I think it is safe to say that CP's preferred line-up is as follows - Hamer, Solly, Taylor, Morro, Wiggins, Green, Hollands, Stephens, Jackson, BWP, Kermit But if we could only take six of the eleven to the Championship, and leave five behind, who would you choose? Who do you really rate as players of higher potential, and who do you think is doing a job for League One only? Personally, I would leave out Hamer, Green, Hollands, Stephens and BWP. Contentious? It was difficult to leave out Hollands and Stephens (I had chosen Jackson and Taylor first), but I just don't see them cutting it at a higher level. Besides, I can see our back four doing well in the Championship and had to leave them untouched. It is a really tough decision to make. What do you guys reckon?
The back four as a single unit and Yann are shoe ins. Then it's a toss up between Jacko, Stephens and BWP. Jacko edges it for me; he has the technical ability and experience to play regularly in the Championship. BWP's goal ratio in that league isn't the best correct me if I'm wrong. And we don't need any passengers. I disagree that Stephens and Hollands won't be able to hack it though; I have every faith in them but I admit I would look to sign a more experienced central midfielder or just place Jacko there.
I would leave Hamer, Tayor, Green, Hollands and BWP. Taylor is a good player, but he may not be championship material and think we could get a better defender. Green and BWP inconsistant. Hamer looks like he could make a mistake often. 5th player hard so I went with Hollands as again we could probably get a better central midfield player.
Tough one - but take... Solly,Wiggins,Taylor,Morro,Kermy and BWP. Was a tough decision between Taylor (as i think we could get a better defender , even though i have him as POTY so far !) and Stephens. Kermy will be a revelation in Champs i think. Seems that everyone thinks that the midfiel is our Achilles Heel at present - have to agree !
a fit and on form BWP is easily good enough for the champs. hamer....wait and see how he develops. i think he will end up a PL keeper by his mid 20s. with or without us! taylor would be a worry...but he has earnt the chance to test himself. of the current squad...id say russell, hughes, clarke, waggy and hayes just wont cut it....i think the rest deserve a chance at least
Earlier on in the season I would have plumped for Stephens and Hollands in the middle. They looked a different class until Dale's absence, but they haven't gelled since. You are right, though, Stu. The midfield is a worry. I think it needs freshening up a bit. Perhaps a run-out for Waggy and Evina will spice up the competition for places?
I wouldn't take Kermi to Champ, he seems a bit of a 'one trick pony' to me "give me a long ball on the right wing and I'll knock it on for ya" basically.
This is a good question. I'm stuck because, up until recently, I'm assumed that virtually all of this team (and several others in the squad) could cut it at Championship level. I'm beginning to reassess that view the longer our "we're playing shyte but we're winning/drawing" phase goes on and the more restricted our first team gets (Hughes, Evina or Hayes anyone!!!). I think the higher standards will suit some of our squad - a little more time to play and (potentially) a littleless kick and rush should allow us to see the best of Stephens and Green. Au contraire,I wonder whether our immense defense will find it harder against better sides who play more to feet. Or then again, maybe I have a rose tinted view of the Champpionship - I recall it had some piss-poor teams in it last time we were there. I still incline to the view that we will keep more of this team together than not next year, but if I have to answer the question as it was asked, I'd leave out Hamer (if we can sign a better keeper which is by no means a Given - see what I did there? clever huh!), Hollands (unlucky, but too slow), JJ (tough call, but not sure he has the legs for a higher level), BWP (again tough call, but he's turning into Torres) and err, thats it really. I'm stuck
I'd like to see CP give Hayes another chance, looking back I don't think he did much wrong and in my opinion might bring out the best in BWP. They worked well together, a long shot but it's worth a go! Our strikers have not scored since Boxing Day? I think our midfield needs something, commentators said on Saturday that it was missing I have to agree. Regarding who not too take, Wagstaff definitely not Championship level. Regarding everyone else I'm just not sure at the moment.
