Pick your starting 11

Just a bit of fun...what would be your starting team and formation for the first game...

Here’s mine:
Away - 5 3 2

Krul
Godfrey Hanley Klose
Passlack Lewis
Trybull
Leitner Mclean

Pukki Rhodes

At home - 4 3 3

Krul
Marshall Hanley Klose Lewis

Thompson
Leitner Mclean

Buendia Rhodes Hernandez

It’s quite hard to pick a best 11 and formation when you think about it and that can only be a positivite headache for us and Farke. No matter what you select I guarantee there’s someone you didn’t want to leave out! I know I did

 

Away - 3 5 2

Krul
Zimmerman Hanley Klose
Marshall Leitner Thompson Mclean Lewis
Pukki Rhodes

At home - 4 3 3

Krul
Marshall Hanley Klose Lewis
Leitner Trybull Mclean
Pukki Rhodes Hernandez

And yes, it was hard Suffolk!

 

At least we agree on the formations though RER!

I normally prefer 4 2 3 1 but I think the team we have is best suited to these 2 formations

 

For me we have 3 cracking defensive midfield options and no formation should be without one of: Tettey, Thompson or Godfrey. I couldn't go with Trybull in that role alone, he wasn't up to it last season. I'd like us to avoid playing 5/3 at the back as it's generally too defensive. OK it might win us a few 1-0 but I'd like us to at least start out with more ambition.

I'd go for away a 4 2 3 1

Krul
Marshall Godfrey Hanley Lewis
Thompson Trybull
Passlock Mclean Hernandez
Rhodes

Could so easily have Klose in for Godfey or Trybull, Leaving; Pukki, Mo and Buendia out feels tough on them
Migt even go for Pukki not Rhodes as his pace on the break could be more important.
And at home a 4 1 4 1 (more a 4 3 3)

Krul
Marshall Godfrey Hanley Lewis
Thompson
Pukki Lietner Mclean Hernandez
Rhodes

Amazingly tough, each team means leaving out players who are of similar quality or standing.but often with slightly differing qualities. with those who do miss out on a start raring to go from the bench, I can only hope Farke actually uses it more proactively.

Bah!

 

Few teams stick rigidly to a set formation as you suggest with "a 4 1 4 1 (more a 4 3 3)". DF's 4-1-4-1 easily morphs into a 4-2-3-1 when the ball is lost and then into two ranks of four to defend against an attack. When the ball is won, it morphs into a 4-2-3-1 again as the ball is played out. If possession is retained, it then morphs into into an attacking 4-1-4-1 again with the FBs providing width to support the attack (effectively a 2-3-4-1).

The present squad seems designed for this sort of play with Leitner at the heart, influencing the tempo of play and distributing the ball to set up attacks. Marshall and Lewis will be key players, sliding up and back along the flanks as possession changes and Pukki's pace opens up new options up front, like when Godfrey sent a long crossfield pass to Marshall breaking out of defence, who then put a perfect cross to the feet of a charging Pukki to slot it home. Hernandez now looks a much better player, adding guile to his pace and McLean has added a dynamic element to midfield. Both Thompson and Godfrey are better passers than Tettey, which also opens up new possibilities.

 

Completely agree General. I think the best thing about this squad compared to last year is that we have so many good options. Last year we had a fairly rigid best 11 and if you dropped a player out it was for someone of a lesser quality. This year the players look like they could be seemlessly interchanged without weakening the team. I can’t wait!

As in alluded to this should aid more positive substitutions perhaps earlier in games!

 

With DF in charge???? #youmustbejoking

 

Maybe he didn’t fancy the options he had on the bench last year

 

Fair point

 

Throwing my hat in the ring, here:

Away: 3-5-1-1
Krul
Zim Hanley Klose
Marshall Thompson Trybull Hernandez
Mclean
Pukki
Rhodes

Leitner may be a Farke favorite but he didn't seem to stand out in pre-season.

I really don'y see why three-at-the-back can't be attacking as well as defensive.

 

He has plenty of good options to choose from now!

 

Is there updates on who is ruled out and who's fit?

 

If all was fit, I'd say:

Krul
Passlack, Klose, Hanley, Lewis
Hernandez,Godfrey, Trybull, McLean
Pukki, Rhodes.

 

Though they're back in training, Saturday will probably come too soon for Tettey and Lewis, though Rhodes may be on the bench. My guess would be more like this:

Krul
Marshall, Hanley, Klose, Stiepermann
Thompson, Trybull
McLean, Leitner, Hernandez
Pukki

Subs: McGovern, Zimmerman, Passlack, Godfrey, Cantwell, Buendia, Rhodes

If so, the game plan could focus on playing the ball out and counter-attacking using the pace of Pukki and Hernandez. Then again, it may be something completely different!

 

Amazing to think that Passlack may be benched for Marshall. Appreciate no one deserves a starting spot based on reputation alone but Passlack was given rave reviews by the German itk's. Perhaps he's going to need a while to get to grips with the Championship.

 

DF has said that he needs time to get up to speed, he's still quite young.

 

Krul,
Marshall, Hanley, Klose, Stiepermann,
Leitner, Thompson, Trybull,
Mclean, Pukki, Hernandez.

Mathews, Zimmerman , Godfrey, Buendia, Husband, Rhodes, Passlack.

 

Have to admit, the bench I have named looks very strong, which would indicate a much greater strength in depth this season. Not even named Oliveira, Srbeny Tetty, Francis or Lewis, all starters at times last season which makes it even more impressive.

 

I didn't know Marshall has a twin!!

 

that is a very little known fact JMF.