First eleven?

Insider

Insider

Well-known member
I didn't go today.
I was at Southport but that was early doors.
So a question for those that attended today. Any thoughts on who will start against Burton?
I think Critch has deliberately not started his first choice yet and I've never been good at 2nd guessing him.
In the absence of further signings I'll go
Grimmy
Pennington Eky Hubby
Lyons Norburn Morgan Carey (that's the toughest choice for me) Thompson
Lavery Joseph.
I desperately want to put Rob Apter in that starting 11 because I know he is the most technically gifted player in the sqaud but not sure where he fits.
@td53. I know you bigged Rob up post match on twitter today. Where do we play him?
 
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I believe he will play two holding midfielders and I think he will start Norburn and Trybul if both fit.

I also think he is lining up to go with a number 10 rather than 2 strikers so I think he will go Lavery with an Embleton type player behind which may well be a player we haven’t seen yet and is due to be signed?

That would mean Joseph on the bench
 
Chunkylad said:
I believe he will play two holding midfielders and I think he will start Norburn and Trybul if both fit.

I also think he is lining up to go with a number 10 rather than 2 strikers so I think he will go Lavery with an Embleton type player behind which may well be a player we haven’t seen yet and is due to be signed?

That would mean Joseph on the bench
Click to expand...
Who knows what the Prof will come up with. Tbh I'd forgotten about Trybull and King Kenny is also a favourite of Critch.
I've no idea yet what Hammy Joseph offers but I could see Lavery as your no.10.
 
Insider said:
I didn't go today.
I was at Southport but that was early doors.
So a question for those that attended today. Any thoughts on who will start against Burton?
I don't Critch has deliberately not started his first choice yet and I've never been good at 2nd guessing him.
In the absence of further signings I'll go
Grimmy
Pennington Eky Hubby
Lyons Norburn Morgan Carey (that's the toughest choice for me) Thompson
Lavery Joseph.
I desperately want to put Rob Apter in that starting 11 because I know he is the most technically gifted player in the sqaud but not sure where he fits.
@td53. I know you bigged Rob up post match on twitter today. Where do we play him?
Click to expand...

He was good ghosting about behind/off Beesley. I think in reality he's probably a player to change the game from the bench right now.

Sonny was excellent back in more of his best role. Scored 2, linked things well and had about 2 or 3 more efforts, think he hit the post as well and was a big part of the Beesley goal.

Apter is probably where Sonny was a couple of seasons back - i.e. not a starter but around and about. Can give Lavs a break if required off the bench or add width to a formation switch or drop in at 10.

Main thing is, he HAS to be there or thereabouts this year, not on loan.
 
Insider said:
I didn't go today.
I was at Southport but that was early doors.
So a question for those that attended today. Any thoughts on who will start against Burton?
I don't Critch has deliberately not started his first choice yet and I've never been good at 2nd guessing him.
In the absence of further signings I'll go
Grimmy
Pennington Eky Hubby
Lyons Norburn Morgan Carey (that's the toughest choice for me) Thompson
Lavery Joseph.
I desperately want to put Rob Apter in that starting 11 because I know he is the most technically gifted player in the sqaud but not sure where he fits.
@td53. I know you bigged Rob up post match on twitter today. Where do we play him?
Click to expand...
What is Apter's natural position? He's played all over for us,
Insider said:
I didn't go today.
I was at Southport but that was early doors.
So a question for those that attended today. Any thoughts on who will start against Burton?
I don't Critch has deliberately not started his first choice yet and I've never been good at 2nd guessing him.
In the absence of further signings I'll go
Grimmy
Pennington Eky Hubby
Lyons Norburn Morgan Carey (that's the toughest choice for me) Thompson
Lavery Joseph.
I desperately want to put Rob Apter in that starting 11 because I know he is the most technically gifted player in the sqaud but not sure where he fits.
@td53. I know you bigged Rob up post match on twitter today. Where do we play him?
Click to expand...
Apter starts for me, but like you say, where does he play? Looked really good today
 
Marton Monorail said:
For me once everyone's fit
Grimmy

Pennington
Marv
Hubby/Casey

Gabriel
Lyons

Trybull
Norburn
Carey/Apter

Lavery
Joseph
Click to expand...
Far too defensive for me. Where are the goals coming from if the front two and Carey are tightly marked?

In any case it's a squad game and the starting XI will depend on the opposition and the circumstances, no need to get excited about who's on the pitch at kick off. The strength of the bench is equally important.
 