Now remember at the start of the season I said come feb our team would be Sullivan, Someone new, court, morrison, evina, green, Hollands, Alonso, Jackson, someone new and Hayes!! Rightfully I got pelters! BUT BWP has only scored goals in the 14 months up till Novemebre last year. Look at his career record without those 14 months. He was on Plymouths bench at the start of last season! For me the only players that I would pick, from the current team in a promotion chasing championship team would be: Solly, Wiggins, Morrison and Hollands. I would add that a large number of other players would be good squad players, but wouldn't be in my first choice team. I would keep Hamer, Taylor, Evina, Stephens, Green, Jackson, Kermo, Hayes, Smith and Haynes. Can someone explain to me the point of having Bover and Popo at the club? Waggy, Hughes, Euall, Doc, Mambo and Clarke would all have to be moved out. Pritchard, Alonso, BWP and Court I would keep to add depth to the squad, but would sell at the right price or if something better came avalible at a price we could afford. So if back to back promotions are on the cards, a lot of new players are required. I would proritese them as. One striker, left winger, central midfeilder, another striker, back up right back, center half, right winger. That would replace the six I would let go, plus sell one of the maybe's and have a much better balanced squad.
Sorry that I'm breaching the original numbers rule, but for me if we go up to the Championship: Traffic Light System : Key player in the Championship Decent Squad player Not good enough Undecided Ben Hamer Andy Hughes Cedric Evina Johnnie Jackson Michael Morrison Matt Taylor Danny Green Dale Stephens Paul Hayes Bradley Wright-Phillips Scott Wagstaff Gary Doherty John Sullivan Danny Haynes Yado Mambo Rhoys Wiggins Jason Euell Bradley Pritchard Chris Solly Ruben Bover Danny Hollands Mikel Alonso Tosan Popo Freddie Warren Leon Cort Conor Gough Nick Pope Jordan Cousins Callum Harriott Harry Osbourne Michael Smith Joe Pigott Yann Kermorgant Darel Russell Leon Clarke
So you don't think Jacko would even make a decent squad player?! Shockin juss shockin... I've honestly never disagreed with someone so much on 606/not606 before!!!
I think Taylor could make the step up another level, granted he's not Morrison's standard but he is still capable, may only be for a year or so but I reckon he could do it, they make a good team, but hey it's opinions right? Taylor may only become back up for a new CB if we got one but I still think he might be able to do it, he's still good in the air, with his tackling, his position and that, granted i've not seen as many games as I used to but what I have seen he is capable of stepping up
Kish, you may be right actually, Jackson could be okay as a squad player. I actually think that Taylor would be more capable of making the step-up than Morrison. Whilst Morrison is clearly the more talented of the two, I put this down to his mobility, yet he is also more prone to the occasional error, none of which have yet been capitalised upon by League One strikers, but I don't feel Championship strikers would be as forgiving. That said, I'd keep our back four as it is when/if we get promoted.
This defence has been the absolute highlight for me this year. They have all been superb and deserve the chance to test their abilities in the Championship. My concern is that we lack back-up for the full-backs. I like Hughes, but would he be mobile enough as a right-back? Does Evina have the nous to defend and attack in equal measure? I do like the look Cort when he has played, though. But an extra centre-back may be handy.
Ponders, from what I've seen of Evina I think he'd be decent enough LB cover, in fact after the first few weeks of this season I still felt he was better than Wiggins. As for CB cover, I completely agree, and feel that we are privileged to have a player as good as Cort bench-warming - I personally believe he could walk straight into any other side in this division. The only problem with bringing in another CB for cover would be that they probably wouldn't be content being 4th choice, however having seen how well Mambo played in the cup against a strong Reading side, I'd say he is (hopefully) an adequate fourth choice CB. Perhaps if we were to keep him loaned out next season so he improves and is match-fit, then just recall him if there are injuries to any of our CB's.
Good points, WWOCB. The jury was certainly out on Wiggins at the start of the season, but now I fully appreciate why so many see him as our POTY. He is one of those defenders who could easily fit into the winger position if required: his balance between attacking and defending is first-rate so he fits the bill perfectly. It has been a shame to see Evina used so sparingly. I suppose he is another victim of our success this season. As are Cort, Waggy and Hayes.
