Just Playing with the formation a tad on pilkingtons arrival, how bout this for a line-up! ___________________Ruddy___________________ ____________Barnett______De Laet____________ R.Martin______________________________Tierney ____________ Fox_______B.Johnson___________ ________________Hoolahan___________________ Vaughan______________________________Pilkington _________________Holt_____________________ Leaves us with the likes of morrison, surman, crofts and bennett on the bench! We have bought some impressive talent, cannot WAIT for the season to get going!
We almost have enough depth to field a 2nd string team in the cups Arsenal style and focus on the League .
This would be my First XI Ruddy Martin Barnett De Laet Tierney Bennett Fox Hoolahan Pilkington Vaughan Holt Bit more of a central role i know but still allow the freedom for hoolahoop to press forward, but we would have 2 very good talented proper wingers that will also help out further up the pitch plus hoolahoop which means we wouldnt need to risk the full backs pressing on as much. Ive also taken into consideration of how much hoolahans defensive side of his game improved last season. Of my belief though the KEY to our team is the other man in the midfield, David Fox! If this bloke is on fire and improves even more for the new season i believe he could be the difference between 10-15 points. The bloke can lay the ball on a plate, and his service for the front 2, wingers or whoever will be envaluable over the season.
ICHB, yes, that looks a strong side, but no Crofts in there ? He was instrumental in helping us to where we now are, so I'd be surprised if he gets omitted, especially at first as no one knows how long Pilkington's leg / ankle will take to fully mend. Not a criticism, just a thought
I have to say, isn't it great to be able to have so many players that will give us so many options in many formations, whilst also having a bench full of talent that could easily lay claim to starting themselves. It's a far cry from League 1 where we were very limited to picking largely the same team week in, week out. Fantastic! I'm so looking forward to seeing Pilkington and Bennett tearing down the wings this season and supplying the ammo for Holt and Morrison to power in some headers. On a side note, has anyone seen the video on the Pink'un site of Pilkington's goals. He certainly knows how to find the corners of the net! Looks a great player. Chugmonkey
yeah saw it, and a particularly impressive 35+yard screamer as well, this guy knows where the net it, he's a very exciting signing in my book.
I understand, but also theres no surman, no whitbread, no jackson etc and they were all instrumental in our promotion BUT i dont think this is the side that will start the season, that team will be as close to the one that ended last season. Im just thinking more long term into the season, i personally think the diamond will slowly but surely dissapear through the season as i dont think it will be effective in the prem. It will work against certain certain teams and set-ups but the amount of exposure the defence will be put in with just the base 4 and the holding man of the diamond plus with the fact that martin and tierney like to bomb forward i think the pace of the prem will be one step to much for our beloved diamond formation! As for crofts, yes he was brilliant last season and he certainly deserves his chance but he is one player that i personally think will struggle... Though im hoping that no-one will struggle, along with the diamond and hoping it carries on being as effective as it has been under lambert i just cant see it happening with everyone and everything! But OTBC & ILWT
i think the diamond may only be used occasionally next season, and more 4-4-2 which brings bennett and pilkington to the fore leavins crofts to occupy the bench.
I guess we may be giving a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3 a try, maybe a standard back 4, 2 defensive midfielders, an attacking mid, 2 wingers and a striker?
Surely we havent forgotten JACKOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Already both teams have given Vaughn the nod over JAAAAAAAAAAKKOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!....... He was awesome in the final push for promotion
Of course your right super The team will pick itself I guess, but weve got some massive talent. Potentially the best squad we've ever had!
I concur Mr Beefy............ Cover everywhere apart from goal and defence, When Gunny got injured and Marshall 1 took over we started leaking goals like crazy... 2 versatile defenders and a descent keeper and we are water tight...
