First eleven now?

Insider

Well-known member
Once the dust has settled on our final squad would anyone like to hazard a guess as to what our team will be on 14th Nov?
On hang on we haven't got a game that day (no I'm not over that decision) so let's say 21 November.
 
Maxwell
Turton, Ballard, Grétarsson, Garbutt
Anderson, Dougall, Robson
Hamilton, Yates, Kaikai

Absolute guess as I have no idea.

Edit: Completely forgot about Woodburn so he would probably be in there somewhere as well. 😂
 
Last edited:
Maxwell

Gabriel Gretarsson Ballard Garbutt

Dougall

Robson Anderson

CJ Woodburn Mitchell

That leaves loads and I could change that over 3 or 4 times!!

this but I would have Mitchell and Garbutt fight for LB spot, have Husband and Ek as main CB competition L/R, Woodburn on the left (see his first goals for Liverpool and Wales as to why) and hopefully with some improvement Yates in the middle. If not JY, Madine getting the basics right should bring the best out of CJ and Woodburn.
 
Maxwell

Turton Ballard Husband Garbutt
Gabriel Ekpiteta Gretarsson Mitchell

Dougall Robson
Virtue. Antwi

Woodburn
Sarkic

CJ.

Happy with the above, I just don't see a best choice for the other two positions. I quite like Anderson who can maybe play up front, knows how to finish.

Perm two from Anderson, Ward, Lubala, Kaikai, Madine, Yates.
 
I haven't a clue who will be the first choice.
We have a big squad and only 11 starters but we also have a lot of games coming up and we could put out a completely different team Saturday/Tuesday.
Personally I like to see a settled team, at least for league games, so that's why I like to see good runs in the EFL Trophy and the FA Cup to give the others a chance.
With the exception of another striker it's also interesting that Critchley has strengthened in areas where the messageboard managers believed the squad was weak.
So on paper we do look to have a pretty decent squad. We'll never know to what extent the players brought in were first choices and who, or how many, we've missed out on.
Critchley needs to work his coaching magic now and get this season up and running.
UTMP.
 
I haven't a clue who will be the first choice.
We have a big squad and only 11 starters but we also have a lot of games coming up and we could put out a completely different team Saturday/Tuesday.
Personally I like to see a settled team, at least for league games, so that's why I like to see good runs in the EFL Trophy and the FA Cup to give the others a chance.
With the exception of another striker it's also interesting that Critchley has strengthened in areas where the messageboard managers believed the squad was weak.
So on paper we do look to have a pretty decent squad. We'll never know to what extent the players brought in were first choices and who, or how many, we've missed out on.
Critchley needs to work his coaching magic now and get this season up and running.
UTMP.
Insider I am being greedy, but I would have liked to see another experienced keeper in to give Maxwell some competition! I don't feel confident with the two boys as backup.
 
Eventually I hope it will be
Maxwell
Garbutt/Mitchell
Viking
Marv
Ballard
Gabriel
Dougall
Robson
CJ
Woodburn
Yates/keshi

Subs Madine Kai Kai Husband keshi mitchell Sarkic Virtue Ward Lubala Kemp Antwi Williams Turton Simms/Utd keep Thorniley Howe

Have I missed anyone?...edited to add Lubala and kemp
 
Last edited:
I dont see many situations where Williams Antwi Thorniley Howe will get a game tbh...and Virtue Lubala kemp and Sarkic better get their skates on too
 
Last edited:
I think we are now where we should have been pre season and we are therefore four to five weeks behind. That is mainly due to the poor squad depth last year and the fact NC didnt fancy Feeney Gnando Spearing Macdonald or any of the other recruits that the interim board and Grayson recruited. I hope he can turn it around now as he wont have any excuses...these are virtually all his own players now and he needs to get them to gel quickly and then get a settled team...Simon Sadler and co have done all they can and its down to NC now...fingers crossed he can balance it all now.
 
Not a clue, need to see some of the 2 boys play yet. Also a possible change in formation. 5 games just isn’t enough with so many changes.
 
