It looks like we will continue to play the 5-3-2 with wing backs approach this coming season, so........ 1. Marco Faraoni, he's a right footed right back. If Anya is our first choice RWB then where does this guy fit in?? No way would he have signed for us to be a squad player. Zola has always spoken of the importance of the LWB being left footed (Pudil, Romero) so Im a bit confused here. 2. Fabbrini and Forestieri. Fabbrini was a squad player for Udinese, so I doubt he would have signed for us to be a squad player in the Championship, but so far it appears that Deeney and Acuna will be leading the line?? Or is Zola going to rotate his strikers??? These two players are too good to only be squad/bench players. 3. Sean MUrray cant play in a 5-3-2, so where does he fit in?? He'd be no use as a wing back and he'd be unable to play central midfield either. No point in having someone who's not going to play (for another season). Basically, we have lots of quality attacking players so I feel we will have some very unhappy (quality) players if Zola sticks with 5-3-2.
1. I personally believe Faraoni will be first choice RWB. I feel the LWB is up for grabs. Anya is a very good option from the bench as he covers both positions, and would tear tiring full backs to pieces. 2. I think it will be whoever forms the best partnership with Deeney. Last season it was Vydra, I'm sure they will get their chance. Zola likes to shuffle if we have 2 games in a week so they will all get their chance 3. Murray is a dilemma. Not really sure where they see him playing but would assume it will be part of a midfield 3, maybe the Abdi role. Abdi, McGugan and Iriney sounded like they linked up well last night, so maybe that will be the first choice midfield with Hogg, Battocchio and Murray as the back up
1. What you say here would make sense/is logical. Although by playing 4-3-3 it would allow us to have Faraoni @ RB with Anya on right wing (and then Murray could be 2nd choice for right wing) 2. I just think it will be hard to keep all our forwards/strikers happy TBH. Fernando has a full season of Championship football under his belt, he's stopped the diving, hit two braces last season, yet it seems he's going to have another season of mainly being on the bench due to us signing Acuna and Fabbrini, harsh. 3. I personally don't think Murray has the positional or tactical discipline to play central midfield. Nor does he have the upper body strength for that position either (all his power is in his legs).
I certainly wouldn't want to be in Zola's shoes keeping everyone happy... And certainly harsh on Fessi if he starts on the bench Could maybe play with the 3 CBs, 2 wing backs, 2 CMs then 2 AMs behind Deeney - say FF and Fabrini... But not sure where that leaves Abdi
Abdi is the first name on the team sheet! Our player of the season for a reason. It's a hard one though isn't it, I mean if we win a game and play well it would be daft to change the team (injuries and suspension's permitting). But then on the other side, if we go on a good run of form and keep the same team without making changes over a period of time it could mean some very talented players become unsettled etc. Competition for places is obviously a good and important thing to have, but these guys have joined WFC for regular first team football, not to continue being squad players just like they were at Granada/Udinese. Who do you think will be the two centre halfs to play either side of Ekstrand??
I hope we keep most of the starters from last season and the new ones come in have to prove they deserve to start Saying that, I think it will be Cassetti and Angella either side. Not sure who which side though. As for midfield, I think it will be Iriney/Hogg, Battocchio/McGugan and Abdi Will be a struggle to keep all happy but we do have quality to come in when we rotate
many games in the Championship, I'd rather have 'strongest' 11 out all season if possible with only changes when necessary (injuries, suspension or the infamous fatigue)
Just my opinion... 1. I think Anya and Faraoni will rotate in the RB position with Faraoni starting more league games and Anya cup games. 2. Fabbrini has been playing in the midfield behind the two strikers. Forestieri and Acuna will compete to play up front alongside Deeney. 3. Murray came on for Iriney against Posh and played DMF in a 5-3-2 formation and seemed to cope very well there so maybe he will be backup for that position and maybe start in the cup games?
Everyone will get their chance; that much is certain. I recall that Anya was nowhere near the starting XI in August last year, but by March he was one of the first names on the teamsheet. Personally I would like to see 5-2-2-1 in the home games, with Fabbrini and Forestieri supporting Deeney infront of Abdi and Iriney, and a 5-3-2 in away games (Deeney and Acuna upfront with Abdi, McGugan and Hogg in midfield). The defence is anyone's guess - I think a lot will depend on the opposition on the day, especially with regards to wingbacks. One thing we can conclusively agree on: these are great problems to have!!
The underlying point to this is that we have a ridiculously strong squad, our second XI would do well in the Championship I reckon. It will be tough to keep everyone happy, but its a long season, we'll get injuries and suspensions so everyone I'm sure will get there chance. About Murray, do you really see him as a winger Mitch?? Whenever I've seen him he looks like he really hasnt got much pace at all. I've always seen Murray as a central midfielder, maybe an attacking midfielder playing through the middle in a 4-2-3-1 formation would suit him best. He had a very disappointing season last season, so will be interesting to see how Zola uses him this season. Hopefully his great potential is not wasted.
Dyche played him right midfield didn't he, scored 7 goals from that position in second half of 11/12. First few games of last season Zola played him on the wing in a 4-3-3. Me, I actually see him as an attacking midfielder playing central in between midfield and attack, but you cant play that role in a 5-3-2 or a 4-3-3 (not when you have two attack minded CM in Adbi and McGugan anyway). As Ive already said previously on this thread, I personally dont think he has the positional or tactical discipline to play central midfield, nor does he have the upper body strength for that position either TBH, rather see Battochio play CM than Murray.
Agree with your point that Battocchio would be better than Murray. This thread has sort of brought up the idea that Murray may just not fit in our system and may have to move on in the long-run. But who knows, 3 games into the season and Zola may scrap the 3-5-2 system
I thought Faraoni was okay yesterday but he was quite defensive and seemed unsure of taking his man on preferring to play it back. Anya came on down the left and looked fast as usual so I suspect they will not be direct replacements for each other all of the time. I'm sure we will be rotating strikers no matter what we think of the benefits of a settled team. All four of them look good. Murray spent the last few minutes as captain yesterday but I can't see him getting many games though given the other midfielders we have.
