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What’s our best starting 11?

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  • DamoNorthStand
    DamoNorthStand Posts: 10,954
    edited September 2021
    AndyG said:
    DamoNorthStand said:
    AndyG said:
    Not wishing to spark off a row... BUT.

    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 ? 
    Ipswich, Wigan, Sheff Weds are the ones.

    We are not standing out to other fans of other teams - looking at other club forums in league one nobody really seems to rate us or our business. They are all calling out the three clubs above as being strong, along with Sunderland.

    I dont mind going under the radar but (and I am not knocking this) it is classic behaviour of every fan to rate their own team. 

    That promotion team under Powell was instantly different. I remember leaving the valley after demolishing Bournemouth totally convinced we were going up. So I haven't been negative all my life!

    And I dont't feel negative now. I feel 'cautiously optimistic'. Happy to have £50 for the Upbeats we wont be top two. We are much better than we were - but not that good.
  • AndyG
    AndyG Posts: 5,921
    DamoNorthStand said:
    AndyG said:
    DamoNorthStand said:
    AndyG said:
    Not wishing to spark off a row... BUT.

    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 ? 
    Ipswich, Wigan, Sheff Weds are the ones.

    We are not standing out to other fans of other teams - looking at other club forums in league one nobody really seems to rate us or our business. They are all calling out the three clubs above as being strong, along with Sunderland.

    I dont mind going under the radar but (and I am not knocking this) it is classic behaviour of every fan to rate their own team. 

    That promotion team under Powell was instantly different. I remember leaving the valley after demolishing Bournemouth totally convinced we were going up. So I haven't been negative all my life!

    And I dont't feel negative now. I feel 'cautiously optimistic'. Happy to have £50 for the Upbeats we wont be top two. We are much better than we were - but not that good.
    Only because you mentioned the upbeats I will take the bet mate just a bit of fun and add a bit of spice hopefully in the run in 😁
  • DamoNorthStand
    DamoNorthStand Posts: 10,954
    AndyG said:
    DamoNorthStand said:
    AndyG said:
    DamoNorthStand said:
    AndyG said:
    Not wishing to spark off a row... BUT.

    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 ? 
    Ipswich, Wigan, Sheff Weds are the ones.

    We are not standing out to other fans of other teams - looking at other club forums in league one nobody really seems to rate us or our business. They are all calling out the three clubs above as being strong, along with Sunderland.

    I dont mind going under the radar but (and I am not knocking this) it is classic behaviour of every fan to rate their own team. 

    That promotion team under Powell was instantly different. I remember leaving the valley after demolishing Bournemouth totally convinced we were going up. So I haven't been negative all my life!

    And I dont't feel negative now. I feel 'cautiously optimistic'. Happy to have £50 for the Upbeats we wont be top two. We are much better than we were - but not that good.
    Only because you mentioned the upbeats I will take the bet mate just a bit of fun and add a bit of spice hopefully in the run in 😁
    Nice one - bonus all round whatever happens!
  • AndyG
    AndyG Posts: 5,921
    DamoNorthStand said:
    AndyG said:
    DamoNorthStand said:
    AndyG said:
    DamoNorthStand said:
    AndyG said:
    Not wishing to spark off a row... BUT.

    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 ? 
    Ipswich, Wigan, Sheff Weds are the ones.

    We are not standing out to other fans of other teams - looking at other club forums in league one nobody really seems to rate us or our business. They are all calling out the three clubs above as being strong, along with Sunderland.

    I dont mind going under the radar but (and I am not knocking this) it is classic behaviour of every fan to rate their own team. 

    That promotion team under Powell was instantly different. I remember leaving the valley after demolishing Bournemouth totally convinced we were going up. So I haven't been negative all my life!