Anyone want to re-visit this after the last two games?
Are we still as spoilt for choice as we thought we were?
I think we are starting to realise we may have less players guaranteed a start than we perhaps first thought.
We desperately need to have a look at what Dougall has to offer as he may be key.
 
Maxwell
Marv Ballard Viking
Turton or Gabriel Robson Williams or Dougall Mitchell
CJ Woodburn
Madine or Yates or Sarkic maybe

Defo 3 at the back
 
The manager isnt thats for sure...IT SHOULD STILL BE THREE AT THE BACK. That will suit the players we have much better and will cover the individual errors. We have two potential stars in the wing backs Mitchell and Gabriel who are both getting pelters as part of a fragile back 4. Neither are as bad as people are making out and their pace will be a great asset if utilised properly.

Maxwell (because there is no credible alternative)
Marv Ballard ( When available) Viking(if he exists)
Gabriel Robson (when available)Dougall (by reputation) Mitchell
CJ Kemp Woodburn


There are lots of other combinations you can play up front including Kai Kai Yates Madine keshi and Ward.

Critchley will turn to these in some weird and ineffective 4 3 3 (that never really plays as a 4 3 3)

Maxwell
Turton Marv Husband Mitchell
Williams Ward
CJ Woodburn
Madine Kemp
 
Team against Burton:

Maxwell

Gabriel Grettarson Ekipeteta Thornily Husband

MJ

CJ Woodburn Kemp

Madine

I'm guessing if I'm honest, the manager..sorry head coach needs to pick his best 11 and then work out a formation that suits them best. His job is on the line and if we lose the next 2 he'll surely be on his way.
 
No doubt it will involve the following:

Goalkeeper - a shot stopper who is superglued to his line when all is frantic in the 6 yard box.

Right-back - a player with a good football brain whose thought processes exceed his own ability on the ball.

Right Centre-back - an improving player who still makes the occasional mistake of dwelling on the ball when under pressure.

Left Centre-back - Ballard or the Viking

Left Back - someone who can defend well in-between picking up red cards or someone who leaves acres of space waiting to be filled by the ball and an opposition winger.

Right Midfield - Anderson (when fit) or Ward.

Centre Midfield - someone able to link the left mid and the right mid with the backline and repeat.

Left Midfield - someone who looks promising on paper but who runs down blank alleys, albeit with pace and purpose.

Right-side striker - Hamilton or Kemp.

Centre-Forward - someone with an eye for where the goal isn't.

Left-side striker - someone who drifts out of everyone's consciousness after about 15 minutes.
 
Are we (or Critchy) getting any nearer to knowing what our first 11 should be?
Genuinely harder to work out a 1st 11 by the week, and that's because players are playing themselves out of it, more than anyone making it difficult for the manager to leave them out.

There must be a decent 11 in this squad, there must be a system that suits that 11 and lets us win more games than we lose. I'm not sure critchley knows withe answer to either of those questions though, and more worryingly, even if he did i'm not sure he'd be able to get the players, and to a lesser extent but still importantly, the fans, to buy into it.

He needs to go on a massive PR campaign to win some hearts and minds. He needs the players on his side, and its not clear that they are, and he needs the fans on his side if he is to get enough time to see through his vision (regardless of whether any of us agree with that even being possible).

Do a proper interview, let them ask difficult questions, give honest answers, admit to some mistakes but tell us how he will turn things around. It doesn't need to be detail to give away the secrets, but do something to give us something to get behind and support.

He might as well be a cardboard cut out for the amount we know about him. Theres no charisma, there's no leadership, there's no affinity with him as a man, just a blind hope that this failing system will turn us into world beaters eventually.

League one doesn't need world beaters, it needs Wimbledon beaters and Gillingham beaters and Burton beaters. It needs a team with the ability to get stuck in and fight for a result. It needs flashes of excitement and brilliance but it needs attitude and leadership and commitment more than it needs nice possession based toothless passing and stupid risk taking. It needs a striker who knows how to play the game and score goals. We had players last season without the ability of the ones who've replaced them, but with 10x more character and voice on the pitch and in training.

