Dawes with Cloke were being named the twin towers at the start of last season and the best 2 key forward combo in the game. Dawes dipped a little then got injured. Macaffer battled injuries the entire year as well. So yes, they're better than what they produced in 2011.Agree with most of your post. WE have several players with question marks going into the season and very little obvious depth to replace them . In addition to your list , I would also add Dawes and Macaffer. Are they any better than the ordinary footballers they looked like last year? Dawes in particular needs to lift his paltry goal average.
Tarrant also has the flexibility of playing small so it's not too much of an issue with Brown & Reid also in the side. Last year there were games where it looked like we might have been stretched as well. Hopefully that's not an issue in 2012.