    And I dont't feel negative now. I feel 'cautiously optimistic'. Happy to have £50 for the Upbeats we wont be top two. We are much better than we were - but not that good.
    Only because you mentioned the upbeats I will take the bet mate just a bit of fun and add a bit of spice hopefully in the run in 😁
    Nice one - bonus all round whatever happens!
    Yup exactly
  • Scoham
    Scoham Posts: 37,436
    DamoNorthStand said:
    AndyG said:
    DamoNorthStand said:
    AndyG said:
    Not wishing to spark off a row... BUT.

    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 ? 
    Ipswich, Wigan, Sheff Weds are the ones.

    We are not standing out to other fans of other teams - looking at other club forums in league one nobody really seems to rate us or our business. They are all calling out the three clubs above as being strong, along with Sunderland.

    I dont mind going under the radar but (and I am not knocking this) it is classic behaviour of every fan to rate their own team. 

    That promotion team under Powell was instantly different. I remember leaving the valley after demolishing Bournemouth totally convinced we were going up. So I haven't been negative all my life!

    And I dont't feel negative now. I feel 'cautiously optimistic'. Happy to have £50 for the Upbeats we wont be top two. We are much better than we were - but not that good.
    I’m not expecting top two but those three were always going to be the clubs opposition fans rate the highest. Two appear to have spent a lot of money and the other are known for being massive.

    I doubt it’ll go smoothly for all three, this league is rarely as predictable as that.
  • cabbles
    cabbles Posts: 15,261
    We’ve got a lot of midfielders.  I think Lee will turn out to be a real coup.  Personally I think the way he moves shows he has a lot more to offer than Gilbey.  Long way back for him personally.  We need Arter to show his class.  

    I think Kirk will come good, so the options around Stockley will be very interesting.  DJ, Kirk, Washington and Leko, that’s not bad, plus Blackett Taylor could be a wild card 

    Morgan may be better suited to dropping deeper now there’s less pressure on him to play an advanced role given Lee’s arrival 

    I have my concerns about the full back positions if I’m honest.  I remember how effective someone like a Wiggins was.  Even with Matthews I’m unsure.  

    I saw 3-5-2 on page 1 I think.  Not with our existing full backs.

    It’s got some real potential, but it’s also a tough one to visualize now 

    I’ll go 

    McG

    Matthews Lavelle Famewo Purrington 

    Arter Clare

    DJ Lee Kirk

    Stockley 
  • thewolfboy
    thewolfboy Posts: 2,931
    I hope Davison gets an opportunity, as he was excellent last night. I note that everyone expects Arter to walk into the team but he has a question mark against him, as does Leko. I think we have a good spine of Mac, Inniss/Lavelle, Lee and Stockley but are the defensive midfielders excellent rather than pretty good?
  • JamesSeed
    JamesSeed Posts: 17,388
    Gotta have Lee involved somehow, you’d think. 
    But at this stage it’s impossible to know our strongest eleven. 
    Is Leko the player he once was? Will Lavelle settle in? Will Kirk return the the level he was at with Crewe, without the help of overlapping fullback he favours? Will Gilbey hit the ground running, or will long covid affect his long term fitness? How about Arter? And which players will form the sort of partnerships that are often so vital?
    It’ll be interesting to see how things develop and evolve.
    And I’m really looking forward to it!
  • Scoham
    Scoham Posts: 37,436
    JamesSeed said:
    Gotta have Lee involved somehow, you’d think. 
    But at this stage it’s impossible to know our strongest eleven. 
    Is Leko the player he once was? Will Lavelle settle in? Will Kirk return the the level he was at with Crewe, without the help of overlapping fullback he favours? Will Gilbey hit the ground running, or will long covid affect his long term fitness? How about Arter? And which players will form the sort of partnerships that are often so vital?
    It’ll be interesting to see how things develop and evolve.
    And I’m really looking forward to it!
    To be fair Purrington does get forward and it shows in the goals he’s scored for us.

    His weaknesses are more around being quick or a good dribbler rather than not making runs forward.

