We were pretty sloppy in the first half, a continuation of the Schalke game, and could have been out of it at half time, but unusually the more subs that were made the more coherent we appeared. Maybe that owes something to the opposition dropping off a bit though.
How far into pre-season are Besiktas? Just looked at the original post. Far enough that they should be fairly up to speed.
I hope Mauricio plays the Real Sociedad game as if it was a league match. Start with our strongest team and limit subs.
Ditto. The starting 11 should be clearer by then. Think we need a realistic rehearsal for the WBA match and Real Sociedad will be a very real test. We also know what our opening day record is like; it would be nice to almost treat the WBA game as the second of the season.
If we have made one or two more signings before the West Brom game we still won't necessarily have a "strongest team". The whole point about strengthening the squad is so we can rotate players without losing the cutting edge in any department. What will vary is the setup for individual matches depending on the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition. I have no idea how much Real Sociedad resemble WBA but unless they do there isn't much point in treating them like they do.
There are versions of our best starting XI for different oppositions I agree but I would like us to play our strongest line up for RS and if the set up is similar for the WBA game, the final friendly will be a very useful yardstick. We will be playing our strongest XIs for the opposition in question from 17th August and I'd think we'd benefit treating the RS game as a competitive fixture after concluding the rotations we'll likely see again against Celta Vigo. As is the drawback with any late additions to the squad, they are more likely to be thrown in based on their supposed ability without the luxury of trials and testing during pre season.
Im not sure what our strongest XI is atm. Here's mine: ---------------boruc-------------------- Clyne------yosh------love------shaw ----------schneid------wany---------- Punch?------gaston-------j rod----- ------------Lamber-------------------- For an attacking set up, perhaps in a more defensive game bring in cork at LDM remove gaston and push vic up behind the strikers.
I think inaa post match interview that poch was concerned osh and Ramirez might not be match fit for the wba game! So I doubt they'll start so unless we bring in better players we won't have our strongest 11! Adam certainly has something to prove this year if he wants to be part of pochs plans
Gotta look at each game differently and all that. Maybe see more of Cork away from home as his energy is incredible, and more of Gaston at home when we're controlling things. The more options the merrier! Last year we almost certainly lacked a plan B, now it's as if MP wants a plan A through Z!
Two players who I think who will have massive season's are JayRod and Adam...Adam had a frustrating, stuttering, stop-start sort of a season last year mainly with niggly injuries but he is still class and links up with Rickie in particular so well....It was only about a year ago that he got called up for an England squad and I think he has something to proove this year.
Depends on the opponent and home/away. First game I'd probably play 4-1-4-1 with Schneiderlin and Wanyama CM's with Cork CDM after our woes against West Brom last season. Hoovield instead of Lovren though compared to that side for me and Cork instead of Ramirez. Wanyama is a defensive minded player. He's just as capable at centre back as CDM/CM. I wouldn't play him more advanced than CM. Most of his goals come on set pieces.
