I expect one or two more faces, but what would your starting XI be for this season based on the squad that have reported back to training. You don't have to stick to KR's 4-2-3-1
I don't really know mine yet, but would be keen to read yours
Phillips Solly Sue Parkes (subbed after 40 mins (maybe earlier depending on which way we are kicking) - so she can get to the Half Time Vol-Au-Vents.) Konsa Pearce Marshall Kashi JFC Aribo Watt Magennis
Any keeper we have left, Lennon, Crofts, Aribo, Fosu, Watt, Ajose.
Rationale - Konsa and Lennon can cover LB, RB and are natural CB so get in over Bauer/Tex. Konsa can cover DM at a push though i don't think he's great there. Would like to see JFC given the chance to be box to box and think he'd benefit from Kashi behind him and having Clarke's creativity around him. Holmes and Marshall are automatics on current squad, as is Magennis. Crofts is only really there as if you're going to have 3 CM, CAMs then you need adequate numbers to back up on the bench.
Both striker back ups offer something different - Watt's creativity/trickery and Ajose poaching. Either can cover out wide at a push if there's an injury etc.
- Up front that leaves Novak, Hanlan and KAG battling it out for a place on the bench.
- no wide players in reserve although KAG can offer some cover
- In midfield you have Jackson and Dijksteel (not enough but I may have missed someone)
- defense has cover of Tex and Bauer at CB and Barnes at RB. I'm not sure if Archie Edwards is still around. We need better full back cover given Solly and Page aren't exactly 40+ games a year players (on current evidence).
Yes he can. I have seen him play for both the U18s and U23s as a left back. He is more comfortable at right back, but the left side is not uncommon to him.
Pearce and Konsa is our best CB partnership imo, Pearces leadership and Konsa's athleticism. Feel that Bauer made too many mistakes last season but would have him on the bench ahead of Tex.
KFC began to show signs of being a decent CM last season so would give him the jersey and tell him to lose it. Crofts supplies leadership and would have him in ahead of Kashi, who shouldn't waltz back in the team after being away for so long. Djiksteel and Aribo would provide other options in the middle.
Holmes and Marshall are two quality wingers for the level and Fosu can come on for whichever is more tired after 70 minutes. Until/If Reeves is signed I'd give Clarke that number 10 role, he can play striker as well so we could transition easily into a 442 without substitutes, or a 4141 with a change.
Ajose, Jackson, Tex, Novak would have to battle to get in the squad, though we still need two full backs and another No10.
I'm doing this assuming Tex will leave, and I suspect Bauer will as well. The problem is three of our center backs at that point would all be left footed (Sarr, Pearce, Lennon--though Sarr will probably go too).
We clearly need cover at fullback, and possibly in central defense depending on how many go. But that first 11 should easily be challenging for the title in this league. What happens when injuries hit is another story, but that's a very strong first 11 on paper.
When Reeves and Da Silva do sign and Holmes stays then that is exactly the same side as i would pick. Should be good enough for the top 6 minimum.
Changed it for you
It looks very strong and even better with some of the players not even involved in what's been mentioned. Feel there's an attractive and attacking balance to that side. Four left footed players is important too.
Comments
Solly
Warman
Pearce
Bauer
KFC
Ahmed
Marshall
Clarke
Fosu
Magennis
Solly
Sue Parkes (subbed after 40 mins (maybe earlier depending on which way we are kicking) - so she can get to the Half Time Vol-Au-Vents.)
Konsa
Pearce
Marshall
Kashi
JFC
Aribo
Watt
Magennis
He's off isn't he?
Solly, Konsa, Pearce, Page
Kashi
JFC, Clarke
Marshall, Holmes (both on wings)
Magennis
On bench:
Any keeper we have left, Lennon, Crofts, Aribo, Fosu, Watt, Ajose.
Rationale - Konsa and Lennon can cover LB, RB and are natural CB so get in over Bauer/Tex. Konsa can cover DM at a push though i don't think he's great there. Would like to see JFC given the chance to be box to box and think he'd benefit from Kashi behind him and having Clarke's creativity around him. Holmes and Marshall are automatics on current squad, as is Magennis. Crofts is only really there as if you're going to have 3 CM, CAMs then you need adequate numbers to back up on the bench.
Both striker back ups offer something different - Watt's creativity/trickery and Ajose poaching. Either can cover out wide at a push if there's an injury etc.