    I wouldn’t completely write him off building a decent partnership with Kirk. He’ll find it easier to get forward if we’ve got a strong midfield who can win the ball and keep possession. Arter and Lee should improve that.
  • Dazzler21
    Dazzler21 Posts: 51,432
    edited September 2021
    In a 4-4-2 (put Ghandour in ahead of Schwartz because 🤷‍♂️)


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  • killerandflash
    killerandflash Posts: 69,951
    Dazzler21 said:
    In a 4-4-2 (put Ghandour in ahead of Schwartz because 🤷‍♂️)

    Lee wouldn't be part of a midfield two, if anything he'd be an alternative to Washington as the second striker
  • killerandflash
    killerandflash Posts: 69,951
    It's really hard to pick the best 11. Lets not forget we won our last league match, so to an extent the players who played that day "have the shirt to lose". Watson and Morgan looked much better as a deeper pairing.

    There are so many questions. Arter and Leko have to prove they deserve to start. Who's the right back, Gunter or Matthews? Lavelle and Inniss may end up sharing their spot? Who out of Morgan, Gilbey, Clare, Watson, Dobson gets a midfield slot if Arter is a regular?

    Indeed currently, I'd say that MacG, Famewo, Purrington and Stockley are the only players who can be reasonably certain of starting

    At the moment I'd go with

                                       MacG
    Gunter        Inniss         Famewo            Purrington
                      Arter            Morgan
            DJ                        Lee                        Kirk
                                    Stockley

    Subs Harness, Matthews, Lavelle, Gilbey, Leko, Washington, Clare

    I think Leko will alternate with both Kirk and DJ, he's right footed so could easily play as an inverted winger on the other side. 

  • soapboxsam
    soapboxsam Posts: 23,237
    The 11 at the business end of a match, will be as important as the 11 who start.

    IF we do well this season, it will be the strength of the squad: no Aribo, Taylor, Bielik, Cullen etc this season and no Aneke from last. 

    Perm any two from four: Gilbert, Leko, CBT and DJ, I would be tempted to use all four in some matches( two start and two come on to keep the momentum) in the wide positions either side of Stockley, with Lee as the support in the attacking midfield position. If 4-3-3 is used. 

    Our record of 9 wins in our last 29 home games going back to the mini League at the end of the Championship season is shocking. Pleased that the penny has finally dropped with Nigel and he is now talking about creating more chances and not just celebrating clean sheets. 

    Football at the valley needs to be entertaining, and we attempt to wins games. 

    That just hasn't been the case in too many matches under both Lee and Nigel even though I accept there has been mitigating  circumstances.
  • Sage
    Sage Posts: 7,281
    More importantly I feel, what would be your best 7 a side team? :joy:


  • ElliotCAFC
    ElliotCAFC Posts: 2,553
    Sage said:
    More importantly I feel, what would be your best 7 a side team? :joy:


    Stockley hasn’t got the close control to thrive in a 7 a side bout. 

    Swap him for Leko and that team would destroy Eltham Goals! 
  • Cafc43v3r
    Cafc43v3r Posts: 21,600
    I think this is probably our most likely 11 for the next few games. 




  • Sage
    Sage Posts: 7,281
    ElliotCAFC said:
    Sage said:
    More importantly I feel, what would be your best 7 a side team? :joy:


    Stockley hasn’t got the close control to thrive in a 7 a side bout. 

    Swap him for Leko and that team would destroy Eltham Goals! 
    You got a point. Was thinking Washington instead of Stockley because he would just be able to run all day long and finish well. Put in Stockley because he’d absolutely bully defenders at Goals, similar to Famewo and Inniss 😂
  • BR7_addick
    BR7_addick Posts: 10,215
    Sage said:
    More importantly I feel, what would be your best 7 a side team? :joy:


    Never having Inniss or Stockley in that!

    Mac
    Matthews, Famewo 
    Arter
    Lee, JFC
    Washington
  • jacob_CAFC
    jacob_CAFC Posts: 2,063
    Disagree that Stockley doesn't have the close control for 7 a side. 

