Problem with this game is that its very much a snap shot based on current form. A couple of months ago, Wanyama was out and Cork was in and scoring goals and he would have been in the side. A few weeks ago, I thought our 3 at the back system was brilliant which would mean that either Yoshida or Gardos would have to be in. After yesterday, how could you leave out Elia but 2 weeks ago you'd be saying the same about Mane. Tadic, brilliant at the start of the season, not a guaranteed starter now. What this does show is that actually, we have a very good squad now and, as FLT says, one that can adapt according to the opposition. That 'B' team posted above would win more than it lost.
Bit strange people are putting in Elia after about 2 hours of first team play, ahead of Tadic who has been relatively consistently one of our best players.
The definites for me are Forster, Clyne, Toby, Bertrand, Morgan and Pelle (and probably Davis), the rest are more about form and opportunity.
So, little faith in the captain then..? Crikey, arguably the best player in the team and he can't be relied upon. OK, based on whoever is available NOW [which means excluding the injured and those on International duty] Forster Clyne Fonte Gardos Bertrand Davis JWP Tadic Pelle For me, those above are players who are picking themselves at this present moment. Next week against Swansea, who knows who'll be back. Add two from Elia, Reed, and Long, and that's quite a team. Here's hoping Morgan doesn't take too long to get back and that Victor isn't as bad as the speculation suggests. Plus of course, Toby. We can wait for Jay. We've waited this long, so a few more weeks won't make much difference.
Bollocks..! Sat here wondering who I'd left out. Of course I'm a Cork fan. Add him to the Reed, Long, Elia list. I can't start him just yet as he hasn't played consistently and has just returned from injury..
The problem with this (well, one of the problems) is that too may people, whether they are doing it intentionally or not, will be swayed by form. Tadic gets in every day of the week, if you take form out of the equation. But over the past few weeks, maybe even a bit longer than that, he's just been off it a little bit. And potentially the reverse situation applies to Mane and/or Elia. Just recently, what they have each touched has turned to gold. But who is to say that will continue.
Isn't it great that even with 3 key players out (4 including Jay) we still have great choices in quite a few positions!
Forster, Clyne, Fonte, Toby and Bertrand are shoo ins at the back. Morgan and Vic are certs for the next line. Pelle has to play. The only places open to question are the 3 remaining places...we have a surfeit of riches then, meaning players will miss out in the starting line up (unless Morgan and Vic aren't available). JWP is the best deliverer of the ball....we didn't know what we'd got till he was gone. Now I think Koeman pencils him in whenever he can. That leaves Tadic, Mane, Long, Elia, Davis and Cork (if you ignore Reed). Luckily for these players, Koeman uses subs tactically, so they will get game time even if they don't start. One of the things that has pleased me is how we don't have a 1st team, then struggle when players are absent. We have coped well with absences (such as Morgan and Vic) which terrified fans.
This thread is pretty hillarious really. Its actually damn near impossible to arrive at a strongest 11, especially when we look at the middle of the park. How cool is that. We have an amazing array of options, none of which is essentially any stronger then the others. I've been concerned that our squad depth wasnt there but we are reaching the point now where our shortfalls are negligible. Keeper is basically where we are lacking in depth. I've read this too much over the last few weeks. Making me worry that the inevitable will happen as soon as the window shuts in january.
Bear in mind pepys that when the quality level reaches a world class requirement, as sometimes happens in Champions League, arguably none of them are good enough. I know that's a bit extreme but any squad can be improved. There are plenty of weaknesses. Bet you never thought I'd bring a neg'..! Well I'm quite aware that we're the little, thin squad without the vast experience. Then again, we have no bad habits, baggage or failure either.
Oops. Of course Fonte. I don't now how I managed to miss him out. He'd captain my strongest Premier League team.
Pellè ? Tadić ? Schneiderlin ? Bertrand Fonte Alderweireld Clyne Forster With the question marks replaced with whoever is in form. Big Vic / Cork / Reed alongside Morgan. Elia / Mané / Jay Rod on the left (or move Tadić out wide) JWP / Long / Davis out right (or through the centre) It's an exciting problem to have and one that I hope becomes harder in the coming year.
