Long term injuries aside - for what it's worth (I know that probably isn't much!) my thinking on the best team available to us is this.... Best keeper - McGregor Best right back Rosie Best left back Robertson Best CB's Dawson and Chester Best right midfield (including crossing ability) Elmo Best left midfield (including crossing ability) Brady Best centre midfielder (defensive) Huddlestone Best centre midfielder (attacking) Diame Best forwards Jelavic and Hernandez I realise that will not be everyone's choice however I think it's not far off our best 11 - have we ever played a team close to this this season? If so - how did we go? If we haven't, why not!?
In terms of quality and technical ability, an in-form Huddlestone would definitely be first choice in CMF. But in terms of actual performances this season Livermore would arguably be his equal if not better. Otherwise that would be my eleven but Hernandez has still to prove he's worth what we paid for him. I know Snodgrass is out for this season but where will he fit in the line up next season...MF in a 3-5-2???
I personally dont think there's any doubt that this is our best XI of current players. It would be my XI going forwards if we replaced Tom for a new signing.
Yes we have. McGregor Elmo Dawson Chester Rosenior Meyler Livermore Diame Huddlestone Quinn Jelavic Easily our best 11. Played at Everton.
On the opening day, Quinn came on for Snodgrass and had a hugely positive impact - so not sure about the Snoddy idealism (though admit it was a small sample). I don't care who our best individual players are - because although Huddlestone is incredibly gifted, he does **** all for us* - i'd much rather have Meyler and Quinn in there, who might not be able to something as special on the training pitch, but are far more effective. *Okay, he can back away from players and pass to the wings well.
Rubbish. He needs to pick his game up a little, but he's clearly a better footballer than Sagbo and from what little we saw of his partnership with Jelavic, I think he'll come good. If he can manage 8 this season, it'll have been a worthwhile signing.
Problem is I don't think SB knows our best formation never mind our best XI And THAT my friends is the crux of the problem.
The Diamond worked to a certain extent it just left something to be desired. 352 is great defensively but lacks up front and if the wing backs dont produce you're knackered. The game against West Brom was crying out for the Diamond with a high up pressing midfielder and I think Bruce is scared to use it again even though now we are back to being better defensively
My thoughts exactly and the longer we go without picking up 3 points, the worse it's going to get because he's going to keep on chopping and changing formation and personnel. Probably the worst thing that has happened this season is the Ramirez sending off against Spurs because without that, I'm sure we'd have gone on to win that game and given that formation a bit of a run. Whilst it did still appear to have some frailties, I'd like to see us try it again perhaps with different personnel. Having said that I think both 4-4-2 and 3-5-2 (5-3-2) can work but it depends on the opposition and also what players we have available at the time.