    Mac
    Famewo - Purrington
    Arter Lee DJ
    Stockley
  • soapboxsam
    soapboxsam Posts: 23,237
    Inniss in goal as won't be room for the ball !

    Famewo Elerewe
    Morgan
    DJ CBT Gilbert.  Super sub Leko to kill the opposition late on. 

    Attack, Attack, Attack.

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  • ElliotCAFC
    ElliotCAFC Posts: 2,553
    jacob_CAFC said:
    Disagree that Stockley doesn't have the close control for 7 a side. 

    Mac
    Famewo - Purrington
    Arter Lee DJ
    Stockley
    Assuming it’s no overhead height rules then I’m not having him anywhere near the artificial pitch. Washington or Leko all day long.

    I will die on this hill
  • Jonniesta
    Jonniesta Posts: 1,160
    Going back to the 11, it's Lee over Leko for me, but I also think we play so much better with Washington up top... not sure where that leaves me! Stockley clearly is the first name on the team sheet. Conor had the same impact for Northern Ireland last night, involved in everything good. 
  • Scoham
    Scoham Posts: 37,436
    Cafc43v3r said:
    I think this is probably our most likely 11 for the next few games. 




    I think that’s probably our best “on paper” side but we need that midfield 3 to offer a lot more than Dobson, Morgan and Clare did. Very possible they can, though Lee, Kirk and DJ also need to offer a threat in behind which you won’t get from Stockley (aside from the odd counter attack like his last goal). Without that it could become a Robinson style team who have plenty of possession but struggle to break teams down.

    Washington has a good case for being a starter, and that will hopefully apply to Lavelle and Leko soon too.
  • Leuth
    Leuth Posts: 23,385
    This is absolute heresy maybe, but is Stockley the first name on the teamsheet? With our attacking signings it feels like he might be a bit more expendable now
  • BR7_addick
    BR7_addick Posts: 10,215
    Leuth said:
    This is absolute heresy maybe, but is Stockley the first name on the teamsheet? With our attacking signings it feels like he might be a bit more expendable now
    I’m not sure we’re quite at false 9 territory just yet.  
  • Leuth
    Leuth Posts: 23,385
    Washington played true 9 in an international game last night, and apparently very well, held it up and everything...
  • Leuth
    Leuth Posts: 23,385
    I mean, Stockley is a fearsome presence and has the shirt for now obv, but I don't think we'd be particularly screwed over if he was injured thanks to our signings in the final week
  • BR7_addick
    BR7_addick Posts: 10,215
    Leuth said:
    Washington played true 9 in an international game last night, and apparently very well, held it up and everything...
    I guess so, just think in this league with the wingers we’ve got, we need the presence up top not a willing runner.  If confidence is flowing through the team and Stockley does get injured be interesting to see if it can work.
  • johnnybev1987
    johnnybev1987 Posts: 11,422
    Wow not many people starting Dobson, i think he will be key to our midfield. Does the donkey work and showed the other day capable of a killer ball, him + 1 for me in the middle/ or 2 if 433 suits. What excites me, with the personnel we can play a number of formations and swap players for fun, bar Stockley who we are fucked if he gets injured. 
  • Cafc43v3r
    Cafc43v3r Posts: 21,600
    Leuth said:
    Washington played true 9 in an international game last night, and apparently very well, held it up and everything...
    As with almost every possible tactical conversation it comes down to are the midfield good enough. 

    Then you have to look at how high a line the opposition play, most teams at this level don't play a high line because they lack pace at the back.  Which is a pro Washington argument if they do play a high line. 

    Then you add in the defensive side from set pieces (not that that is a reason on its own).

    Then if your not playing Stockley do you want two wingers or to play more balls through the channels?  Then you end up with a very different team.

    TLDR:- Yes there is an argument for Washington over Stockley but not like for like, out of choice. 

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