With MM coming out saying he knows his best 11. I thought about trying to have a go at guessing what it may be, and it's harder than you think! Haha! Well I guess he'll be playing 4-4-2 as its his favourite formation and he's being playing that formation throught out pre-season: GK: Anyone's guess between Loach and Gherkin. Although my money's on Loach has he has been playing more (due to Deano getting a but of a knock) DF: well the full backs will probably be Cressy and Veseli, even though Hewitt could push Veseli for a start. Then there's the centres, you'd have to assume he will carry on the partnership of Chambers and Smith, as they were solid towards the end of last season. Though with a MM favorite and Scottish international in Berra (who is unlikely to want to sit on the bench, again could push for a start) MF: Much more tricky. The only person I can really think of getting a start would be Edwards at RM, being club captain, that saying with him not being around pre season doesn't mean he's guaranteed a start. LM could either be between Anderson, or Tabb. With CM could be any two from Skuse, Hyam and Wordsworth. Not to mention that Taylor could play out wide, though with him only coming back from a long term injury last night, seems very unlikely. ST: a bit more easier to choose from. With chopra set to leave, and nouble not hitting great fo in pre season, it seems very likely that it will be Murphy and Mcgoldrick. Do you think that with chopra leaving, MM might come in for another striker? Apologies for all the grammar and spelling, currently at work on my iPhone
Loach Cresswell Hewitt Smith Chambers (will later be dropped for Berra) Anderson (LM) Hyam Wordsworth Skuse (RM) McGoldrick Murphy I don't think Edwards will be first choice any more, unless our midfield turn out to be duds. Depending on how are forwards get on, i don't think MM will go for any more players (although maybe one more forward on loan, but that won't be til after september.
I'd say his preffered line up would be: Loach Hewitt, Chambers, Smith, Cresswell Anderson, Hyam, Skuse, Tabb McGoldrick, Murphy Although not sure where Veseli fits in, I think he's really talanted but then so it is Hewitt and I think we lack a bit of quality in central midfield, could this guy be a midfield playmaker?? I also see Berra coming in at some point but not sure for who. I'm really puzzled as to what our best lineup is personally. I'd like to see Taylor and McGoldrick in the same team as I think they're potentially our best players but they both occupy similar positions and I think if you play them together we would lack a bit of punch uptop in terms of a target man but also someone in the penalty box. I'd also like to both Hewitt and Veseli play. Perhaps go for the 451 Loach Hewitt, Chambers, Smith, Cresswell Veseli, Hyam Anderson, McGoldrick, Taylor Nouble
Well, McCarthy goes 4-4-2. Loach will definitely get the nod at the start. Likewise, he won't break up the Smith/Chambers partnership to start with. Cressy is dodgy as you like defensively, so Tabb will play wing. RB is the only position I'm unsure, and I think Vaseli will get the nod. Team for Reading = Loach Vaseli/ Smith/ Chambers/ Cressy Anderson/ Skuse/ Hyam/ Tabb McGoldrick/ Murphy Subs Gerkin/ Berra/ Hewitt/ Wordsworth/ Edwards/ Taylor/ Nouble - I suppose Taylor could miss out completely if unfit.........!?
I would say westie has hit the nail on the head for the opening game, further on during the season though i would expect Hewitt to come in at RB, Berra in the the centre instead of Chambo and Taylor upfront with Murph perhaps going out wide. I think the good thing is we have so many options this year, Tabb and Wordy can both play wide or centre, Murph can play up top or wide, the same as Taylor. Chambo can play RB or centre and so on.
" further on during the season though i would expect Hewitt to come in at RB " Vaseli is quite a signing. I am a big Hewitt fan, however, I think Vaseli is in a different class again. SHOULD we keep Cresswell, which I have my doubts, we would potentially have two of the best full backs in the division. Cannot see Murphy being pushed to wide left either. McCarthy realises he is much better through the middle, really cannot see this happening.
Taylor's 25min cameo performance at ColU was great, full of trickery and energy he led the defence a merry dance, I would say he is pretty close to being in contention for an automatic start. Didsy looked bang on also, Clack looked a little sluggish at times on the turn etc. Back 5 that started are shoe-ins for me, the midfield though is the hard one to call, for me Hyam & Tabb will start but who gets the other 2 slots is anyone's guess.!
My starting 11 will be Loach (a given) Vaseli Smith Berra Cressy Anderson Wordy Hyam Tabb Mcgoldrick Murphy
My starting 11 Loach Vaseli Smith Chambers (skipper) Cressy Anderson Wordy Hyam Tabb Mcgoldrick Taylor
It's funny that no one has really gone with the same team. Just shows how good and vast our squad is! Only Mick knows
For me, from a balanced perspective, it has to be Skuse/ Hyam as the glue in the middle, with Tabb covering Cresswell. One team above has Hyam the only defensive minded player, with 5 attacking players. We'd either hammer teams or get ripped to shreds playing like that!
Hammer time.......Winning / losing half of the games will give us 69 points, couple of extra wins and its playoffs......Bring it.! <thinkpositivesmiley>