Its just not working, something needs to change. The manager is possibly the easier option than replacing a load of players again, but it could be something as simple as an experienced voice in the coaching staff, or a player who can actually be a captain on the pitch.

I genuinely couldn't tell you who our best 11 are, but get whoever the 11 who want to prove something and want to fight for the shirt and for every ball and start from there. The 9 that finished last night are probably as close to that as we've seen. Fit a system around most of those as a first attempt and then work towards the perfect team from there.
 
Hard to pick a team. 442 and I cannot think of wide midfielders who are good enough attack and defence
433 and I feel we struggle with 1 central striker and too have enough in midfield to win the ball and play a killer pass.
 
Mitchell should be nowhere near the teamsheet
Offers nothing but calamitous costly defending
He isnt a traditional left back though is he...if we play a system to suit his pace will be a massive asset and he will be released to surge forward...Gabriel is similar on the other side and teams will be on the back foot if we have the ability to attack at pace. At the moment the build up is way too slow and lethargic with no tempo at all...thats what our flat back 4 including Turton and Husband brings you...its a dour boring style of football forgivable only if you are winning lots of games...we arent and its a poor watch however excellent the manager thinks we have been all season.
 
Are we (or Critchy) getting any nearer to knowing what our first 11 should be?
I'm not! The full backs aren't that easy to decide, and who plays in midfield with Robson? Williams has slowed us right down - he's like a walking pedestrianised area! Off the main street. Dougall might sort that one out eventually. Third midfield player? Dunno. Woodburn, Ward, Sarkic, Anderson? And the main issue for me is the front three. I'm not for starting Yates or Madine, or Lubala. At the moment anyway. Yates and Madine is like flogging a dead horse right now. And Lubala is a three legged horse, that's been doped. Or maybe he's the young race horse that causes problems in the paddock and gets withdrawn. I'd be picking three from CJ, Woodburn, Kaikai, Sarkic, Anderson, Garbutt and Mitchell. But it's not easy to work out what would work best. No orthodox central striker so I understand those who say Madine must play there but for me it doesn't work. Happy to be proved wrong but I would prefer to see three more mobile players in a more fluid and fluent kind of set up. And it needs to be players who can finish - so CJ, Kaikai probably cos he knows how to put the ball in the net, but he's so absent from games so much of the time. Third striker? Woodburn or Anderson probably. Both capable of beating the keeper in open play.
 
I'm not! The full backs aren't that easy to decide, and who plays in midfield with Robson? Williams has slowed us right down - he's like a walking pedestrianised area! Off the main street. Dougall might sort that one out eventually. Third midfield player? Dunno. Woodburn, Ward, Sarkic, Anderson? And the main issue for me is the front three. I'm not for starting Yates or Madine, or Lubala. At the moment anyway. Yates and Madine is like flogging a dead horse right now. And Lubala is a three legged horse, that's been doped. Or maybe he's the young race horse that causes problems in the paddock and gets withdrawn. I'd be picking three from CJ, Woodburn, Kaikai, Sarkic, Anderson, Garbutt and Mitchell. But it's not easy to work out what would work best. No orthodox central striker so I understand those who say Madine must play there but for me it doesn't work. Happy to be proved wrong but I would prefer to see three more mobile players in a more fluid and fluent kind of set up. And it needs to be players who can finish - so CJ, Kaikai probably cos he knows how to put the ball in the net, but he's so absent from games so much of the time. Third striker? Woodburn or Anderson probably. Both capable of beating the keeper in open play.
I'm the same. With a back 5 then Gabriel and Mitchell could work. But then we need a holding midfielder I.e Robson. If we play 2 upfront it isn't ideal. With 3 upfront like you say I cannot think we have a classy enough midfielder to be creative and to do the work required. I feel we would have a good team if we could play 13 haha
 