Meliora said:
Far too defensive for me. Where are the goals coming from if the front two and Carey are tightly marked?

In any case it's a squad game and the starting XI will depend on the opposition and the circumstances, no need to get excited about who's on the pitch at kick off. The strength of the bench is equally important.
Click to expand...
Exactly. Don’t think I managed to guess correctly one Critchley team in his previous spell as it was picked according to opposition - and it worked (most of the time)
 
Meliora said:
Far too defensive for me. Where are the goals coming from if the front two and Carey are tightly marked?

In any case it's a squad game and the starting XI will depend on the opposition and the circumstances, no need to get excited about who's on the pitch at kick off. The strength of the bench is equally important.
Click to expand...
The attacking threat in that line up comes from the wing backs. It could also be Lyons and Thompson in those positions. The whole point of playing three centre backs, in this case Pennington Marv and Hubby/Casey who can all tackle and pass, with two solid holding players in front of them, is that theoretically it releases the wing backs when in possession to support the attack. So your two up front quickly becomes four, with a Carey/Apter/Morgan in close support behind making five in attacking roles. You've seen today how attacking midfielders in this system can get forward and score goals. I think that is going to be the 'Blackpool way' this season. 👍
 
Insider said:
I didn't go today.
I was at Southport but that was early doors.
So a question for those that attended today. Any thoughts on who will start against Burton?
I think Critch has deliberately not started his first choice yet and I've never been good at 2nd guessing him.
In the absence of further signings I'll go
Grimmy
Pennington Eky Hubby
Lyons Norburn Morgan Carey (that's the toughest choice for me) Thompson
Lavery Joseph.
I desperately want to put Rob Apter in that starting 11 because I know he is the most technically gifted player in the sqaud but not sure where he fits.
@td53. I know you bigged Rob up post match on twitter today. Where do we play him?
Click to expand...
Instead of Thompson for me, much better technically and much more of a goal threat.
 
Meliora said:
Far too defensive for me. Where are the goals coming from if the front two and Carey are tightly marked?

In any case it's a squad game and the starting XI will depend on the opposition and the circumstances, no need to get excited about who's on the pitch at kick off. The strength of the bench is equally important.
Click to expand...
Your wing backs give attacking width, I mean we've scored 9 in a game + an hour against Wolves using this system, admittedly in friendlies, but it doesn't seem like it's too defensive.

I agree that things will be fluid etc in terms of personnel, but the question was what would peoples starting 11 be and that would he mine 👍
 
Grimshaw
Pennington Ekpiteta Husband
Gabriel Norwood Carey Trybull Lyons
Apter
Lavery

Several players will be unlucky to be left out. Chuck any of Thompson, Morgan, Ken, Connolly in and I'll be fine with it. Virtue seems to be having a nice pre season as well.
 
I,d be surprised if Thompson starts, Virtue is twice the size and player I remember I wouldn't part with him. Apart from Dougall and Thommo ,most players looked good today. I know it was only Barrow but? I particularly liked the low balls fizzing across the box(,no Madine like lump its).
 
Grayth said:
Grimshaw
Pennington Ekpiteta Husband
Gabriel Norwood Carey Trybull Lyons
Apter
Lavery

Several players will be unlucky to be left out. Chuck any of Thompson, Morgan, Ken, Connolly in and I'll be fine with it. Virtue seems to be having a nice pre season as well.
Click to expand...
Connolly will be in seen more as a CB this year I think
 
What's people opinion of Albie Morgan?

Seems to be getting some assists and can score too.

Got an assist from a corner and might be a good set piece taker.

Could be very handy indeed especially if Critchley helps to develop him further.
 
JJpool said:
What's people opinion of Albie Morgan?

Seems to be getting some assists and can score too.

Got an assist from a corner and might be a good set piece taker.

Could be very handy indeed especially if Critchley helps to develop him further.
Click to expand...
I think he'll be back-up to Carey this season. They seem to play a similar role
 
There is Holmes to consider.
He was in the Championship squad towards end of season coming off the bench a few times.
He also had a few League 1 appearances a couple seasons ago.
 
Marton Monorail said:
For me once everyone's fit
Grimmy

Pennington
Marv
Hubby/Casey

Gabriel
Lyons

Trybull
Norburn
Carey/Apter

Lavery
Joseph
Click to expand...
I like this 11, if we can keep everyone fit. I’d still like us to spend some of the Jerry money on some proven League One quality. A big mobile striker, and a creative player ideally
 
It’s really hard to call isn’t It?

