Assuming we dont buy or sell. Assuming everyone is fit. Based on the MON style of defend then counter attack. Assuming everyone is on top form. Looking at presnt performance. What would be YOUR starting 11, I am honestly stuck, more than 11 deserve to start.
................Gordon....................... Bardsley...O'Shea..Brown..???? Larsson...Gardner/Vaughan..Catts..Mclean ............Sess....Wickham................ My only issue would be Vaughan or Gardner. I really like them both and would be hard to drop them. While Colback has been really good, in management you have to be ruthless, and we have players who play CM better. The argument could be play him LB till we get a LB. Catts is a no brainer. Larrson as well. O'Shea is clearly a better CB than RB. McClean deserves his chance, he has been brilliant. Wickham is better than Bendnter, offer more of a threat and works hard for the team. Sess players because he is brilliant. I have a sneaky feeling after todays reserve game Gordon will play against Peterborough, and then will be our number 1 afterwards. Unlucky for the other 2, but he is up there with the best in the league.
Colback or Bardsley at LB. Our midfield is much better balanced and has a better work rate without Richardson. As has been proved by how well we play and close down without him there, there is also less negative passing. (And the ball being passed to a Sunderland player.) Vaughan has done very well as our attacking midfielder, does look like he tires late on mind. Gardner has impressed me with his workrate and passing whilst at RB. Perfect replacement for Vaughan if he is tiring. Up front I would have Whickam over Bendtner just for the extra effort Whickham puts in.
................Gordon....................... Bardsley...O'Shea...Brown...Richardson Larsson...Catts...Mclean ...Sess....(Free role) Campbell...Wickham................
I have no ****ing clue mate. How do you drop Mignolet from the team for Westwood, or how would Westwood feel if he does not get his place back considering he was ill but did not do a single thing wrong? How does Gordon figure into the equation? Difficult questions. For the rest of the team its quite simple (for the majority), especially if we progress in the cup: Rotation, keep players fresh etc. I do however feel sorry for Bardsley, cos I feel that though he defends very well, he does not offer enough attacking options. We need a RB who can offer both dimensions. Bardo would be on the bench for me.
Agree with this although difficult on quite a few players who have been left out. When all fit tho it gives us a very strong bench.
I would have both Mignolet and Westwood ahead of Gordon, but regarding the outfield players I really don't know what our best side is at present..
