Best 11 on paper

Considering the chronic lack of investment, it made me think of what I thought was our best eleven on paper.

Dubravka
Schar Lasc Lejeu
Yedlin Ritchie
Shelvey Longs Hayden
Almiron
Gayle

What's yours?

 

Yedlin and Ritchie as Wingbacks...

 

First name on the sheet

Colback

 

I like my players to play on grass

But joking aside:

Dubravka
Schar Lasc Lejeu
Ritchie Dummett
Shelvey Longs Hayden
Almiron
Gayle

I’d give Ritchie a go on the right so he can cut in and try Dummett as left wing back. He looks quite good going forward.

Not sure what formation Bruce will play but he will know by now we are limited so will likely play to the players strengths.

 

We can't play that formation with Gayle up front on his own. I know I'm not providing any options here but the oppo defence literally may as well take it in turns to go and have a sit down for a bit and put their feet up.

 

I wouldn’t be so sure. One of his biggest criticisms has been that he all too often puts square pegs in round circles

 

I’ll have a pint please. Chippy will have a low carb lager - he went to the bogs when he thought it was his round.

 

I would put Muto in instead of Gayle. Think there may be a good player there about to come out.

 

I'd put Joelinton in there somewhere.

 

Is teethy boy Gayle still a thing? Like is he back and playing in friendlies now? I'd rather sell him to the champ (his level) and take a risk on a new foreign dude.

 

Can’t believe anyone would have a starting 11 with a back three without Paul Dummett - unbelievable when he came back how much we improved. It would be either Lascelles or Lejeune for me. Lejeune is a carthorse and can be exposed, Lascelles is worse on the ball and looks sluggish at times. I’d play lejeune on ability with the ball and ability to read the game. I’d move him into centre of the three in non marking role so his lack of pace is not an issue.

I couldn’t see any system where Shelvey, Longstaff and Hayden play which would be positive at home. You’d have to push Longstaff further on but I’d still rather see us offer more threat by playing Almiron and Muto off Joelinton. Certainly at home. Away maybe but Muto and Almiron both have incredible work rate and mobility.

We will prob switch to a 4, and I think that’s least favourable for Dummett. He to me is the one who then gets caught between two stools. He’ll end up at left back where he is just solid.

 

Dummett is a vastly underrated player for us. Absolutely solid.

 

Dummett is first name on team sheet for me

 

Why

 

We will be playing 442 with Bruce I imagine so, for me:

Schar, Lasc, Lej, Dummet (c)
Richie, Hayden, Shelvey, Almiron
Gayle/Muto
Joelinton

Midfield is the hardest to pick by far, I don't think Longstaff is ready for starting 11 and l think rushing him would be negative.

Hayden playing defensive midfield, Shelvey box to box, Richie a traditional winger role, Almiron cutting into the middle to become CAM.

Joelinton is our strongest and largest striker now, he can play up top cause a lot of trouble. Even if he is dog, which I don't believe, he'll still cause chaos.

I can't be sure if Id put Muto into the starting 11 but I think he deserves a chance, Gayle would slot into that position far better and feeding off a target man he might score more.

 

I'll get them in, no dramas

 

Well if that’s the case then mine will be a rum and black, please.

 

I honestly want to see shelvey replaced hes not good enough off the ball...

 

If it is a four under Bruce, I don't think we will make the best of our defenders. Schar and Dummett are massively suited by the 3 at the back. Putting either at centre half in a four would make us look a little flimsy. If we went to a four I'd play Lejeune and Lascelles probably, but I'd be concerned about pace. I like the 3 because it gets the best out of Schar and Dummett who I think become quite dynamic defenders in a 3.

In a four I'd probably go:

Dubravka

Yedlin
Lejeune
Lascelles
Dummett

Longstaff
Hayden (until we sign better)

Almiron
Muto
Ritchie

Joelinton

In a three I'd probably go:

Dubravka

Schar
Lejeune
Dummett

Yedlin
Longstaff
Shelvey
Ritchie

Almiron
Muto
Joelinton

For me its quite tricky in our squad to switch formation and retain personnel. Mainly because in the defensive ranks, certain players have traits suited to one formation or another. Lascelles to me is far better in a 4. He looks uncomfortable at times in a three. The spaces are greater so your pace and agility is tested more. Schar on the other is quite a dynamic defender with an ability to carry the ball and great agility. He looks a natural athlete. Dummett is really pacey and gives balance to a three. However put them in a four and I think Schar soft underbelly would get exposed (he does get beasted now and again) and Dummett although solid, struggles to offer much attacking wise in a four. Not that its bad to have such options in the squad but you do want to start off the season with a set tactic.

 

Thankfully youll be wrong as usual, but unfortunately bruce wont come up with a winning side either .