What Team do you think is better?

[tufcbrett]

Looking at conversation on other boards and topics. I am intrested to see who everyone thinks was or is the better side. If you had a choice between both sides which one would you rather. I know people may swap players from each side i have put up. But you know who was in each team last or this season. This isnt a Ling vs Buckle topic. This is which side would you prefer or think is better.

I would agree that Last season squad was stronger but im intrested in the starting 11 that was avaliable.

[Gulliball]

I prefer what we have now. Players for player we can match the skill we had here last season, and in every other area we're streets ahead. For a start they were a collection on individuals, with half of them on loan. This time last year we were in the bottom half and looking over our shoulders before splashing out on the loanees. The current team also has players in their correct positions, and the formation is suited to the players we have here. 12 months ago it was a case of jam the best 11 on the pitch and see what happens.

At the moment, we're in the play-off mix on a smaller budget, with a much more likeable manager and squad, and crowds are up. So it's a simple decision really.

Footballing wise, I'd take Zebroski back from that side, and possibly Tomlin or Robinson if no-one else was available. But the thing about our current manager is that we don't have to pick our signings from a list of players the manager has signed in the past 2 seasons, so I'd back Ling to bring someone of better quality in from elsewhere.

[tufcbrett]

I do agree with you, im just intrested to see what everyone thinks. Will be intresting to see what Ling does in the loan market as i feel he will try and add Bodin and someone else or two new faces.

Everything you said i agree with, i wonder if anyone would have last seasons team.

[stevegull]

Should this be on the main board? Could get a decent debate on the go here...

[Yellow4life]

The new team only because of olejnik and bodin!

[ferrarilover]

Do you mean IF only because of Bobby and Bodin? Or do you genuinely mean that the only advantage you can see of the second team over the first is the aforementioned?

Matt.

[Trojan 67]

One of those teams (and we were repeatedly told at every opportunity) was constantly "over achieving" (b*ll*cks).

The best team is simply performing to its full potential.

[diamondgirl]

IMO. Bobby O is a better all round keeper than Scott B. Damon L is easily as good as Craig S, in midfield. Little Danny (Sorry Trojan) for me, stays in the game longer than Chris Z used too. Zeddy drifted in and out. Manse is much more effective in midfield rather than right back and Joe O is doing a great job at RB. Cant argue with the return than Billy K has had with Burton, probably because he is playing in his preferred position, but I like to have a bigger, stronger man up front, so my vote would go to our current centre forward, Rene.

[royalgull]

I think if you mixed the two sides up we'd get promoted! I'd still love to have Branston in the mix, even though he was never my favourite player I'd have Zebroski back and I really rated Tomlin and also Stanley.

Having said that none of those 4 would be guaranteed a start in the team, which would make our squad promotion material in my opinion. There would be more options to change things around both in terms of need or just to freshen it up than there is now.

But if I had to pick one team I'd go for the current one. Simply because there is a really good feeling about this group of players and we've got some really quality individuals that I think will go onto play higher levels than the solid League 2 side Buckle created.

[Bigman]

I voted for last season's team, largely because of the forward players, though I also massively rate Stanley and Branston. I just think that the front three of Zeb, Robinson and Tomlin could trade places well, and all had skill, speed, and a goal threat, whereas now (partly because the way we play has changed) our most likely source of a goal always seems to be Rene, so if he's missing or has an off day we're liable to struggle, whereas last year if one or two of the front three was firing we'd likely do well.

Having said that, I think this season's team has more unity, and is probably more effective and better at grinding out results, e.g. going unbeaten in the 4 games we've been without our top scorer, nicking it in the last minute against Barnet. Bobby is also MUCH better than Bevan.

[kingsgull]

I voted for last season's team, largely because of the forward players, though I also massively rate Stanley and Branston. I just think that the front three of Zeb, Robinson and Tomlin could trade places well, and all had skill, speed, and a goal threat, whereas now (partly because the way we play has changed) our most likely source of a goal always seems to be Rene, so if he's missing or has an off day we're liable to struggle, whereas last year if one or two of the front three was firing we'd likely do well.

Having said that, I think this season's team has more unity, and is probably more effective and better at grinding out results, e.g. going unbeaten in the 4 games we've been without our top scorer, nicking it in the last minute against Barnet. Bobby is also MUCH better than Bevan.

Didnt do too bad in our last 4 games without him 10 points from 12 but i do take your point and agree with you about Rene despite this...

[oxgull]

Just got the gut feeling that the squad is more balanced with players in the right positions and happy to be there. We have more points than at this stage last season so I am happy. Better than being down in the bottom 4 I suppose ^.^ ML seems to be a better man manager and motivator and, at least, he doesn't roll out a barrow load of excuses and the obligatory "We can take positives from this 0 - 5 result". No, for me, we are slowly building a useful and capable squad under ML. All being well we can look forward to a real push at auto promotion next season despite a chance of the play offs this time around. I don't think we are strong enough just yet. Just my opinion

[bobby93]

Perhaps the overall squad is weaker - the players we've got in our starting XI are playing to their maximum and it's been getting us the results, but a few injuries or dips in form and on paper we've got very little to come in and fill the gaps. That said, we've done well without Rene so maybe I'm wrong.

Our starting XI, however, is full of players playing in their strongest positions and playing confidently and as part of a well organised side, so I'd take this year over last.

[YellowMurphy]

For individual skill and talent, and a bigger goal threat, last season.
For a more concise, solid, team effort, this season.

I can't really separate them, though.

[Dave]

I think if this question had been asked before our opening game it would have had such a different result, Bobby O , came to us as a complete unkown quanity, as it turns out is no doubt better than Bevan, Ellis looks re-born and is contributing every bit as much now as Branno did last term, at the start of the season being honest i would have given Ellis away.

So many posters on here questioned Lingy's very sanity for giving Danny Stevens a new contract, Lingy has stuck by Danny and his confidence has grown with every match, before the season started i would have said, and i think many would agree that Lathrope was not fit to fill Stanley's boots, that said Damon has come in tot he team and just get's better with every match he play's, right now i do not think Stanley would get back into our team, so witht he benefit of hindsight many will say that this seasons team would shade it.

However i also have looked at it from the point of two different teams . playing different systems, and also agree that lasts easons front three jsut shade it for me, so i have voted for last seasons team.