First eleven now?

TangerinePeel said:
Maxwell

Turton - Ekpiteta - Ballard - Husband

Hamilton - Dougall - Robson - Kaikai

Yates - Madine
Click to expand...
That's not too far off what I'd go for & whilst Turton has been fairly steady at RB I feel with Gabriel's defending improving he offers much more going forward. Also when Virtue & Williams are fit they will put pressure on Robson & Dougal to perform. There's still a host of players who could play their way in from the subs bench, but that's up to them to rise to the challenge, although for them to achieve match fitness means they will need to play some behind doors stuff (stating the obvious)
 
Sooty59 said:
That's not too far off what I'd go for & whilst Turton has been fairly steady at RB I feel with Gabriel's defending improving he offers much more going forward. Also when Virtue & Williams are fit they will put pressure on Robson & Dougal to perform. There's still a host of players who could play their way in from the subs bench, but that's up to them to rise to the challenge, although for them to achieve match fitness means they will need to play some behind doors stuff (stating the obvious)
Click to expand...
I'd agree I wouldn't mind seeing Gabriel replace Turton, I put that starting XI two days before the Wigan game so we hadn't seen the new and improved Gabriel at that point! With Garbutt coming back we should have options on both sides now with a Gabriel/Turton RB and Garbutt/Husband LB.

I think once suspensions and injuries are over we should have a headache in midfield. Dougall, Virtue, Robson and Williams should all be in contention. There are worse problems to have!
 
Insider said:
Tad harsh that Wiz. The teams performances have improved with Hubby at LB in a solid back 4.
Click to expand...
You're probably right, but I'd say that a team with Husband at left back for the rest of the season will not be challenging. I think that the likes of Garbutt will add more and be less prone to major gaffes.

If we are to improve, then he has to be yesterday's man, for me.
 
Nathan said:
Keshi Anderson not mentioned once in this thread, he’s like the forgotten man!
Click to expand...
He will have to fight for his place like many others, I don't know what the finished best 11 will be at this point in time. But as we've actually managed to get a few wins I wouldn't tinker too much (apart from tomorrow perhaps)
 
Sooty59 said:
He will have to fight for his place like many others, I don't know what the finished best 11 will be at this point in time. But as we've actually managed to get a few wins I wouldn't tinker too much (apart from tomorrow perhaps)
Click to expand...
Tomorrow? Do you mean Wednesday?
 
midfield general said:
Can't believe anyone would have Husband in the centre of defence after his recent performances.
I personally would not have him in the team.
Click to expand...
I believe it is set up as a back 4 with Husband or Garbutt at LB. personally I would have Garbutt starting and Mitchell on the Bench. Husband would not make my match day 18 if everyone is fit.
 
My team on the 21st if all are fit would be:

Maxwell
Gabriel, Marv, Ballard, Garbutt
CJ, Dougall, Robson, Kaikai,
Yates, Madine

subs
Sims
Gretarson
Mitchell/Turton
Kemp
Anderson
Virtue/Williams
Ward
 
This is now becoming a difficult question as the players, team and NC at last seem to be finally clicking albeit someway to go yet, but Williams for me as been pivotal in recent weeks prior to injury and he would be in my starting eleven.
 
Maxwell
Gabriel, Marv, Ballard, Garbutt
CJ, Dougall, Robson, Kaikai,
Yates, Madine

subs
Sims
Gretarson
Turton
Husband
Virtue/Williams
Woodburn
Kemp
 
It is getting tougher this.
My worry is still the full backs. I like the solidity and experience of Turts and Hubby. Gabriel is improving.
I haven't seen enough of Garbutt yet to be convinced.
I also like two holding mid-fielders.
Nailed on so far are:
Maxwell
Ekipeta and Ballard
Dougall
CJ and Kaikai (just)
Madine and Yates
So 3 places up for grabs.
 
Insider said:
Personally I think he's more likely to challenge Sullay and there's Woodburn to consider for that role as well.
Click to expand...
Oh jeez we’ve got a whole load of players that aren’t going to get a sniff.
That said, they’ve all had a chance so far so if they didn’t take it they can’t moan...
Machine took his chance
 
The predicted XIs are converging - not a lot of difference in those posted above. Gabriel Marv and Ballard are all looking hard to leave out, and Garbutt should take the left back spot when he is ready, you'd imagine, if he can defend sufficiently well. I think it would be hard to leave out any of CJ, Dougall, Robson or Kaikai at the moment - or Madine or Yates, a partnership that needs time to show whether it can deliver. The players knocking at the door are likely to be Woodburn, Keshi and Kemp. But we will be rotating and it's good to have attacking strength coming off the bench too.
 
I have a feeling that Ballard maynot play on Saturday after his international exploits in which case Gretarsson will keep his place.
 
Insider said:
I have a feeling that Ballard maynot play on Saturday after his international exploits in which case Gretarsson will keep his place.
Click to expand...
It gives an easy excuse not to drop Greta.

