Your first XI

nibbles

Vital Champions League
Assuming everyone fit and in the formation of your choice?

Holy

O’Neil
Ehmer
Zakuani
Garmston

Bingham
Reilly
Parret

Parker
Eaves
Hanlon

Subs: Lacey, Rees, Fuller, Hadler, Charles-Cook, Oldaker, List

Based on Lovell’s comments I’ll go with three in the centre and opt for a 4-3-3 / 4-5-1.
 
What a fatuous thread when barely any of us have seen any of the new signings perform yet in friendlies.

That’s a bit rich coming from you Philk :eek!:

Without question it’s based on what people have seen or heard about certain players - nobody will be hauled in front of the committee for getting it wrong and people are entitled to change their minds at any point.

I knew while writing it that there would be at least one defensive response saying they couldn’t possibly answer - similar to the posters who couldn’t possibly predict where we’ll finish until after 10/20/45 games have been played.
 
That’s a bit rich coming from you Philk :eek!:

Without question it’s based on what people have seen or heard about certain players - nobody will be hauled in front of the committee for getting it wrong and people are entitled to change their minds at any point.

I knew while writing it that there would be at least one defensive response saying they couldn’t possibly answer - similar to the posters who couldn’t possibly predict where we’ll finish until after 10/20/45 games have been played.
So how many times have you seen or heard informed opinions about our new signings? Fatuous is kind!
 
So how many times have you seen or heard informed opinions about our new signings? Fatuous is kind!

I’ve seen and read informed opinions from a range of sources about all our signings. I’ve seen Parrett play several League One games and Fuller nearly a hundred games. I’ve only seen video footage of the other signings. This is enough for me to form an early opinion without needing to nail my colours to any mast.
 
I’ve seen and read informed opinions from a range of sources about all our signings. I’ve seen Parrett play several League One games and Fuller nearly a hundred games. I’ve only seen video footage of the other signings. This is enough for me to form an early opinion without needing to nail my colours to any mast.
Fair enough. Point taken. Let's compare your selection with the one SL picks on 4 August
 
Don't think you'll be far away from being right with that team Nibbles.

I'd go with 4-1-3-2

Holy

O'Neill
Ehmer
Zak
Garmston

Bingham

Parret
Byrne
Reilly

Parker
Hanlon


Subs. Wilkinson, Hadler,Fuller, Eeeeves, Lacey, Rees, Charles Cook.

Disclaimer. I haven't seen them play, or what colour under pants they might be wearing or who SL May have taken bribes off but ill still have a guess, just please don't put me in the stocks and throw rotten fruit at me if I don't get it right.
 
Based purely on pre-season (SL has said everyone has a chance to impress) Hanlon, Nash and Moussa have all been impressive in front of goal, Henry Woods reminds me a bit of a young Messi and is worth a try against better opposition to get a true indication of his ability. Parrett has looked very lively and is certainly worth keeping an eye on.
 
I should add that Woods needs to show me his left foot, unlike Dack who seemed comfortable using either, Woods seems to favour his right.
 
Assuming everyone fit and in the formation of your choice?

Holy

O’Neil
Ehmer
Zakuani
Garmston

Bingham
Reilly
Parret

Parker
Eaves
Hanlon

Subs: Lacey, Rees, Fuller, Hadler, Charles-Cook, Oldaker, List

Based on Lovell’s comments I’ll go with three in the centre and opt for a 4-3-3 / 4-5-1.

From what I have seen of Hanlon (you Tube, etc) and I know of Parker, that is a real 4-3-3 as neither of them would sit easy in a 4-5-1 away from home.

I would probably swap Byrne for Hanlon in a 4-4-2 but agree with the rest.

Naturally a point is made in excluding the current whipping boy Wilkinson from the subs bench but I would be amazed if he did not make that ahead of one of Rees, Charles-Cook or Hanlon (for the future) or Fuller (back up when injuries and suspensions set in - otherwise involved in coaching)
 
Naturally a point is made in excluding the current whipping boy Wilkinson from the subs bench but I would be amazed if he did not make that ahead of one of Rees, Charles-Cook or Hanlon (for the future) or Fuller (back up when injuries and suspensions set in - otherwise involved in coaching)

I certainly wasn’t making a point of leaving Wilkinson out of the squad but thought purely of who would be most likely to be able to change a game from the bench if required.

On reflection, and looking at the height of the players I’ve gone for on the bench, I think Wilkinson would actually merit a place - at the expense of Fuller who can only play right back but I had included as someone to come on and be a steadying influence.

I think we have good strength in depth that decent players won’t even make the matchday squad. If Moussa is signed that gives Lovell another welcome dilemma.

Lots of decent players but what we lack is a 8 or 9/10 player - how many teams have one of those at these level though?
 
Lots of decent players but what we lack is a 8 or 9/10 player - how many teams have one of those at these level though?

I agree. Same thing I thought about England. Although Kane has ended up with the Golden Boot I don't think we had a single individual with the X factor that would rate them as world class. That makes the team's achievement even more commendable.

At least we had a 8/9/10 player in Dack very recently. When was the last time the likes of Shrewsbury had one of those?

Also, some posters have suggested that we need to sign a proven fifteen goal a season striker at this level. Wouldn't any player of that description be looking for a move to the championship or at least a team like Sunderland?
 
Don't think you'll be far away from being right with that team Nibbles.

I'd go with 4-1-3-2

Holy

O'Neill
Ehmer
Zak
Garmston

Bingham

Parret
Byrne
Reilly

Parker
Hanlon


Subs. Wilkinson, Hadler,Fuller, Eeeeves, Lacey, Rees, Charles Cook.

Disclaimer. I haven't seen them play, or what colour under pants they might be wearing or who SL May have taken bribes off but ill still have a guess, just please don't put me in the stocks and throw rotten fruit at me if I don't get it right.
A team without Eeves? What nonsense!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Don't think you'll be far away from being right with that team Nibbles.

I'd go with 4-1-3-2

Holy

O'Neill
Ehmer
Zak
Garmston

Bingham

Parret
Byrne
Reilly

Parker
Hanlon


Subs. Wilkinson, Hadler,Fuller, Eeeeves, Lacey, Rees, Charles Cook.

Disclaimer. I haven't seen them play, or what colour under pants they might be wearing or who SL May have taken bribes off but ill still have a guess, just please don't put me in the stocks and throw rotten fruit at me if I don't get it right.
What do you know about Hanlon to pick him ahead of Eeves? It's like verbal diarrhea.