I'm not! The full backs aren't that easy to decide, and who plays in midfield with Robson? Williams has slowed us right down - he's like a walking pedestrianised area! Off the main street. Dougall might sort that one out eventually. Third midfield player? Dunno. Woodburn, Ward, Sarkic, Anderson? And the main issue for me is the front three. I'm not for starting Yates or Madine, or Lubala. At the moment anyway. Yates and Madine is like flogging a dead horse right now. And Lubala is a three legged horse, that's been doped. Or maybe he's the young race horse that causes problems in the paddock and gets withdrawn. I'd be picking three from CJ, Woodburn, Kaikai, Sarkic, Anderson, Garbutt and Mitchell. But it's not easy to work out what would work best. No orthodox central striker so I understand those who say Madine must play there but for me it doesn't work. Happy to be proved wrong but I would prefer to see three more mobile players in a more fluid and fluent kind of set up. And it needs to be players who can finish - so CJ, Kaikai probably cos he knows how to put the ball in the net, but he's so absent from games so much of the time. Third striker? Woodburn or Anderson probably. Both capable of beating the keeper in open play.
I'm the same. With a back 5 then Gabriel and Mitchell could work. But then we need a holding midfielder I.e Robson. If we play 2 upfront it isn't ideal. With 3 upfront like you say I cannot think we have a classy enough midfielder to be creative and to do the work required. I feel we would have a good team if we could play 13 haha
 
I'm not! The full backs aren't that easy to decide, and who plays in midfield with Robson? Williams has slowed us right down - he's like a walking pedestrianised area! Off the main street. Dougall might sort that one out eventually. Third midfield player? Dunno. Woodburn, Ward, Sarkic, Anderson? And the main issue for me is the front three. I'm not for starting Yates or Madine, or Lubala. At the moment anyway. Yates and Madine is like flogging a dead horse right now. And Lubala is a three legged horse, that's been doped. Or maybe he's the young race horse that causes problems in the paddock and gets withdrawn. I'd be picking three from CJ, Woodburn, Kaikai, Sarkic, Anderson, Garbutt and Mitchell. But it's not easy to work out what would work best. No orthodox central striker so I understand those who say Madine must play there but for me it doesn't work. Happy to be proved wrong but I would prefer to see three more mobile players in a more fluid and fluent kind of set up. And it needs to be players who can finish - so CJ, Kaikai probably cos he knows how to put the ball in the net, but he's so absent from games so much of the time. Third striker? Woodburn or Anderson probably. Both capable of beating the keeper in open play.
Yep, I've no idea either. No idea what system really works.4-3-3 would be good if we played with a bit more pace and had some-one who could put the ball in the net. I've not seen enough of most of the new signings to form a definite opinion of them. So from what I've seen but with no real conviction, I'd say Maxwell, Ballard and CJ are the only certainties. Even then, CJ has so many parts of his game to improve on but at least his pace looks a threat and causes the opposition problems. So just three out of such a big squad seems harsh but simply based on what i've seen.
 
I honestly think the idea of a "first eleven " has now gone . Teams change due to playing home / away , other clubs styles , and simply rotation due to Saturday/Tuesday fixtures . The only time I can see it really still applying is for something like a playoff final when those other considerations would go out of the window .
 
Yep, I've no idea either. No idea what system really works.4-3-3 would be good if we played with a bit more pace and had some-one who could put the ball in the net. I've not seen enough of most of the new signings to form a definite opinion of them. So from what I've seen but with no real conviction, I'd say Maxwell, Ballard and CJ are the only certainties. Even then, CJ has so many parts of his game to improve on but at least his pace looks a threat and causes the opposition problems. So just three out of such a big squad seems harsh but simply based on what i've seen.
It's rather sad that I have to agree with you on that rather pick you up for being so negative. I would probably add Ekpiteta though.
 
It's rather sad that I have to agree with you on that rather pick you up for being so negative. I would probably add Ekpiteta though.
Ekpiteta is improving. I didn't include him because we've yet to see anything of Gretarsson.
 
