So what exactly is our best team if all our players are fit?

I'm left scratchingf my head with this one.
My formation would look a little like this.
You'll note Cabella in there.
I really believe the lad will come good next year... big time...

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I've dropped Ayoze for Cisse as the latter has more pace for the formation.
Ayoze has lacked that half a yard recently... although his brain is a yard ahead of the defender all the time.

 

I can't see how either De Jong or Cabella can be in the line up. I have big hopes for both of them but their demonstrated ability so far is not outstanding

Perez

Aarons - Sissoko - Obertan

Colback - - Abeid (arguably Tiote)

and your back five

 

Krul

Janmaat Colo Dummet Haidara
Abeid Colback
Cabella Sissoko Aarons
Perez

When De Jong is back Pardew is gonna have a tough decision as he plays where Moussa is currently playing. Sissoko has been our best player this season when played in the middle so moving him out of their would be a huge mistake.

 

De Jong is going to have to work for his spot the same way Tiote will. Both have in form players ahead of them and are going to have to be happy with substitute appearances until they can show that they are undroppable or until an opening emerges.

To think we would have lived to see the day.

 

I'd go with this with the same proviso that its up to returning players to fight their way into the team once an opportunity arises.

Also up front I'd rotate Cisse/Perez depending on the opposition and energy levels as the role in the current system is a high energy one. The same would apply to Cabella/Ameobi.

In practice the idea of a best 11 is one we are happily starting to be in a position to move away from and finally looking like we might have a proper first team squad for the first time in a long time. Perhaps they really did know what they were talking about this summer when they said the squad was stronger!

 

krul
janmaat colo dummett Santon
cabella sissoko abied aarons
cisse perez

subs elliot s Taylor r Taylor tiote Sammy de jong riveiere

 

I can only go off what I've seen this season as you largely have to base it on current information:

Krul

Janmaat
Dummett
Colo
Saylor

Abeid
Colback
Sissoko

Aarons
Obertan
Perez

If players were to return to their best form or potential ability then:

Krul

Janmaat
Dummett/Haidara/Santon - nowt in it but Dummett certainly been the best performer in the role this season though Haidara is showing signs he is learning about defending
Colo
Saylor/Dummett

Tiote
Colback
Sissoko

Aarons
Cabella
De Jong/Cisse

 

Basically I'm not sure we have a best 11. It would depend on opposition/form/fitness everytime - which is a good thing of course.

 

Colback not even on the bench???

 

The Ginger Pirlo has been the bedrock of our drive recently.
Well happy with him.
An absolute steal from the Mackems even if a few would disagree.
Long term I can see him as captain.

 

^^^ This for me.

Need to look at each game separately. If we're away to a big side looking to keep it tight and then hit fast on the break, it would be way different to how I'd set up for a home match against a side who are struggling, where we might expect more of the ball and have to break them down. Different formation, with some different players.

And then form has a big say - especially for strikers/flair players, where confidence plays a huge part.

 

Interesting that no one has sameobi I the 11. I know arrons looks class but he only played 4/5 games.

 

On ability:

-------------- Krul ----------------

Janmaat - Taylor - Colo - Santon

-------------- Tiote ---------------

----- De Jong ----- Sissoko ------

Cabella ------------------- Aarons

-------------- Cisse ---------------

Bench: Elliott, Dummett, Raylor, Abeid, Colback, Perez, Obertan


CB and LB positions are in flux tbf. Could argue that Dummett is as good as Taylor/Willamson for CB or Santon for LB.