Now I’ve read some of the comments above, I can see Critch deploying Lyons and CJ as attacking wing backs with Trybull and Norburn as screens.
CJ was in that role at Mansfield and although he’s powder puff he’s athletic enough to get up and down that wing and pin their RB back.
That would give us more of an attacking threat with goals from the front two, the attacking midfielder and Lyons.
 
Qblock said:
I like this 11, if we can keep everyone fit. I’d still like us to spend some of the Jerry money on some proven League One quality. A big mobile striker, and a creative player ideally
Click to expand...
I think they see Morgan as the creative influence who ironically I'd forgotten haha

Bilut yeah you can't have too much quality that's for sure
 
tangible said:
The attacking threat in that line up comes from the wing backs. It could also be Lyons and Thompson in those positions. The whole point of playing three centre backs, in this case Pennington Marv and Hubby/Casey who can all tackle and pass, with two solid holding players in front of them, is that theoretically it releases the wing backs when in possession to support the attack. So your two up front quickly becomes four, with a Carey/Apter/Morgan in close support behind making five in attacking roles. You've seen today how attacking midfielders in this system can get forward and score goals. I think that is going to be the 'Blackpool way' this season. 👍
Click to expand...
I take your point, but the goals against Barrow came from players in those three positions that I highlighted, and we'll be sussed pretty quickly playing to a system that relies on them to score. If it's working from the outset then fine, but there need to be other plans with more attacking threats to either start with or change to.
 
One thing for sure is we have a Manager that can manage moments in games where last season you could of got someone out the stands to do a better job.
I'd say with the right 11 we will be too strong for Burton on the opening day
 
My concern is that while I think we have the players for a top six finish playing wing backs, we don't have the players for a top six finish playing any other system. So there can't be a good enough plan B if three at the back isn't working. We need to sign a couple of wingers so that we can change the way we set up if required. We also still need a replacement for Yates. Beesley and Lavery are good players who will put the effort in, but neither offer the skill, technique, and 'goal out of nothing' that Yates could.
We're not far off, but still more needed for a promotion winning side imo.

Currently, my first 11 would be:

Grimshaw
Lyons
Pennington
Ekpiteta
Casey
CJ (if fit)
Norburn
Trybull
Morgan
Carey
Lavery

Possibly Apter instead of Norburn or Trybull, because otherwise there isn't enough attacking threat in there.
 
Is it just me fed up of this 3-5-2/5-3-2 crap already? Give me 4-2-3-1 any day and we already have the squad to do and an unbelievably strong bench to boot. Also anyone thinking CJ won't cut it at this level is off their rocker. I'd say the only genuine wing backs we have are Gabriel and Lyons, Thompson should be fie in this league but much as I rate CJ he is no wing back, in fact I could see him being sold if our main way of playing is without wingers. Thinking about it I'm pretty sure CJ is the only out and out winger we have.
 
Insider said:
Grimmy
Pennington Eky Hubby
Lyons Norburn Morgan Carey (that's the toughest choice for me) Thompson
Lavery Joseph.
Click to expand...
That team looks really strong .. bar Husband and Thompson who make that side of the pitch weaker than a Tory in a red wall seat at the next election!
 
Grimshaw
Gabriel/lyons. Ekpiteta Pennington husband
Trybull Morgan norburn cj
Lavery Joseph
Subs

or
Grimshaw
Gabriel/lyons ekpiteta Pennington husband
Trybull carey norburn cj
Lavery beesley ( if Joseph not fit)
 
Grimshaw
Lyons Pennington Ekpiteta Husband Thompson
Trybull Carey Norburn
Morgan
Lavery

I can see us lining up like above, with Morgan in the number 10 position behind Lavery. In truth, I don't have a clue as I expect Joseph will start if fit and I expect a couple more signings before the season kicks off.
 
Phil_bfc deux said:
532

Grimmy

Lyons
Pennington
Expo
Hubby
Thomson

Trybull
Norburn
Morgan

Lavery
Joseph
Click to expand...
This looks about as good as we've got. Carey vying with Morgan for that AM slot.

I'm glad Critch has introduced an AM into a different formation cos I wasn't really looking forward to 442 with no creative midfield again. I like the two striker thing. Dale just filling in there, i cant see what he offers us tbh. Must be a striker to come in. Not sure what else Critch is after.
 
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