Yep, I've no idea either. No idea what system really works.4-3-3 would be good if we played with a bit more pace and had some-one who could put the ball in the net. I've not seen enough of most of the new signings to form a definite opinion of them. So from what I've seen but with no real conviction, I'd say Maxwell, Ballard and CJ are the only certainties. Even then, CJ has so many parts of his game to improve on but at least his pace looks a threat and causes the opposition problems. So just three out of such a big squad seems harsh but simply based on what i've seen.
Plus Robson and Ekpiteta. I think with time a few more will become regulars. We looked ok in the first few games, Plymouth, Swindon, Lincoln. Settled team too.

Hoping Dougall and Garbutt will improve us. Anderson looked ok early on. For me the key positions now are the front 4. Front 3 plus one midfield. Apart from CJ I don't know who to put where. But if the players were all feeling confident and motivated it would be a lot simpler I think. We'd have some decent League One options. Sort the heads out. Get some momentum and belief back.
 
Personally I think we have to start with Madine and Yates - it’s clear we can’t keep a clean sheet and so might as well have players on the pitch who we know can score!
 
At the moment I'm more concerned about the style of play rather than who is ln the team.
It doesn't matter who is in the team if they stick to slow, across the back, movement that NC seems to want.
You could put Liverpools' back four in there if they play the same way with our current midfield and forwards.
The outcome would be the same.
Especially with the Keeper being Captain. 🙄
 
For me we need a change of formation is needed. 5-4-1 when defending but when attacking moves into a 3-4-3.

Maxwell
Marv, Ballard, Viking
Gabriel Mitchell
Robson, (Virtue/Dougal)
Yates Kaikai
Madine

subs
CJ
Kemp
Woodburn
Husband
Turton
Ward
Keeper (either it doesn't matter)
 
For me we need a change of formation is needed. 5-4-1 when defending but when attacking moves into a 3-4-3.

Maxwell
Marv, Ballard, Viking
Gabriel Mitchell
Robson, (Virtue/Dougal)
Yates Kaikai
Madine

subs
CJ
Kemp
Woodburn
Husband
Turton
Ward
Keeper (either it doesn't matter)
I would be very similar but I would be CJ and Woodburn for Yates and KK
 
I've yet to see if any of our new players have anything of a wow factor, whilst CJ looks useful (can't cross) nobody else seems to have particularly caught the eye (well not yet anyway) that said there are some who I've seen nothing or very little of. Lives in hope Dougal, Gretarsson & Virtue make a difference, along with some of the others gaining full match fitness.
 
I've yet to see if any of our new players have anything of a wow factor, whilst CJ looks useful (can't cross) nobody else seems to have particularly caught the eye (well not yet anyway) that said there are some who I've seen nothing or very little of. Lives in hope Dougal, Gretarsson & Virtue make a difference, along with some of the others gaining full match fitness.
I think you have to hope that virtually all of them, Ballard aside, are playing well below their capabilities and can all improve significantly.
 
A Barnsley fan mate of mine said Dougall is class when he’s not suspended. Let’s hope he keeps his head cool and fired up that league table!
 
Maxwell

Gabriel Gretarsson Ballard Garbutt

Hamilton Dougall Williams Kaikai

Madine Yates
That's quite a surprising choice bearing in mind yesterday's back 4 with Hubby at LB looked strong and Turts was good for most of the game at RB. I'd stick with them for their experience alone. Based on what I've seen of the CBs my current first choice would be Ballard (when he returns) and Ekpiteta although I do accept it's preferable to have a leftie and a rightie.
The other seven I can agree with.
 
Last edited:
Baffles me why anybody would want to change yesterday’s team.
Let’s have some consistency and stick to a winning formula.
 
Maxwell

Turton - Ekpiteta - Ballard - Husband

Hamilton - Dougall - Robson - Kaikai

Yates - Madine


I like the fact that now I had to weight up certain positions in my head:
  • Garbutt could easily slot in at LB.
  • Virtue/Williams could slot in the centre of the park.
  • Gretarson could interchange one of the CB's.
I'm optimistic we should see steady improvement going forward now. Only thing that worries me is our pass accuracy is awful, 57% it was yesterday.
 
O/p asked what the 1st eleven should be on 21 November.
That is now the next league game.
How many changes from today's starting eleven?
 
Back
Top