Great thread so far and fascinating to see how different the starting 11 could be.
It’s also exciting to see how strong our bench will now be, especially compared to the opening game against Wednesday. A lot of sides aren’t going to be able to cope with the attacking types we can bring on.
Nobody is mentioning Corey Blackett-Taylor. Not for the starting eleven, but having watched him last night if he came on as sub with 20 minutes to go, he would be a match winner. Fast and direct and likes to dribble through defences. He would frighten defenders just like Chuks did.
Nobody is mentioning Corey Blackett-Taylor. Not for the starting eleven, but having watched him last night if he came on as sub with 20 minutes to go, he would be a match winner. Fast and direct and likes to dribble through defences. He would frighten defenders just like Chuks did.
He was very good last night, but he’s not in the conversation to be starting yet.
If he plays like that most weeks then he’ll be playing higher than League One next season, I suspect he blows hot and cold though.
There are going to be a lot of midweek games and we know that NA likes to tinker with his players in midweek. or this reason I think all the first teamer squad will be getting plenty of gametime.
What is quite exciting is this XI: MacGillivray Matthews Inniss Lavelle Purrington Clare JFC DJ Gilbey Kirk Stockley
Ok it's not the best XI, but they are all actually our own players. Proves that even though it means swallowing some further losses, at least we've got something to build on next summer if we don't go up.
#2: Matthews #3: Purrington #4: Arter #5: Famewo #6: Innis #7: Jaiyesimi #8: Morgan #9: Stockley #10: Lee #11: Kirk
Although, I wish we could play 4-4-2 as think Stockley is easily isolated.. But believe Lee at #10 is better quality than Washington in a supporting striker role.
Got some decent options haven't we. Lee for Leko for me. Let's see how this all pans out over the next month's. Encouraging but take nothing for granted now.
On the back of a successful deadline day, we’ve been able to add some real reality into all three areas of the pitch.
Who is a must start, who do we drop? It’s certainly interesting to see how Adkins goes about setting up the team against Cheltenham in a couple of weeks.
To me, this is our strongest 11 on paper:
Can anyone make a case for something else?
I’d have Lee playing Cam and move Leko to the right.
Maybe harsh on Inniss, but it’s vital we have a solid CB partnership. We can’t be having him missing or unable to complete more than an hour.
Great problem to have as long as Adkins works it out and adapts well when necessary. Need to avoid doing a Bowyer and constantly rotating if things aren’t going well, we have the ability there to get results.
I don’t know the answer, got to see how they link up. It’ll be interesting to see if we go back to a form of 4-3-3 or stick with 4-4-2.
The difference is formation from Wigan to Crewe was subtle, the difference in execution was dramatic. How much of that was down to the personnel and how much of that was down to the opposition is the key question.
Adkins said that Washington would play behind Stockley against Crewe. Morgan spent most of the first hour getting shouted at by Stockley for being in the wrong place against Wigan.
The beauty of the 4231/433 is you can tweek it to suit the opposition or situation without major positional changes.
The beauty of 4231 is that we’ve scored no goals from open play with it.
I think there are three starting positions where there is clear competition. Leko and DJ for the one wide forward, Albie/Gilbey/Clare for the box to box type central midfielder and lavelle/innis for CB. I personally think Lee and arter will eventually be clear cut starters
Great problem to have as long as Adkins works it out and adapts well when necessary. Need to avoid doing a Bowyer and constantly rotating if things aren’t going well, we have the ability there to get results.
I don’t know the answer, got to see how they link up. It’ll be interesting to see if we go back to a form of 4-3-3 or stick with 4-4-2.
The difference is formation from Wigan to Crewe was subtle, the difference in execution was dramatic. How much of that was down to the personnel and how much of that was down to the opposition is the key question.
Adkins said that Washington would play behind Stockley against Crewe. Morgan spent most of the first hour getting shouted at by Stockley for being in the wrong place against Wigan.
The beauty of the 4231/433 is you can tweek it to suit the opposition or situation without major positional changes.
The beauty of 4231 is that we’ve scored no goals from open play with it.
MacG
Matthews, Innis, Famewo, New LB
Jaiyesimi, Arter, JFC/Gilbey, Kirk/Lee
Leko, Stockley
We also lost 1 in 10 with it last season. Square pegs in round holes and a bit of a lack of quality has been the problem, not the formation. We played 4231 against Crewe, according to Adkins, but what does he know 🤷♂️
If everybody was fit and on form it would be a different team from the one we can actually pick. Ideally Mac Matthews Inniss Famewo Purrington DJ Arter Lee Kirk Stockley Washington
With a great subs bench of Lavelle, Morgan, Gilbey Leko JFC Gunter
In the next week it would be Mac Matthews Lavelle Famewo Gunter DJ Arter Lee Leko Stockley Washington.
Inniss, Purrington not fit and Kirk's head is not right
I personally feel a 4-2-3-1 would suit the players.
With the options on the bench could always have a back up plan of going with 2 up top if required.
Leko is seen as a versatile forward so can compete for any of the 4 front spots but needs to prove he can hold a regular position not just be a game changer from the bench.
In midfield I would like a ball winner alongside a box to box/playmaker.
So got Arter, Dobson or Watson as the ball winners.
Morgan, Clare & JFC when he returns as the playmakers.
In front as a attacking mid Lee is first choice and as I don't think it suits Morgan more advanced I think Gilbey could fit the role some games last season he showed he can play quick in and around the box and makes quick runs into the box.
We now have a squad capable of pushing for play-offs ideally only missing a more attacking left back as a alternative to Purrington.
How many squads in league one are better than ours now that the window has closed ?
I think maybe just one. Ipswich perhaps.
