What's everyone's thoughts on what our best first 11 is now after the incredible business done in the January transfer window? For me it would have to be the following: please log in to view this image I know some people think we should go with 3 CBs but I think we look better organised and more solid defensively in the 4-2-3-1 formation. Murphy and Kenedy supplying Slimani should work quite well I reckon.
Have we not all been moaning about using Perez as a 10? I'm not saying that isn't our best formation however, it probably is.
A lot of fans moan about a lot of things. I think Perez has been alright recently; better than in the first part of the season. It's about who's best in that role though - certainly not Diame, Merino isn't a number 10, Ritchie looked poor in that role against Chelsea, Atsu looked okay when he played there to be fair but I don't think he has the finishing required and is too lightweight; we don't have amazing options (obviously).
Absolutely. I'm not disagreeing. I reckon he's the best option with what we have available. Murphy didn't look too bad there (He did play there once right??)
Same formation and squad basically but I'd switch: Darlow > Elliot Mbemba/Lejuene > Clark Merino > Shelvey
I like the back 3 but I must admit my desire to see Kenedy in attacking areas outweighs it. Dubravka Yedlin Mbemba Lascelles Dummett Shelvey Merino Murphy Ritchie Kenedy Slimani Elliott, Clark, Diame, Perez, Gayle, Atsu, Lejeune Hayden, Joselu, Gamez, Manquillo, Haidara, Darlow would be the guys missing out. I would start Ritchie in the hole but would allow those three to be fluid to help us create. I'd want Murphy and Kenedy wide though a fair bit as you need crosses to make use of Slimani.
We can't really say a striker who's never played yet and a winger who's played one game are in our best team yet, Slimani's struggled at Leicester, and we're placing a lot of dependence upon him. Also Kennedy, who looked decent last night, but looked like he had a proper bad attitude and was gonna get sent off for Chelsea vs Norwich in the FA Cup. Need Merino and Ritchie in there.
I get what you are saying. Honestly though Kenedy just looks a much better player than what we've got. Slimani hasn't got to be up to much to be the best striker. I mean Joselu is utter garbage. Not just bad, but ****ing awful.
Completely agree with Spack; Would like to see 3 at the back, but Kenedy's too good to have at wing back so would stick with the 4. I'd go Lejeune again just about instead of Mbemba - either are preferable to Titus Clark. Diame ahead of Merino on form, Shelvey for what he brings. Merino is tidy, Shelvey better range. I'd also pick Atsu behind Slimani. He's got the most potential as a 10. Dubravka Yedlin Lejeune Lascelles Dummett Shelvey Diame Murphy Atsu Kenedy Slimani Elliott, Clark, Mbemba, Merino, Ritchie, Perez, Gayle Atsu in the hole, but those three are good enough to switch positions behind Slimani, who's got the experience to see what's going on. Shelvey in for Merino, who had a poor match - and I think we have runners ahead of Jonjo who he can use, plus a decent target instead of Joss. Can't see that side getting relegated. Good options from the bench; all positions covered, with options to go 2 up top or 3 at the back in-game.
Woah woah woah, Sweet child of mine! as Brian Potter would say. Lets not get all doey eyed about Diame. He's been absolutely gash for a season and a half. He hasn't suddenly learnt how to play football. He's had one very good game. I'm not in favour of pissing off a top class prospect with pedigree to give some mongrel a go. Atsu is the one I felt sorry leaving out my line up. I just prefer a brain to legs, and Kenedy, Ritchie, and Murphy look more intelligent footballers to me. I can't have Lejeune on what I've seen. He's been horrific. However it is his first season and he had a good rep in Spain. So I say him and Mbemba is a toss up at their best.
Can we please put Joselu in the hole? A really ****ing deep one somewhere far far away from civilisation and leave him there. He'll be fluid within a few weeks
If we can get a decent RB in at the club I'd love to see Yedders given a run up RW. He's like ****ing roadrunner and his crossing is generally good. He links up well with other players in our MF as well, it's just he often gets caught out of position a lot. His pace gets him out of trouble sometimes more than creating trouble. I reckon he'd win us a ****load of free kicks/pelantees if he were played further forward with some protection behind him.
Dubraska Yedlin Lascelles Lejeune Haidara Merino Diame Murphy Ayoze Kenedy Slimani Subs: Darlow, Clark, Dummett, Shelvey, Ritchie, Atsu, Gayle
What is going on with this Diame and Lejeune love in? Its freaking me out. I mean I can accept DPP putting Haidara in, that is a given.
Think its just people coming to the realization Clark is absolutely jank and a Championship player at best. Can head a ball and tackle but to often caught out of position and loses his man when marking. Think 2 of the 3 City goals the other day were him being caught out of position to high up the pitch which when playing against the fastest, scariest and lethal counter attacking teams in the world is sacrilege. Diame to be fair to the lad has had a decent run of form of late. Bit like a cheap version of Sissoko - pacey, powerful, can pass, can tackle but instead of Sissoko's 1 good game every 10 Diame seems to have 10 awful/average games and then 5/6 good ones in a row. And yeah I bet DPP had a drink to celebrate Haidara sneaking it through another window unmoved last night
Really? I can't recall that many in a year and a half. Some of that was in the Championship too. He was good last night but other than that... Clark is limited for sure. However Lejeune was even more suspect. Indeed many were clamouring for Clarks return. I think Mbemba is better than them both and looked good under Rafa at the end of the season we went down. Then he must have rimmed his wife or something. Again against Man C I thought he did quite well considering the tactics. He even did ok as an emergency left back.
O.K. i may have been generous with 5/6 good games in a row but 3/4 for sure, he's probably in the best form since arriving. My mate who supports West ham said he can be anonymous or the star player its really down to what mood he is in. Agreed Mbemba over both but I can't stand Clark, not sure if it s from his Villa days or what but I've never rated him although a good buy for last years campaign but shouldn't be pinning down a starting XI spot unless others are suspended/injured, especially in a back 4.
Nah, the question is best side. Not best current form. Diame gets in the current form side but should be nowhere near the outright best side on paper. My best pick would probably be: Dubravka/Elliott Yedlin, Lascelles, Mbemba, Dummett. Shelvey, Merino. Murphy, Atsu, Kenedy. Slimani. Obviously having not seen much of Dubravka he's there more in hope than anything. Mbemba infront of Lejeune for me, though if Lejeune can settle into the league he will probably become the better player. Feels harsh leaving out Ritchie but he's been labouring, has looked poor in the number 10 role before and I like the look of Murphy for the RW. Slimani was a tough call... I'll leave it at that.
-----------------Sels (all out goalkeepers are equally gash, however, Sels can play a bit, and was a calm influence on the defence) Yedlin, Lascelles, Lejuene, Kenedy Ritchie, Shelvey, Merino, Atsu. ----------------Murphy ----------------Slimani.