I still think the plan (was/is) to play all 3 at CB and we'll see that at some point.....something doesn't sit right with me in having your only specialist left sided CB on the bench.
 
I didn't watch NI last night but it looked like Ballard played on the right of a back 3.
Fotmob scored him 6.8.
 
Husband needs to be left out and I like Turton but in the circumstances I would prefer the following starting line up

Maxwell
Gabriel, Ekpiteta, Gretarsson, Garbutt
Dougall, Robson
Hamilton, Yates, Kaikai
 
I suppose the only debate here by the look of it is who are our best full backs - seems to me the rest of the team picks itself.
 
Getting a bit more tricky picking the first eleven.
The big 3 defensive debates are Gabriel/Turton and Garbutt/Husband. I think Ballad must start so its either/or, Ekpiteta/Gretarsson.
Midfield 4 has to be Dougall and Hamilton. Add to that 2 from Robson/ Ward/Kemp/Kaikai and maybe Virtue eventually.
Up top its still Yates and Madine.
 
I think if we want to keep Ballard beyond January then I think we'll need to play him on a regular basis. He's a good player who will only get better.
 
Insider said:
Getting a bit more tricky picking the first eleven.
The big 3 defensive debates are Gabriel/Turton and Garbutt/Husband. I think Ballad must start so its either/or, Ekpiteta/Gretarsson.
Midfield 4 has to be Dougall and Hamilton. Add to that 2 from Robson/ Ward/Kemp/Kaikai and maybe Virtue eventually.
Up top its still Yates and Madine.
Click to expand...
Or it could still be as it should have been all along
Maxwell
Marv Ballard Viking
Gabriel Garbutt
Ward/Robson Dougall
CJ Yates
Madine

You can interchange to accommodate Kai Kai or Keshi
 
I said it before, there isn't a first 11, there's a squad that will rotate to cope with two matches a week. Some players will play more games than others. Dougall would be missed if left out. Not sure who else would be hard to cover with the players we have.
 
Last edited:
voyeur said:
I said it before, there isn't a first 11, there's a squad that will rotate to cope with two matches a week. Some players will play more games than others. Dougall would be missed if left out. Not sure else would be hard to cover with the players we have.
Click to expand...
I can’t wait to watch them live, I’ll
be made up if Critchely does the business 👍⚽️⚽️
 
The thing about yesterday is we need to remember it was a League Two side we were facing - a bit like when we were on that good run, we beat Eastbourne, a Leeds U23 side and rock bottom Wigan. Think we need to be careful about promoting some of our players beyond where they currently are.
 
the_dog said:
The thing about yesterday is we need to remember it was a League Two side we were facing - a bit like when we were on that good run, we beat Eastbourne, a Leeds U23 side and rock bottom Wigan. Think we need to be careful about promoting some of our players beyond where they currently are.
Click to expand...
I agree that Tuesday is a big test of how far we've progressed.
I'm looking forward to it.
 
voyeur said:
I said it before, there isn't a first 11, there's a squad that will rotate to cope with two matches a week. Some players will play more games than others. Dougall would be missed if left out. Not sure who else would be hard to cover with the players we have.
Click to expand...
Madine perhaps?
 
Maybe worth another think now the window has closed again.
Assuming everyone is fit.
Maxwell
Turton Ekpiteta Ballard Garbutt
Dougall Ward Stewart
Hamilton Madine Yates

I'm really struggling with Ballard or Gretarsson because I do like a leftie on the left.
No idea about Embleton but he could replace Ward.
Then it's another tough call between Yates and Simms.
I've gone for 4-3-3 because I don't think we have a right-footed winger.
 
Insider said:
It is getting tougher this.
My worry is still the full backs. I like the solidity and experience of Turts and Hubby. Gabriel is improving.
I haven't seen enough of Garbutt yet to be convinced.
Click to expand...
I thought Husband was poor last night and a better team would have had more joy against him. Turton isn't the answer but will have to do and a bit like @Insider I've not seen enough of Garbutt. Gabriel is a bit of a misnomer as a full back.
 
I'd like to see a 3-4-3 if everyone was fit.

Maxwell
Ekpiteta Ballard Gretarsson
Gabriel Dougall Stewart Garbutt
Hamilton Madine Yates

Would love to see Hamilton given a free role & the front three interchanging more.
Also think having 3 CB's plus Madine would give us additional defensive/attacking option from set pieces at both ends of the pitch.
 
Based on who is available at the moment, I don't think anyone else can be considered.

MAXWELL

EKPITETA BALLARD THORNILEY

TURTON STEWART DOUGALL GARBUT

ANDERSON

YATES SIMMS

MOORE
HUSBAND
GABRIEL
KAI KAI
MITCHELL
EMBLETON/WARD ?
HOLMES/MADINE ?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top