Selling Ricky would be a colossal mistake, I know he's only 1 player, but he puts the fizz in our play, and makes us tick, great work rate today at both ends of the pitch, which I hadn't appreciated before, do like Clarke thought he was a bit in and out today.
Kashi. He is the launching pad for so much of what we do, and his reading of the game and ability to stop the ball or drop into different defensive positions on the pitch allows Clarke and Holmes the freedom going forward.
Don't get me wrong, Holmes and Clarke are both wonderful players, but from what I've seen I think Kashi is the best in the league.
Hard to say who out of our team would be first on the teamsheet, but with our attacking, passing style, and lack of height in midfield, the CBs are crucial. Pearce and Bauer have been an excellent combination this season, and with the style of football we are playing, have a massive job to do.
There's an arguement for most players but when Holmes has had a hand in most of our goals this season it's difficult to look beyond him as influencial as Pearce or Magennis are.
Has to be Pearce for me. While I would not be happy about Holmes being out (he is probably the best player in the league), we have Marshall, Fosu, Clarke, Reeves and KAG to come in and deputise. If Pearce is out, our CB options would be Sarr, Lennon, Konsa and Bauer, all good players in their own right but all still young, inexperienced and likely to be bullied regularly. We were pretty shocking defensively when Pearce was out last year. He's also a real leader, and him and Solly are the only two 'captain style' players who turn out regularly.
What a brilliant question that makes a nice change from the rubbish over the last few years.
I would say Holmes at the minute, always capable of a goal and a joy to watch. But cases can be made for Dasilva, Solly, Pearce, Kashi, Clarke and Magennis.
Looking at the squad, I would say by the end of the season it will either be Kashi or Magennis.
Dijksteel looks promising and could probably cover Solly, as could Konsa. Konsa also covers Bauer and Pearce, while Page could cover Dasilva. We will have Clarke, Reeves, Holmes, Marshall and Fosu fighting for 3 places. Obviously nice to have the option of all 5, but you could have 1 of them out every match and still have a very good player coming off the bench.
Not saying we wouldn't miss players like Holmes and Pearce (Clarke at the minute) but we would have suitable cover.
Early days on Dodoo but Magennis will be key. As will Kashi as don't think we have anyone like him now Crofts is gone.
Sorry for long-winded post (bit of sauce), but my answer is Holmes at the minute, Kashi by the end of the season (fingers crossed he's still here).
It’s all very well having a great pianist playing but it’s no good if you haven’t got anyone to get the piano on the stage in the first place, otherwise the pianist would be standing there with no bloody piano to play.
So kashi for me
It was Bill Shankly who said 'A football team is like a piano. You need eight men to carry it and three who can play the damn thing'. I think we’re getting pretty close with Amos Solly, Baur, Pierce, Kashi, Forster Caskey, Fosu Henry and Magennis as shifters. Holmes, Clarke and DaSilva tickling the ivories.
It’s all very well having a great pianist playing but it’s no good if you haven’t got anyone to get the piano on the stage in the first place, otherwise the pianist would be standing there with no bloody piano to play.
So kashi for me
It was Bill Shankly who said 'A football team is like a piano. You need eight men to carry it and three who can play the damn thing'. I think we’re getting pretty close with Amos Solly, Baur, Pierce, Kashi, Forster Caskey, Fosu Henry and Magennis as shifters. Holmes, Clarke and DaSilva tickling the ivories.
The thing with Kashi, or players like him, you only need 6 others to carry it. To paraphrase we play 3 in midfield, JFC with Kashi either side of him.
He is so good at this level we could play 4-1-4-1 or 4-1-3-2 at times.
Dijksteel looks promising and could probably cover Solly, as could Konsa. Konsa also covers Bauer and Pearce, while Page could cover Dasilva. We will have Clarke, Reeves, Holmes, Marshall and Fosu fighting for 3 places. Obviously nice to have the option of all 5, but you could have 1 of them out every match and still have a very good player coming off the bench.
I'd be worried about Konsa replacing Pearce, that he doesn't have the physical strength to deal with some of the big lumps this division has. If one of our CBs was injured, it would be interesting whether Konsa or Sarr got the nod
From the 3 games I've seen live I would say there are 5 maybe 6 names that pick themselves, but if forced to choose I would probably have Pearce first on the team sheet, yes Solly is captain but Peace is the one leading and instructing during the game.
