So...what might be your starting XI when it really matters MA...and where do you think the real need for strengthening remains?
Based on just two 45 minute practice matches, it's not much of a basis to judge things on but I will give it a go......... based on the fluid 1-4-3-3 we saw in both halve yesterday.
Keeper. Carson out through injury received in training on Friday. Both Roos and Mitchell were faultless. Ross had almost nothing to do. Mitchell slightly more, he went the right way for their penalty but couldn't get a hand to it.
Carson
Right back. Both Bogle and Wisdom played well. I was, however, more impressed with Bogle who looks the real deal. Far more lively than Wisdom and also looked to go forward with the ball whereas Wisdom constantly checked to go inside or backwards slowing down the play. I think Bogle will appeal to FL.
Bogle
Right side Centre half. Keogh or Hanson. Hanson is better as a DM.
Keogh
Left side CH. Both played well but Davies is a class above Pearce.
Davies
Left back. Two very good performances. I think Lowe is going to have to wait for his chance as Fozzy looked like the pre injury Fozzy again.
Forsyth
Midfield. Huddlestone is a shoe in. Ledley played well enough but others were better. Johnson played just shy of an hour and did well. Bryson also had just shy of an hour and impressed. Elsink started slowly but got into the game well. Butterfield was jeered onto the park by a few eejits but he started a couple of good moves with decent forwards passes and got about the park well. Closer to the "old" Butters than we have seen for a while than the one who was sent out on loan.
Huddlestone, Johnson and Bryson with Elsink my first choice for the bench.
Up top. A choice between Nuge, Jerome, Blackman, Bennett, Lawrence and Thomas. None of them had a bad game and all could get in, yes, even Blackman. He made a couple of errors but got into some great positions and was unlucky not to get a decent pass from a teammate. One blocked shot of his saw Bennett pick up the loose ball and score. Based simply on these two 45 minute showings, I would be tempted to go the lightweight route. They got 3 goals between them and Lawro hit the bar with a cracking 25 yarder.
Lawrence, Bennett, Thomas.
Again, these thoughts are based on just one game in which most players got 45 minutes, two got an hour and two got just 30 minutes.