Horses for courses and all that, but I reckon our strongest 11 would be something like this. I'm struggling with the bench though, tough to leave Gooch and Wyke out. J. M C. M, Willis, flanagan O9, Leadbitter, Embleton, Hume McGeady, Watmore Grigg Bench: bruge, Ozturk, oviedo, Robson, mcgeouch, maguire, kimpi
It's good to see that you've omitted the Honeymonster . . . . all of the players mentioned are better than him, our captain (!) but he'll probably get a game ahead of one of them We still need some 'new blood' and I think that it's a bit early to predict a strongest team . . . . I'm still hoping for a bit of excitement with another couple of 'newbies'
I think Magurie has to start if fully fit. He's got that bit about him, little bit of (league one) magic. I don't think the team in the OP wins the league either, I think it's light.
Haha, was actually unintentional! I don't think he's a bad player, but he needs to earn his spot imo. Making him captain was a mistake, simply because it limits our options. We have way too many options in CM, we really need to trim.
I don't regard him as a bad player, either, Dan, but I do believe what I said in my earlier post . . . . and you're right about him being captain limiting our options I'm not excited yet, and I'm still awaiting a (third division level) 'marquee' signing to change that
We have ‘too many players’ in CM, we certainly don’t have ‘too many options’. I still think we are more than good enough to go up, due to the abysmal standard of the league.
McLaughlin I McLaughlin II Willis Flanagan Hume O'Nien Robson Watmore McGeady Embleton Grigg Throw the kids in and see how they do, might set the foundation for the rest of the season if they hit the ground running. From what I hear they're good enough. I'd give McGeady a go through the middle, he's not getting any younger and he never gets crosses in anyway. More dangerous around the box and he can still get wide and swap with Watmore and Embleton when they want.
Unless we get rid of one or two, especially Oviedo then we won't see any more recruits, the management have already stated it's one out one in at the moment. Anybody got any ideas if clubs are sniffing around Oviedo as purely for his wages he has to go. Personally I think we'll kick off with this squad.
I’d give McGeady a try central, he’s always looking to shoot anyway and he’s got the ability to step in and hit them. He could be dynamite there at this level, and that could salvage the massive CM issue. Watmore can go into McGeady position and then we’ve got 2 players with a bit of magic, who could also rotate, it’s an idea I really like mate. Embleton looks like he’s ready to step up, only change I’d make is I think be fine to sit Grant in there with O’Nien as he’s got a great ending to cover Grants lack of legs. You’re team is very close to the best I could see us putting out as things stand. I don’t think we will shift Oviedo, which is a strange one as he’s a very capable player at least one level up. His salary may well be far worse than we thought.
I think three at the back is here to stay. For the time being at least. That means midfield becomes a bit more complicated because I'm not sure there's an obvious first choice central pairing. The two sitting behind the striker is also a difficult choice as there are several that could play there and ideally you'd want try and squeeze McGeady, Maguire and Watmore in to the team. The only solution I can see to that is to give Watmore a go as the central striker. I think his game there would be a bit more like Maja's and I remain convinced that his absence is what did for us after January.
I'd like to get Leadbitter in there but I'm leaning towards pace and physicality through the middle, Grant is a quality player and takes a good set piece but I didn't think he did brilliantly last season and I'd give Robson a try.
I wouldn’t argue too far against that, but I think Grant will be better with some legs alongside them, Luke certainly gives that. I feel like Robson will grow into the season, rather than be first XI from day one. I’m quite excited about the potential of Embleton, having seen him in the England youth setup and seeing what he achieved at Grimsby last season. I know a couple Grimsby lads and lasses, and they are a surprisingly demanding lot, it’s easy to look at some of the goals he scored but he was apparently much more than that for them.
4 at the back? I'd prefer to go 3, Willis looks like he can make it work, he's got the pace and quick recovery. But if we go 4 at the back, your team looks good.
I like this set-up. we have more options/creativity up top which we need. They can be swapped around with Maguire. O'Nien, Robson, Grant, Power & Dylan can rotate/compete for spots in the midfield. McLaughlin & Hume have enough in their tanks to get up and down the flanks. I'd still like to have another striker up top as an alternative to Grigg.
Not a bad shout actually, Dunc was a striker when we signed him if I recall correctly. Could definitely be an option in an area where we are praying for Grigg finding something he may no longer have.
I'd try Gooch in the middle. Last season every team we played had legs in the middle of the park and we didn't. He's got the work rate and is strong for a small guy. As much as I like Grant he was poor last season and I think his role would be last 20 mins to unlock a defence or slow the game down depending on what we need.
McLaughlin I McLaughlin II Willis Flanagan Hume O'Nien Robson Watmore McGeady Embleton Grigg I like this team a lot, and suggested McGeady moved into a central role a while back, the team looks more balanced with him there for all the reasons Nacho gave. I would also move Hume forward in a fluid 3/5//2 with McGeady just behind Grigg, although for me Grigg is on borrowed time and I would personally prefer a new face, Watmore is my choice but its asking a lot of the lad atm, and maybe stick Maguire up there if Grigg continues to disappoint. We certainly cant give him another half season from what we have seen so far. This line up could quickly revert to 5/3/2 and this should be worked on tirelessly in training, until its second nature, maybe a new coach is as important as a new striker, especially if you the analise the goal conceeded last week in which not just Hume was to blame but the organisation left a lot to be desired. Stick with this pattern of play, drill the players to suit, and we should do a Luton this season no bother, The squad is already assembled but a better striker option would not go amiss.
I’m not fully against giving him a try there, but my personal thought are he’s at his best trying to go past on the outside of people, whether that translates to CM I ain’t sure. I can’t recall him cutting inside much.
I agree he's at his best going at people and for me last season until Christmas he was our best player then he either went badly off the boil or opposition teams worked him out. I still think there's a player in there just trying to accommodate him. A free role could be good for him butvweve got the likes of Mcgeady and Maguire for that who I wouldn't say he's better or more creative than. Think the big thing we didn't have last season was players bursting through the middle. Power was probably the one that did try it but didn't have the pace to break lines. I want a team full of pace and power none of this tippy tapper possession based crap it doesn't work in this league unless you have some serious quality which sadly we don't have.
Anyway what I'd like to see is Big John C mc Willis Flanagan ONien Robson Gooch Hume Mcgeady Watmore Grigg Bench Burge Ozturk Power Wyke Maguire Leadbitter Embleton I'd replace Grigg with Wyke if he can learn to use his size to his advantage. Plenty options on the bench to change depending on the situation. Obviously we all know Honeyman will be in there somewhere which I'm not against just think he needs to really step up to the plate early doors and not go hiding.