Holmes, Mag, Clarke and Kashi all have a case to be made for first name on the team sheet, most important player, star man, unsung hero or whatever you want to call it but in order for those in front to do their thing you must have a solid defence to build on and Pearce is the leader of that defence.
This team ain't a lot different to our previous League 1 winning team, solid defence, tight midfield with goal scorers and a few special players, Holmes, Mag Kashi and Clark (Kerm Jackson, BWP and Stephens) Not the biggest in defensive situations but able to break out very fast and score more than we let in. We let a few in that season if you remember but always managed to see a game out.
Based on the Southend game, just don't get the mass man love for Clark or the mass slagging that Joe Hart junior gets.
Clark is a good player of course and very pleased to have him compared to the litany of embarrassing shite which Mowgli has inflicted on us over the last few years but first on the team sheet- really?
Pearce Holmes Bauer Solly Josh (because there is no other option ) ditto for Joe Hart junior
They are the key players for me. The other five come later.
Perhaps a more serious question is "which two players can we least afford to have injured?"
I'd actually have Dasilva as one of the most important to keep fit in that aspect as his injury would force Jackson to play every week till either Jay or Lewis is fit...
Is definitely our weakest position no disrespect to Johnnie yet every other position does have backup with experience or kids able to fill in their natural positions.
If we didnt play Jacko at LB then it would either be Dijksteel or Barnes out of position or we'd be forced to call up Archie Edwards
Perhaps a more serious question is "which two players can we least afford to have injured?"
I'd actually have Dasilva as one of the most important to keep fit in that aspect as his injury would force Jackson to play every week till either Jay or Lewis is fit...
Is definitely our weakest position no disrespect to Johnnie yet every other position does have backup with experience or kids able to fill in their natural positions.
If we didnt play Jacko at LB then it would either be Dijksteel or Barnes out of position or we'd be forced to call up Archie Edwards
I'd prefer to move Solly to left back and play one of the youngsters in their correct position.
Comments
It has to be Holmes, scores goals and gives the team it's energy and propels us forward.
He's our League One Iniesta.
Don't get me wrong, Holmes and Clarke are both wonderful players, but from what I've seen I think Kashi is the best in the league.
I would say Holmes at the minute, always capable of a goal and a joy to watch. But cases can be made for Dasilva, Solly, Pearce, Kashi, Clarke and Magennis.
Looking at the squad, I would say by the end of the season it will either be Kashi or Magennis.
Dijksteel looks promising and could probably cover Solly, as could Konsa. Konsa also covers Bauer and Pearce, while Page could cover Dasilva. We will have Clarke, Reeves, Holmes, Marshall and Fosu fighting for 3 places. Obviously nice to have the option of all 5, but you could have 1 of them out every match and still have a very good player coming off the bench.
Not saying we wouldn't miss players like Holmes and Pearce (Clarke at the minute) but we would have suitable cover.
Early days on Dodoo but Magennis will be key. As will Kashi as don't think we have anyone like him now Crofts is gone.
Sorry for long-winded post (bit of sauce), but my answer is Holmes at the minute, Kashi by the end of the season (fingers crossed he's still here).
I think we’re getting pretty close with Amos Solly, Baur, Pierce, Kashi, Forster Caskey, Fosu Henry and Magennis as shifters. Holmes, Clarke and DaSilva tickling the ivories.
Kashi for me - mobility and composure , even on his average days like yesterday
He is so good at this level we could play 4-1-4-1 or 4-1-3-2 at times.
Holmes, Mag, Clarke and Kashi all have a case to be made for first name on the team sheet, most important player, star man, unsung hero or whatever you want to call it but in order for those in front to do their thing you must have a solid defence to build on and Pearce is the leader of that defence.
Clark is a good player of course and very pleased to have him compared to the litany of embarrassing shite which Mowgli has inflicted on us over the last few years but first on the team sheet- really?
Pearce
Holmes
Bauer
Solly
Josh (because there is no other option )
ditto for Joe Hart junior
They are the key players for me. The other five come later.
Holmes
Kashi
Clarke
Desilva
Solly
Pearce
Magennis
JFC
Bauer
Fosu
Amos
IMO!
Is definitely our weakest position no disrespect to Johnnie yet every other position does have backup with experience or kids able to fill in their natural positions.
If we didnt play Jacko at LB then it would either be Dijksteel or Barnes out of position or we'd be forced to call up Archie Edwards