What do you think our strongest squad/lineup will be this season? Providing we only sell Lewis, I'd say: Krul Aarons Zimmermann Gibson Byram Skipp Vrancic Buendia Cantwell Dowell Pukki Subs: McGovern Quintilla Godfrey Sorensen Hernandez Placheta Hugill We still have some decent reserves too: Barden Mumba Hanley Klose Tettey Mclean Sinani Martin Stiepermann? Idah There are others, but I am less convinced by them atm.
To predict what Farke thinks is strongest: Krul Aarons Gibson Godfrey Quintilla (Byram perhaps when fit) Skipp McLean Buendia Dowell Cantwell Pukki With Placheta or Onel as an alternative wide option to mix the threat up. I think central midfield is the key area where we need to hope things are improved. Hopefully Skipp or Sorensen add a strong defensive presence and ball retention/progression. Personally I wouldn't be against a narrow 4-3-2-1 formation: Vrancic Skipp McLean Buendia Cantwell Pukki.
Krul Aarons Hanley Gibson Byram Skipp McLean Placheta Dowell Cantwell Pukki Subs: McGovern Quintilla Godfrey Sorensen Hernandez Buendia Hugill We still have some decent reserves too: Barden Mumba Klose Tettey Zimmermann Sinani Martin Stiepermann? Idah Vrancic
At home, I'd go with: Krul Aarons Zimmerman Gibson Byram Skipp McLean (or Sørensen) Placheta Dowell Cantwell Pukki Away I'd like to see us play 3 at the back with WBs. Krul Aarons Zimmerman Godfrey Gibson Byram Skipp McLean (or Sørensen) Dowell Placheta Pukki The emphasis here is on counter-attacking with the WBs providing the width and McLean or Sørensen supporting the attack.
This thread goes to show that we have no consensus on (even to the degree of making the match day squad): - our best centre back pairing - our best central midfield combo - our best wingers/AMs I certainly can’t make my mind up on those. Eg I keep thinking I would want Stiepermann on the bench for the totally different style he brings, but who do you drop??!? So that really only leaves Krul, Pukki and our wingbacks (though on the left there’s debate) as relative certainties. Cantwell is in with regularity though. Mad! But shows strength in depth and it will certainly be an interesting season...
Spot on Rob. It looks like Sinani and Sitti may be off to Belgium on loan, such is the depth. I'm surprised that could happen before we know if anyone else is leaving.
I think it probably says that we feel we have exactly the right amount of cash we need from the Lewis sale and that the only way other players will leave is if we already have cover and we are offered silly money
Those positions are probably where we have the most depth, with the least question marks: Sitti would need Skipp, Tettey, Sorensen injured, and even then we could play Rupp+McLean, Vrancic is an option, etc. None of those are likely to leave. Trybull and Leitner remain options for now, but would need reintegrating to the squad. Sinani is apparently being considered as a forward option, where he's behind Pukki, Hugill and Idah in the pecking order, and Drmic hasn't left yet. We also have Buendia, Cantwell, Placheta, Dowell, Hernandez for wider areas. Seems like one of Buendia or Cantwell would be the most that would leave there.
Agree about Sitti and Mumba is probably ahead of him at DM as well. My concern with Sinari would be if both Emi and Todd leave.
I think that may be an oxymoron Rick. No-one can leave before we know if someone is leaving? Good luck with that.
As said above, it refers mainly to the possibility of Emi and Todd leaving after Sinani has gone on loan.