I was wondering what peoples thoughts on our best XI would be, I've been thinking: Ruddy Whittaker Bennett Turner Tierney Fox Howson Snodgrass Hoolahan Pilkington Holt With Elliot Bennett, who i thought was fantastic against Ajax and will deffinatly not give up his place without a fight, coming on late to inject his pace into the game and worry some tired full backs. Alternatively in more of a 4-4-2 Ruddy Whittaker Bennett Turner Tierney Snodgrass Fox Howson Pilkington Holt Vaughan I think looking at the quality he was putting into the box on the highlights of the MK dons game Snodgrass and Holt will be fantastic together. I haven't included Butterfield as I haven't seen him play but if he's the prospect people are saying I'm sure he will play a role this season
Unless Hoolahan starts taking some kind of MDMA before a game, I can't see him starting many. for me: Ruddy Whittaker Bennett Turner Tierney Fox Johnson Snodgrass Howson Pilkington Holt Although Holt/Vaughan/Morison are interchangable. Maybe Morison for that formation actually. And Butterfield/Hoolahan challenging Howson.
Anyone else properly excited about the prospect of Snodgrass and Pilkington whipping in crosses for Holt?!
I don't think Howson can play in the defensive 2 of a midfield 5. I just don't think he's capable and I can't imagine you would get the best out of him that way
i sort of agree, although he's already proven he can play this role for us when he dominated midfield, albeit against celtic in pre-season. its not his best position and that's why i'd be loathed to play him that deep. for me, he plays the attacking midfield role - no place for hoolahan or butterfield as yet
Ruddy Whittaker Bennett Turner Tierney Bennett E Howson Johnson Pilks Snodgrass Holt With Fox to interchange with Johnson, Butterfield with Howson, Surman to cover the wings, Vaughan, Morrison, Ayala and Rudd on the bench. Much as it would be fun I can't see a midfield having both Wes and Snodgrass in it. I think the E Bennett did enough last season to keep his place and gives us a bit more pace. I can see CH having a tough time picking his best XI, particularly in the midfield/forward areas as there are an awful lot of options and I suppose he will need to ascertain who plays best with whom and go with it. I can see a fair bit of fine tuning going on in our early matches until CH gets his head around the best XI and formation. Nice problem for us to have though - which England U-21 international do we play in midfield this week?
Fair point about Howson, was thinking of how well he played there at Celtic. Also we seem to have so many talented players whose favourite position is in the hole behind the strikers I was trying to find a way to play more than one of them. I too and excited to see all those quality balls heading toward Holty.
The strongest XI will change from game to game, so I don't have a prediction apart from this 11; Goal: HOLT, Backfour: HOLT, HOLT, HOLT, HOLT, Midfield: HOLT, HOLT, HOLT, HOLT, Forwards: HOLT, HOLT. Subs: HOLT, HOLT & HOLT. ILD OTBC
My strongest XI would be: Ruddy R.Martin Turner R. Bennett Tierney Pilkington Howson Fox Snodgrass Holt Vaughan Subs: Rudd, Whittaker, Hoolahan, Morison, Jackson, E. Bennett, Johnson I'd like to add as we have loaned out Ayala to Forest and are low in the full-back department I would like to see a defender/full-back brought into the club, possibly on loan perhaps we could bring in someone like Kyle Naughton - (rermember him anyone??). Also I would like to see a striker brought into the club to give Holt more support and as back-up should anything happen to him during the season e.g. loss of form, suspension, injury as we have not been ruthless enough in front of goal in recent friendles lately.
