Frollowing on from CAFCTrevs thread comparing the current squad to 2009/10 I thought id open up a similar debate about 11/12. The General consensus on CAFC Trevs thread was that this squad was stronger than 9/10 but weaker than our championship winning outfit. However, im not so sure.,
Below is a list of the current squad, with there 2011/12 equivalents, along with appearances and goals from that season.
Now Then (Apps/goals)
Declan Rudd ===> Ben Hamer (42 / 0 )
Dillon Phillips ===> John Sullivan (8 / 0 )
Chris Solly ===> Chris Solly (48 / 0 )
Morgan Fox ===> Rhoys Wiggins (47 / 1 )
Adam Chickson ===> Cedric Evina (9 / 0 )
Kevin Foley ===> Andy Hughes (20 / 0 )
Jason Pearce ===> Michael Morrison (50 / 5 )
Jorge Teixeira ===> Matt Taylor (43 / 1 )
Patrick Bauer ===> Leon Cort (17 / 0 )
Ezri Konsa ===> Gary Doherty (6 / 0 )
Harry Lennon ===> Yado Mambo (2 / 0 )
Roger Johnson
Andrew Crofts ===> Danny Hollands (46 / 8 )
Johnnie Jackson ===> Johnnie Jackson (39 / 13 )
Fredrik Ulvestad ===> Dale Stephens (31 / 4 )
Ahmed Kashi ===> Bradley Pritchard (25 / 1 )
El-Hadji Ba ===> Mikel Alsonso (1 / 0 )
Oliver Muldoon
Ricky Holmes ===> Danny Green (37 / 3 )
Ademola Lookman ===> Scotty Wagstaff (30 / 5 )
Jordan Botaka ===> Ruben Bover (2 / 0 )
Nicky Ajose ===> Brad Wright-Phillips (45 / 22 )
Josh Maginnis ===> Yann Kermorgant (39 / 12 )
Lee Novak ===> Paul Hayes (22 / 3 )
Karlan Ahearne-Grant ===> Jason Euell (16 / 2 )
Brandon Hanlan ===> Danny Haynes (14 / 2 )
Josh Umerah ===> Leon Clarke (7 / 0 )
??????? ===> Michael Smith (1 / 0 )
??????? ===> Tosan Popo (1 / 0 )
What do you think?
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Comments
So basically, yes, some of the player comparisons are favourable, but it's just not the same, and the feeling around the place can make all the difference to a club's fortunes.
I think the overall makeup of the 2011/12 squad was much better. I don't think many of our current crop could dislodge the best 2011/12 team. Possibly one of the centre backs ahead of Matt Taylor, but that's about it.
Jackson and Solly are still around albeit a few years older.
I do agree the 11/12 team is better than the current team but not by a huge difference although the togetherness and team ethic was significantly higher in 11/12 too
11/12 also had Darel Russell who was a Crofts type player
Benson was the player we started with, he only left when we got Clarke, while Haynes only came in after Christmas so probably shouldn't be included!
I pinched the players and stats from this thread: http://forum.charltonlife.com/discussion/72742/new-article-the-champions-of-league-1-2011-12-where-are-they-now
The point I was trying to make was relative importance and strength in depth. Though the comparison isn't as valid now the loan window doesn't exist, though from memory Powell didn't use it that season
The entire atmosphere around the club and within the players and coaching staff back in 11/12 were light years away from what we have right now, and it played a big part in dragging us through that season.
I'd probably add this to that list too...
Russell Slade ===> Chris Powell
The juries out on that one. It'll take a hell of a lot for RS to emulate the great man in what he did that season.
up front Phillips and Kermorgant.Hamer in goal not forgeting Solley and Wiggins wing backs.
All the above players played in 39 games or more.
Can not see many of this seasons squard getting near this at all.
Everyone played for the shirt that season and the pride it gave Chris Powell could be seen by all fans alike.
Hard to see even the Jackson and Solly of now being preferred to that year.
Management also better!
Record clean sheets from that season.
Also, Solly was arguably better than he is now and Wiggins was absolutely sensational that season ... easily better than Fox.
Morro and Cort/Taylor were sublime as well.
I do agree that it is closer than you would expect though. 11/12 was a much tougher divison ... it just goes to show how good a manager CP is really.
No.
Some of this is on paper as I have yet to learn everything about our current lot but to hazard a guess:
Rudd (all indications point to him being the best keeper in the division)
Holmes
Lookman
One of Bauer / Pearce / Tex to partner Morro
So mixed team of:
Rudd
Solly
Wiggins
Morro
Pearce
Holmes
Jackson (2011 edition)
Stephens
Lookman
BWP
Kermorgant
People putting Stephens in are obviously forgetting he wasn't that great until 2013/14 season.
Kermorgant & BWP are proven. Magennis & Ajose are not.
Midfield is also weaker and we have poor home support this time.
Slade came in late and was still "miles away" a fee weeks before the season started.
Powell's squad was better IMHO but it doesn't really matter.
Slade doesn't have to do better than Powell did in 11/12, he just has to take us up.
Players with International + Premiership (or comparable) experience
2011/2012 - Wright-Phillips, Jackson, Doherty, Euell, Cort, Kermogant
2016/2017 - Rudd, Johnson, Foley, Teixeira, Bauer, Jackson, Crofts, Kashi, Ulvestad, Botaka, Magennis
In 2011-12 we also had Elliott, Hamer, Wiggins and Stephens at various points in the campaign, all of whom went on to better things. Today we have Lookman who is expected to leave at some point.
Otherwise the remainder of both sets of players are made up of hard working, reliable types......some better than others, but most ok for this level.
So, 2016-17 has the edge I'd say. However, standards have risen in the last 5 years so automatic promotion cannot be assumed.