Everybody put down what they think next years Starting XI should be, (put subs if you want). Lets keep it friendly and on topic, just justify your choices if they are debatable. Mine would be as follows. Mannone Rosie Ayala Hobbs Dudgeon Koren Evans Danns Stewart Fryatt Simpson Bench: Eihoff, Chester, Dawson, Cairney, Barmby, Mclean, Adebola/Target Man + 1 other new lad who i assume will be the Man Utd Loanee. With the way the transfers have been quite so far this shows 7 new signings (in bold) some exciting some not which is what we have been told. I also think Danns is a long shot now but no idea who else we could get at the moment. Let's hear your choices.
Mannone Rosenior Ayala Gerrard Dawson/Dudgeon Koren Bullard Oli Stewart Fryatt Iwelumo Subs Cooper Cairney Simpson Chester Evans. We paid 1.2 mil for Mclean? Surely we didnt give it all in one go? If we have paid say 300 grand of it, declare it a bad day at the office and send him back to them!
Got to find space for Chester in my opinion; Most realistic guess at the moment would be Guzan Rosenior Hobbs Chester Dudgeon Stewart Danns Evans ... Fryatt Simpson (or Adebola/Iwelumo)
Mannone Rosenior Ayala Chester Dudgeon Stewart Danns Reid _Winger? Iwelumo Fryatt Bench: Eilhoff, Hobbs, Dawson, Barmby, Simpson, +loanee midfielder, +loanee winger. our strikeforce is fine i think, not even sure we need a target man, but we do need creativity in midfield, its alright having stewart bombing forward but we've been crying out for a midfielder for years who can split defences open with single passes. Danns & Reid can both do that.
Would Stewart and Fryatt work? Stewart and Simpson were deadly but Stewart's that fast I'm not convinced Fryatt could keep up, whereas Simpson at least has a chance.
Cant say that I think Fryatt is that much slower than Simpson to be honest. I'm sure Simpson is quicker but Fryatt has more of a footballing brain and can create space for Stewart to find
I did think about that DaredtoDream but i think before Nigel gave Stewart a sort of free role around the top and let him go wherever he wanted. Let Fryatt do his job when we have good possesion of the ball and let simpson and stewart lead a counter attack? Something like that anyway, i trust him to know what he is doing! Harap, i did think chester needed a place but with Hobbs and Ayala at CB maybe he would need to be in the defensive mid postion like he did towards the end of the season?
I think Stewart and Koren would have free roles with 3 more defensively minded midfielders behind them
its a difficult one. i think the jury is still out on how well chester can play the defensive midfield role. there's no doubt the majority of his best performances came at centre half and for that reason i think he has to play there. similarly, ayala and hobbs are both very good centre halves so i can appreciate why chester may get shifted out of position.
Its a difficult choice Hobbs, Chester and Ayala are all great centre backs. Dudgeon I have never seen but sounds decent. Mannone seems to pick up injuries and Guzan I doubt will come to play second fiddle. Up front Simpson and Fryatt look good but we could do with a target man but as pointed out by others it maybe the midfield's fault we don't score many. Personally my team would be. Mannone Rosenior Chester Ayala Dudgeon Koren Danns Evans Simpson Frayatt Stewart Although i'm still not sure about that midfield Edit: Plus I find myself trying to find spaces for people that I like so have changed it again
its not really a waste of money, if we can get him for around 500k (which is what our current tabled bid is i think) we'll be laughing. i agree that Chester should be played at CB next to Ayala, but we still need another CB at least for cover & competition.
I don't rate Hobbs and I think we should look elsewhere, £500k for a defender to sit on the bench isn't a good deal IMO. Then again neither is £500k to have him playing.
Am i right in thinking Hobbs has played Midfield before? It's a long shot if we can't get anyone in but maybe he could cover defensive mid and let chester go back where he plays best. I don't think the midfield seems right, but i can't work out how to improve it so maybe im being fussy. If we fail with danns what is plan B?
Don't like the thought of Hobbs in midfield to be honest. Can't quite understand a bit of dislike for Hobbs. I personally really rate the guy and would like to see a Hobbs / Chester partnership. We haven't seen that yet but I think it could be quite a nice balance.
The other bench option i would love to see is Garcia? I don't what state he is in and just how likely it is but i think he would add some depth into the squad. Does anybody have any idea on the chances of this?
I do really like Hobbs but feel Ayala would be best watching him at the beginning of this season he looked a class apart
