Strongest line up?
- South_Belfast_Bee
- Posts: 1886
- Joined: 17 Oct 2012, 12:37
Strongest line up?
Given this improved form, and the fact that it has coincided with a number of key players out through injury, I'm curious as to what people think our strongest XI is when/if everyone was fit?
Akinde would return to the starting line up, but does Tutonda deserve to be dropped for EJ? Can West be accomodated? Stephens in goal surely?
Decisions decisions...
Akinde would return to the starting line up, but does Tutonda deserve to be dropped for EJ? Can West be accomodated? Stephens in goal surely?
Decisions decisions...
Re: Strongest line up?
A nice problem to have! Much as I love Akinde, I am wondering if he will necessarily always be the best option up front any more? Our style of play has changed and we may no longer be playing to his strengths....
- South_Belfast_Bee
- Posts: 1886
- Joined: 17 Oct 2012, 12:37
Re: Strongest line up?
Blasphemy, surely! His goalscoring rate my take a hit with others pulling their weight. Perhaps he'll be deployed in a slightly deeper role, holding the ball up a la Drogba?
Re: Strongest line up?
-----------------Stephens-----------------
-------Clough---Santos--Tutonda-------
Brindley--Taylor----Vilhete---Johnson
-------------------Ryce--------------------
------------Akinde-----Coulthirst--------
-------Clough---Santos--Tutonda-------
Brindley--Taylor----Vilhete---Johnson
-------------------Ryce--------------------
------------Akinde-----Coulthirst--------
Re: Strongest line up?
Seeing as EJ is out for the majority of the season (if not all of it) then surely it's a bit pointless discussing whether he should replace Tutonda?
Whether Stephens displaces Ross I'd have thought depends on how long Stephens is out. The longer he's out injured, the more Ross will make the place his own.
Judging on how things have gone so far, the expectation is that there won't be difficult decisions to make because as one player recovers full fitness, another will take his place in the Kabba Room. Although I hope I'm proved wrong here!
Whether Stephens displaces Ross I'd have thought depends on how long Stephens is out. The longer he's out injured, the more Ross will make the place his own.
Judging on how things have gone so far, the expectation is that there won't be difficult decisions to make because as one player recovers full fitness, another will take his place in the Kabba Room. Although I hope I'm proved wrong here!
Re: Strongest line up?
Also, we have no idea if Tarpey will be part of the strongest line up. We'd certainly expect so with his goalscoring record and money paid...
Similarly I have no idea if Blackman or Brindley are good enough to challenge our starting XI - i'm sure they think they are!
Weston is the most difficult one for me.
Similarly I have no idea if Blackman or Brindley are good enough to challenge our starting XI - i'm sure they think they are!
Weston is the most difficult one for me.
Re: Strongest line up?
What I am about to suggest may be blasphemy to some of you, but just give it some thought. Has there been a bigger shift in team selection than may be fully appreciated. If anyone had told me that our team without Weston, Akinde , Johnson and Stephens would be doing so well I'd probably have laughed at them. So are these automatic first choice players in danger of becoming squad players waiting for their chance to break back into the team?
For me the Weston situation is probably the most intriguing one. With Vilhete almost a shoe-in in midfield these days, I wonder whether Weston will have to become the club's new utility player who fills in where required if he wants to get regular first team football? Just a thought guys.
For me the Weston situation is probably the most intriguing one. With Vilhete almost a shoe-in in midfield these days, I wonder whether Weston will have to become the club's new utility player who fills in where required if he wants to get regular first team football? Just a thought guys.
Re: Strongest line up?
Weston can do that, though. Got the all round game and football intelligence to play a number of positions. Could definitely play either wing back without letting anyone down to give the young lads a rest when they need it and maybe even at centre back in a back 3? (though we're not as short of players there) So take your point but that's not a bad thing at all. There will also be games, especially on the road, where Weston's experience and nous is still needed in central midfield.dawat wrote:What I am about to suggest may be blasphemy to some of you, but just give it some thought. Has there been a bigger shift in team selection than may be fully appreciated. If anyone had told me that our team without Weston, Akinde , Johnson and Stephens would be doing so well I'd probably have laughed at them. So are these automatic first choice players in danger of becoming squad players waiting for their chance to break back into the team?
For me the Weston situation is probably the most intriguing one. With Vilhete almost a shoe-in in midfield these days, I wonder whether Weston will have to become the club's new utility player who fills in where required if he wants to get regular first team football? Just a thought guys.
Still think Akinde and Stephens are sure fire starters once they're fit. For Johnson, let's hope he comes back the same player, he was never the fastest anyway so that's promising.
Re: Strongest line up?
Akinde is the first name on the team sheet when he's back, short memories of the great man.
Agree with Djhdjh, Weston away from home when we're up against it is where he shines. Energy and experience from him every week.
Agree with Djhdjh, Weston away from home when we're up against it is where he shines. Energy and experience from him every week.
Re: Strongest line up?
This. Nelson 2nd, Jack Taylor 3rd.mcleod23 wrote:Akinde is the first name on the team sheet when he's back, short memories of the great man.
Agree with Djhdjh, Weston away from home when we're up against it is where he shines. Energy and experience from him every week.
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- Posts: 3192
- Joined: 24 Jan 2011, 18:20
Strongest line up?
Whilst we're playing a 2 and with Tarpey out injured and unlikely to make himself undroppable, Akinde's a shoo-in to walk straight back in. JLAA hasn't done enough to warrant a guaranteed spot.
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Re: Strongest line up?
JLAA doesn't contribute enough goals to warrant starting when John is fit.
However, he has shown that he can hold the ball up and cause problems for the opposition. Mauro's second goal against Cambridge is a good example.
Coulthirst and Akinde is a partnership we'd all love to see flourish. Hopefully they will strike up a good understanding when the time comes.
However, he has shown that he can hold the ball up and cause problems for the opposition. Mauro's second goal against Cambridge is a good example.
Coulthirst and Akinde is a partnership we'd all love to see flourish. Hopefully they will strike up a good understanding when the time comes.
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Re: Strongest line up?
JLAA was excellent on Saturday - just saying. Had an extra bit of drive about him and caused lots of problems. Within our current system i've no issues with him being upfront.
Re: Strongest line up?
JLAA is not going to get 15 league goals but yes his involvement and pest factor is high. Always liked him and we missed his involvement when he went out on loan to Yeovil. Unlucky with his header on Saturday, couldn't do anymore with it (good save from Forde).