Agreed, I think Stacey could be well suited to a WB role in a back 5 for instance - not sure if he’s played that too much, but Fisher may be a better choice as a FB in a back 4
Minor news but apparently we're still owed money for Akin Famewo from Sheffield Weds, according to the Telegraph. Transfermarkt have the fee from 2022 as €60k, so it can't be a massive sum, but they've missed another deadline to pay us.
I probably sound like I'm old and grumpy, but I know we have 17 goalkeepers on the books, but why do we need 3 different shirts?
I would guess to prevent clashes with other teams kits. Obviously we can’t wear the orange/red one against that play in orange or red, Purple I guess may be a bit close to Blue? The spearmint one should be ok against most though
Home grown players for the squad this year would seem to be :- Darling, Fisher, Stacey, Chrisene, Mahovo, Gibbs, McConville, Grimshaw, Forsythe, Myles, and......Who have I forgotten? Plenty home grown defenders there. With four full backs on the list likely one won't be in the squad. Not sure if Adeboyega can qualify at all, but Hills does.
Louie Moulden as 3rd keeper and Springett and Aboh if they're involved. Stacey could be included for his ability to play at WL, especially if we're trying to hold on to a lead near the end.
I am thinking of the match day squad where there have to be seven home grown I believe. Moulden would not feature in this. And I cannot see a future for Springett with us. Aboh? Maybe.
There's also the possibility of the PL loan of a wide player Knapper is seeking, who is likely to be young and home grown. Another factor is the U21 players currently in the squad who don't count in the 25 player limit: Ruairi McConville, Lucien Mahovo, Jacob Wright, Oscar Schwartau, Gabriel Forsyth and Elliot Myles as well as any other U21 players who could be called up to the first team. That means that Manning currently has a squad size of at least 31 players to call upon.
Interesting Pinkun article about what tactical formation(s) might be used: "Predominantly, Manning has utilised a 4-2-3-1 throughout his coaching career, but his success at Ashton Gate came with a variation of a 3-4-2-1. That ability to be flexible and interchange on base formation will be key, but there will be nuances and changes in build-up that make it more intricate and varied than the shape shown when the team sheets emerge. Harry Darling and Jakov Medić have performed predominantly in the back three at their clubs, whilst Shane Duffy and Jose Cordoba could look more comfortable in that defensive shape after struggles last term. The likelihood is that both formations will make an appearance during pre-season as Manning continues to assess his squad. He is a coach much less ideological on a specific shape than his last two predecessors." The problem with being tied to an ideology is that play can become predictable and more easily countered by the opposition. Darling and Medić's previous experience in a back 3 would help, but there's also the intriguing possibility that Medić's ability to play as DM might allow tactical flexibility without player changes.
