Our Best Starting 11

[Salvatore Matrecano]

It's a squad game though not a first eleven game.

No team will ever go the whole season unchanged and not make any subs during a match.

Injuries, suspensions, AFCON, loss of form will all kick in.

We now have a much stronger SQUAD to cope with all of that.

Yes 100% agree with that.
Would also say its now a 16 man game rather than 11 man

Just a point is the strongest 11 we can put on the pitch better now?

[Sausage Roll]

That's the thing, we just don't know. You've said you wouldn't swap Montiel for Aurier and Dominguez for Yates and I get that based on the latter two's performances for us. But we've not seen how the two Argentinians play for us yet (much). They might both turn out to be amazing. Same with Vlachodimos for Henderson/Navas - they were both good but both had their flaws.

[wassy04]

That's the thing, we just don't know. You've said you wouldn't swap Montiel for Aurier and Dominguez for Yates and I get that based on the latter two's performances for us. But we've not seen how the two Argentinians play for us yet (much). They might both turn out to be amazing. Same with Vlachodimos for Henderson/Navas - they were both good but both had their flaws.

This was basically my whole point, we might have a much improved team or we have just have more to add to the bomb squad. The squad looks better on paper but the first team looks similar without seeing how these guys develop. So the idea were suddenly a top ten side is a stretch right now. Trying to pump the brakes a bit on expectations.

We've signed one guy that we can probably be confident will improve the starting 11 right now. It's a wait and see on the rest until further notice. 

I think Aurier has been fantastic for us so Montiel would have to be pretty good to be better than him! Maybe I'm biased after reading that Athletic article on him though, who recommended I read that!

[McDurban]

Picking up on Wassys point on the other thread. Is the strongest 11 we can put put on the pitch now after our 13 additions really better than the strongest 11 we could put on the pitch last season?

Here is our line up vs Arsenal in May
12 Navas
4Worrall
38Felipe Substituted for Boly 79'minutes
19Niakhaté
24Aurier
22Yates
5Mangala
32Lodi
10Gibbs-White
28Danilo Substituted for Kouyaté 73'minutes
9Awoniyi Substituted forJohnson 79'minutes


Lets Assume Navas Lodi and Johnson are all still available for us.
Who out of the above drops out to make way for any of our new 13?

Sangare probably for Mangala
Some may say Aina for Lodi although I disagree
Anyone else?

Genuinely interested what people think.

What does the bench look like?
That is where the impact the new signings make will be greatest.
Potentially Aurier, Yates, Danilo and Mangala all coming off the bench in a game as opposed to starting.
It's also way to soon to know what the new crop is capable of.

[Fumanchew]

Substitutes

13
W Hennessey
15
H Toffolo
16
S Surridge
20
B Johnson
21
C Kouyaté
23
R Freuler
25
Dennis
30
W Boly
34
A Ayew

[Salvatore Matrecano]

Substitutes

13
W Hennessey ~ Vlachodimos Stronger
15
H Toffolo. ~. Tavares Not sure
16
S Surridge. ~ Wood Stronger, at least proven
20
B Johnson ~ Origi Different, think Johnson stronger, Origi has different qualities
21
C Kouyaté ~ Sangare, much stronger, assume starts. Mangala is likely bench
23
R Freuler. ~ Dominguez Stronger
25
Dennis. ~ Elanga. Stronger
30
W Boly. ~ Still here added Murillo/Omo both unproven
34
A Ayew. ~ Hudson-Odoi. Not sure if he works out but its a low bar to improve!

[optimistic_red]

I believe that cooper wants to play 3 at the back (3 not 5). Use wingbacks as the width. Pack the middle of the pitch with big, strong, mobile, dynamic midfielders. Play counter attacking football. Difference this year will be instead of just hoofing long ball in the vague direction of Johnson and hope, we will play on floor with a few quick passes.

I agree with SM earlier post. 1st 11 is an old way to look at team, when 15/16 pay each game, who comes off the bench and the impact they have is vitally important to getting results.

[Sausage Roll]

Indeed. Both our winning goals this season so far were scored by substitutes.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

I had to laugh at Nuno's answer to that reporters question about our best eleven.

Have you heard it?

Nuno wasn't happy.

[Salvatore Matrecano]

What was the question? Implying he would deliberately pick a weakened team? Not that we have much option.

[Tricky]

I had to laugh at Nuno's answer to that reporters question about our best eleven.

Have you heard it?

Nuno wasn't happy.

Nuno seemed pissed off all the way through that Presser

[zicorice]

He has a point. Best XI changes based on injury, form, development etc. For instance we could perm about 3 different back 4s this season. All struggled.

Our "best" CB has barely played all season, but an unknown youngster has burst onto the scene and is really starting to look the part (early days, but judging by contrasting performances against Solanki, he is learning fast how to deal with  high balls).

Now Omobamidele has come in too. No more Worrall or McKenna (best wishes to both) and Niakhate and Boly have a scrap on their hands to get in best XI. With Felipe now knocking on door too, if fully fit also worth considering.

Full backs ' same. Perm 2 from Toff, Ola, Williams, Montiel and even Taveres. On any given day all can be good or bad.

Tomorrow nights team will be interesting.