are screwed.
IMO Dervisoglu,Sorensen,Bidstrup should not be loaned out.

Guess it all becomes something of a balancing act in keeping players happy but not playing them or sending them out on loan enabling them to develop and return better players that potentially could hold down regular places, or at least increase in value !!!

Injury crisis is something that can hit any club, yes we don’t have the depth of talent that the big guns can call upon but I would imagine the coaches have faith in the youngsters being able to cover cracks if called upon.

in an ideal world we would have 2 top players for every position however we are bottom feeders in this division with the lowest budget but capable of matching anyone ( probably except Man City unless Haarland is missing!!!!)

Strikes me that we are continuing our steady upward progress each window by improving the squad and not doing a Forrest who seem like kiddies in a sweet shop

we do things the Brentford way and in recent years it’s been bloody successful ???

 

[Beet Root]

Last Season and This Season's squads compared

(I think I've done it right!)

View attachment 34895

Charlie Goode is on the current squad list but no updates on his state of health and potential availability . Out of our plans last season and reportedly suffered knee cartilage damage when on loan at SheffUtd.

 

[Mr Cynical]

Charlie Goode is on the current squad list but no updates on his state of health and potential availability . Out of our plans last season and reportedly suffered knee cartilage damage when on loan at SheffUtd.

Would be v surprised to see him in a brentford shirt again

 

[SH]

Interesting to look at the three most recent summer transfer windows in terms of VFM/effectiveness to date:

2020 (£12m)
Ghoddos
Goode
Janelt
Toney

2021 (£30m)
Ajer
Onyeka
Peart-Harris
Wissa
Zanka

2022 (43m)
Hickey
Lewis-Potter
Damsgaard
Mee
Strakosha

Let's hope the 2021 cohort are just late developers.... ?

 

[Bumbling fool]

Interesting to look at the three most recent summer transfer windows in terms of VFM/effectiveness to date:

2020 (£12m)
Ghoddos
Goode
Janelt
Toney

2021 (£30m)
Ajer
Onyeka
Peart-Harris
Wissa
Zanka

2022 (43m)
Hickey
Lewis-Potter
Damsgaard
Mee
Strakosha

Let's hope the 2021 cohort are just late developers.... ?

2022 is already the best of the 3 and that's without really having had a chance to see what damsgaard and strakosha can do.

As for 2021 I still see a lot of potential in ajer and onyeka as they've offered glimmers of brilliance and have clear pitfalls that can be worked on. Zanka is a dependable squad player, wissas great off the bench as an impact sub, and peart Harris is still only 20. So I wouldn't be too down on them just yet!

 

[PGH_Bee]

2022 is already the best of the 3 and that's without really having had a chance to see what damsgaard and strakosha can do.

As for 2021 I still see a lot of potential in ajer and onyeka as they've offered glimmers of brilliance and have clear pitfalls that can be worked on. Zanka is a dependable squad player, wissas great off the bench as an impact sub, and peart Harris is still only 20. So I wouldn't be too down on them just yet!

Agree. Mee has been great but Hickey by himself has been worth almost all of the transfer fees paid this summer by himself. I think that within a few years Damsgaard and KLP will both be foundational cornerstones of the attack, as well. We can only wait to see what they are cooking up for the next windows

 

[jlove]

I think being in the Premier League, having to compete with the costs of signing players, has forced us to move early on players (always exceptions, like Ben Mee ). We need to adjust our expectations about some of our recruits, very few instant delivery of the Tony Thorpe variety.

 

[brighton bee]

Interesting to look at the three most recent summer transfer windows in terms of VFM/effectiveness to date:

2020 (£12m)
Ghoddos
Goode
Janelt
Toney

2021 (£30m)
Ajer
Onyeka
Peart-Harris
Wissa
Zanka

2022 (43m)
Hickey
Lewis-Potter
Damsgaard
Mee
Strakosha

Let's hope the 2021 cohort are just late developers.... ?

It’s interesting that our best/most valuable players (Toney, Raya, Norgaard, Henry) were all bought before we got to the Prem.

We’ve certainly added some quality players and will continue to do so. But it’s a lot harder when we’re competing with other top sides with bigger budgets clearly.