Just for a bit of fun, here’s a preview of our first Xl v second Xl - obviously this could and should change as the season goes on. I’ve put these together to make it competitive so Rusyn is in the second Xl based on appearances but I expect him to be a staple in the first Xl. Jobe in the second Xl to even out the midfield dynamics and Pritchard played a lot there last season. Probably controversial but I’d only have Pattison, Hume, Ballard, Neil and Clarke from our first Xl based on current form if everyone was fit. Great options for us to have all round and i think both of these teams would be decent at this level. You’re also a braver man than me if you’d put money on our “first Xl” beating the second! Pattison Hume O’nien Ballard Cirkin Neil Ekwah Pritchard Roberts Hemir Clarke V Young Pembele Seelt Triantis Huggins Evans Jobe Aouchiche Ba Rusyn Mayenda
Shows what a cracking squad we have. I would take your first 11 to win by a couple of goals though. That said if Pembele is as good as I believe he is those two full backs might well make Clarke and Roberts look innefective. You havenr picked Rigg - criminal. On the bench, burstow, dack, bennette... madness what we have now
Truthfully mate totally forgot about Rigg. The options we have are mental aren’t they?? I genuinely think we could field a second Xl that’s good enough to compete in this league. Cirkin and Clarke as good as they are going forward would have an absolute nightmare trying to defend against Pembele and Ba imo.
I am racking my brain to think of a time we have had more players who I want to watch play. I honestly cant think of a time. Madness to say that Roberts is under real pressure for his place, Cirkin be lucky to get back in with Huggins looking so strong. I saw a glimpse of Mayenda today and he looks like he could be anything at all. Just great days. Actually thought we were a bit off our level today, particularly in the middle of the park, but still Brum had no answers.
I was hoping we'd get £5m for Roberts in the summer tbh! Definitely is great days though mate I'm the same, i'm itching to see more of some of the lads who can't get a game
Patto Huggins Ballard Seelt Hume Neil (C) Ekwah Jobe Roberts Rusyn Clarke Young Pembele Triantis Alese Cirkin Rigg Matete Aouchiche Ba Mayenda Bennette Evans Pritchard Hemie Taylor Dack O9
Finally got round to starting the new FM so tried this out in the intersquad friendly first game of pre-season..
My worry about Roberts is that his value will be going downhill every game he plays, as he is refusing to sign a contract he should be pushed as at this rate his transfer value will be zero when he decides to jump
I’d imagine we’ll be great for a save on FM these days. Loads of young talent, squad will be worth a good few quid.
Add Alese to that list too. We're blessed with talent. Our recruitment goes to show that we are very likely to adequately replace the ones we lose for big money, which is bound to happen some time. Lose two or three for £60 million, replace them for £15 million and still have a great squad. I know some players appear to be indispensable, but I'm confident we'll find the right people. Only person we'd struggle to replace is Speakman imo.
Run the recruitment well (which we are) and we’ll be thinking 5 or 6 moves ahead like a top chess player. Edit - Speakman has his critics (like anyone would) but overall he’s doing a brilliant job. Seems to fit the new ethos of the club very well - and the club probably fits him very well too
Anthony Patterson's attitude to training and the support he gives to his colleagues is brilliant, why would Matthew Young want to move away at this stage in his career.
Nice to see those leadership traits looking after and encouraging the young lads. Doesn't give much away during the game so it's good to see a bit of his personality.