- Up front that leaves Novak, Hanlan and KAG battling it out for a place on the bench.
- no wide players in reserve although KAG can offer some cover
- In midfield you have Jackson and Dijksteel (not enough but I may have missed someone)
- defense has cover of Tex and Bauer at CB and Barnes at RB. I'm not sure if Archie Edwards is still around. We need better full back cover given Solly and Page aren't exactly 40+ games a year players (on current evidence).
Solly
Bauer
Pearce
Barnes
Kashi
Forster caskey
Marshall
Holmes
Fosu
Magennis
Solly, Baeur, Pearce, Barnes
Kashi, Forster- Caskey
Holmes,Marshall.
Jones
Magennis.
Subs Beeney, Konsa, Fosu, Page, Novak, Watt Aribo
Otherwise, fitness permitting I would guess that is the team in KRs head.
Surprised how many others overlooking Clarke who was said to be our first choice in the No. 10 position.
Solly Teixeira Bauer Pearce
Marshall Kashi JFC Holmes
Clarke Magennis
Beeney Barnes Crofts Fosu Aribo Watt Novak
Barnes Konsa Lennon Edwards
Charles-Cook Lapslie Dijksteel Aribo
Ahearne-Grant Hanlan
Subs
Beeney, Solly, Yao, Carter, Yamfam, Kennedy and Umerah
4-4-2 that moves into a diamond in attack. Probably something to test in a training game v the u23s.
Solly -- Texiera -- Pearce -- Page
------- Kashi ---- Aribo
Holmes ----- Clarke ----- Marshall
-----------Maggenis
Solly Pearce Bauer Barnes
Kashi Konsa
Holmes Clarke Marshall
Maggenis
Phillips
Solly Pearce Konsa Page
Fosu Kashi Aribo Marshall
Holmes
Magennis
Solly Bauer Pearce Dasilva
Kashi Forster-Caskey
Marshall Reeves Holmes
Magennis
Martin, Konsa, Aribo, Fosu, Clarke, Watt, Novak
Solly. Pearce. Konsa. DaSilva
Kashi. Forster Caskey
Marshall. Reeves. Holmes
?
Phillips. Dijsteel, Charles Cook, Bauer, Maggenis, Clarke, Fosu
Solly
Bauer
Pearce
Page
Marshall
Forster Caskey
Kashi
Crofts
Holmes
Magennis
Yep defensive but Kashi can break forward as can FC or Crofts.
Solly - Pearce - Konsa - Page
KFC - Crofts
Marshall - Clarke - Holmes
Magennis
Beeney - Bauer - Djiksteel - Fosu - Aribo - Watt - Kashi
Pearce and Konsa is our best CB partnership imo, Pearces leadership and Konsa's athleticism. Feel that Bauer made too many mistakes last season but would have him on the bench ahead of Tex.
KFC began to show signs of being a decent CM last season so would give him the jersey and tell him to lose it. Crofts supplies leadership and would have him in ahead of Kashi, who shouldn't waltz back in the team after being away for so long. Djiksteel and Aribo would provide other options in the middle.
Holmes and Marshall are two quality wingers for the level and Fosu can come on for whichever is more tired after 70 minutes. Until/If Reeves is signed I'd give Clarke that number 10 role, he can play striker as well so we could transition easily into a 442 without substitutes, or a 4141 with a change.
Ajose, Jackson, Tex, Novak would have to battle to get in the squad, though we still need two full backs and another No10.
I'd be surprised if Kashi, Teixeira or even Bauer play for us again. There will also be some additions between now and early August.
Solly...Konsa...Pearce...Ummmmmm (Lennon)
.........Kashi.....JFC
Marshall.....Clarke.....Holmes
...............Magennis
Phillips, Sarr, Barnes, Aribo, Crofts, Watt, Novak
I'm doing this assuming Tex will leave, and I suspect Bauer will as well. The problem is three of our center backs at that point would all be left footed (Sarr, Pearce, Lennon--though Sarr will probably go too).
We clearly need cover at fullback, and possibly in central defense depending on how many go. But that first 11 should easily be challenging for the title in this league. What happens when injuries hit is another story, but that's a very strong first 11 on paper.
Should be good enough for the top 6 minimum.
It looks very strong and even better with some of the players not even involved in what's been mentioned. Feel there's an attractive and attacking balance to that side. Four left footed players is important too.