I honestly would be gutted if this squad only make the playoffs
I would just calm down a bit I think! I think we have clear roots for optimism now but we need to be realistic here. Ipswich, Wigan, Sheffield Wednesday are the ones who come to mind. Pompey as well. Sunderland have a lot of good players but they are young.
2 weeks ago plenty were worried we would be closer to the relegation zone than mid table.
Step one is move away from that scenario which we have. If someone offered me 6th now I would bite their hand off. Dont forget how far off the pace we were just 2 weeks ago. We can look upwards I think, but need to manage expectations. See where we are in a month or 2.
How many squads in league one are better than ours now that the window has closed ?
I think maybe just one. Ipswich perhaps.
I honestly would be gutted if this squad only make the playoffs
I would just calm down a bit I think! I think we have clear roots for optimism now but we need to be realistic here. Ipswich, Wigan, Sheffield Wednesday are the ones who come to mind. Pompey as well. Sunderland have a lot of good players but they are young.
2 weeks ago plenty were worried we would be closer to the relegation zone than mid table.
Step one is move away from that scenario which we have. If someone offered me 6th now I would bite their hand off. Dont forget how far off the pace we were just 2 weeks ago. We can look upwards I think, but need to manage expectations. See where we are in a month or 2.
Ok let me ask you. The teams you have named above, how many of those squads would you swap for ours now ?
Comments
Fully expect Inniss to keep the shirt for the next game.
Fully expect Lavelle to own that spot by the end of the season.
Where that transition happens completely depends on fitness levels.
Matthews Inniss Famewo Purrington
IMO
Matthews Inniss Famewo Purrington
Arter JFC
Jaiyesimi Lee Kirk
Stockley
Subs: Washington, Leko, Gilbey, Morgan, Lavelle, Gunter, Maynard-Brewer
(Edit: pretty mad that I couldn't find a spot for Clare or Dobson... lots of good CMs!)
I won't be shocked if we revert back to 4-3-3 as that seems to be the popular formation these days.
So I expect to see something like this when we get back rolling again.
MacGillvray
Matthews Innis Famewo Purrington
Clare Arter Lee
DJ Stockley Kirk
Bench. Harness, Gunter, Lavelle, Morgan, Gilbey, Leko, Washington
Dobson (who I actually think is decent enough) not even making the bench alongside CBT, Watson, Pearce, Deji, and with JFC to come back.
That looks bloody strong to me. Do feel like things do begin to get bit ropey if we get an injury to Stockley though.
Matthews - Lavelle - Famewo - Purrington
Jaiyesimi - Arter - Gilbey - Kirk
Stockley - Washington
Bench: Harness - Inniss - Pearce - Watson - Morgan - Lee - Leko
If/when he's fit to play, I think he's the best centre back at the club. I'd go as far as to say he's possibly the best centre back in league 1.
Trouble is, you can't rely on him to stay fit
MacGillivray
Matthews Inniss Famewo Purrington
Arter Clare
Jaiyesimi Lee Kirk
Stockley
Harness - lavelle - Gilbey - dobson - Morgan - washington - Leko
MacGillivray
Matthews Inniss Lavelle Purrington
Clare JFC
DJ Gilbey Kirk
Stockley
Ok it's not the best XI, but they are all actually our own players. Proves that even though it means swallowing some further losses, at least we've got something to build on next summer if we don't go up.
#1: MacGillivray
#3: Purrington
#4: Arter
#5: Famewo
#6: Innis
#7: Jaiyesimi
#8: Morgan
#9: Stockley
#10: Lee
#11: Kirk
Although, I wish we could play 4-4-2 as think Stockley is easily isolated.. But believe Lee at #10 is better quality than Washington in a supporting striker role.
Matthews, Innis, Famewo, New LB
Jaiyesimi, Arter, JFC/Gilbey, Kirk/Lee
Leko, Stockley
Ideally
Mac
Matthews Inniss Famewo Purrington
DJ Arter Lee Kirk
Stockley Washington
With a great subs bench of Lavelle, Morgan, Gilbey Leko JFC Gunter
In the next week it would be
Mac
Matthews Lavelle Famewo Gunter
DJ Arter Lee Leko
Stockley Washington.
Inniss, Purrington not fit and Kirk's head is not right
But still a good sub's bench
How many squads in league one are better than ours now that the window has closed ?
I think maybe just one. Ipswich perhaps.
I honestly would be gutted if this squad only make the playoffs
With the options on the bench could always have a back up plan of going with 2 up top if required.
Leko is seen as a versatile forward so can compete for any of the 4 front spots but needs to prove he can hold a regular position not just be a game changer from the bench.
In midfield I would like a ball winner alongside a box to box/playmaker.
So got Arter, Dobson or Watson as the ball winners.
Morgan, Clare & JFC when he returns as the playmakers.
In front as a attacking mid Lee is first choice and as I don't think it suits Morgan more advanced I think Gilbey could fit the role some games last season he showed he can play quick in and around the box and makes quick runs into the box.
We now have a squad capable of pushing for play-offs ideally only missing a more attacking left back as a alternative to Purrington.
Matthews Inniss Famewo Purrington
SUBS from: Harness, Washington, Lavelle, Dobson, Davison, Leko, Clare, Deji, Gunter, CBT, Burstow
I think Lee could be absolutely crucial this season. First name on teamsheet type signing.
2 weeks ago plenty were worried we would be closer to the relegation zone than mid table.
Step one is move away from that scenario which we have. If someone offered me 6th now I would bite their hand off. Dont forget how far off the pace we were just 2 weeks ago. We can look upwards I think, but need to manage expectations. See where we are in a month or 2.