Only just joined this forum, previously used the Gasroom but am always up for discussing my favourite team. Very impressed with the forum so far, plenty of action on here. Anyway, who would you pick as your starting XI for the first game of the season. I'd go for Bull McCoy Winfield Johnson Sandell Ainsworth Lewis Donnelly Strevens Beavon Rendell Subs: Ingram, Tunnicliffe, Foster, Bloomfield, Harding, Betsy, McClure I'd rather pay 4-4-2 personally, not a huge fan of Strevens but he did well towards the end of last season and in the friendlies. Plus Grant and Betsy havn't done brilliantly on the left so far And I'd like to see Benyon in the first team too, when he's fit. Making a team has made me realise what a big squad we have, leaving the likes of Halls, Grant, Ibe etc out was hard to do, they deserve their chance
my choice bull mccoy winfield johnson sandell ainsworth lewis donnally betsy rendell beavon subs : Ingram, tunnicliffe, foster, harding, strevens, bloomfield, grant i rate betsy very much and, while the left is not his best position, he played very well there in the first half of last year and the bury game i think sums up how good he can be, despite how frustrating he can be. Strevens works hard, but i dont se much ability in him really and i think when benyon returns, he will drop out of the squad
My team: Bull Mccoy Winfield Tunnicliffe Sandell Ainsworth Lewis Donnelly Grant Benyon Rendell Also, I just read they're now only allowing 5 subs: Ingram, Johnson, Halls, Bloomfield, Beavon Some really hard decisions to be made, Waddock will have to be brave with his team selection
Welcome Russ. Id go..... Bull Mccoy Sandell Winfield Johnson Lewis Ainsworth Donnelly Betsy Benyon Rendell We actually have a really strong squad with Grant, Strevens, Beavon, Bloomfield, Halls and Tunnicliffe aswell. Cant wait for the new season. C'MON THE BLOOS!!
@Theblues I know that Betsy is not everyone's cup of tea but to leave him out of the squad would be foolish. Granted he is not great on the left but he would be a very good replacement on about 65 minutes for Ainsworth.
Nikki Bull = Great Since he arrived last year and deserves to be number one goalkeeper. Producing Character and saves. Marv McCoy Getting better every match for us. Dave Windfield committed strong and brave defending Ben Tunnclife only arrived strong, clever and very techers takes LG place any day. Andy Sandell committed gets forward, great crosses and FK Specialist Ben Harding Hard Working, Good Passer and Tackles all over park Stuart Lewis great pro, works hard and is a key player Scott Donnelly good attacking option, good ranges of passes and can defend as well. Gareth Ainsworth true legend, skipper and motivator Ben Stevens all-rounder good header, finisher and brings people into play Joel Grant Fast, Skilful. A new Jon Paul Pittman Subs: Arnold Or Ingram Cant Decide Not really a big concern but good talent in Ingram. And is England u18 keeper still not sure about number two but waddock likes Arnold and got a new 1 year deal without playing once. Danny Foster good cover for sands ad marvs. Has good final ball eg southend goal for streves and against Rotherham set gaz up. Leon Johnson Strong but injury prone Matt Bloomfield legend, had working, but not as teches as other mids John Halls arrived not much to say about him K Harris/J Ibe/ K Betsey two young stars can be used as impact players not ready for first team yet. and Betsey not the player he used to be ageing quickly. Stuart Beavon/Scott Rendell/Stuart Benyon Left To Fight into starting 11 and sub places are: Jeese Kewley Graham Josh Scowen Matt Mclure Olly Taylor need to show what there worth to 1st team in revs
The reduction to 5 subs is likely to have a detrimental effect on the development of the likes of Harris/Ibe. Assuming one of the subs is going to be a keeper, the 4 outfield subs are going to have to be able to play in more than 1 position. The following players may not make the first 11 but could be important players from the bench Foster - either full-back position and centre half if has to Bloomfield - across the midfield Grant - up front or out wide Given Ainsworth and Betsy advancing years it will be particularly important to have players who can come on and make an impact in the wide positions (rather than putting Strevens out wide).
maybe grant will be first choice on the left wing and betsy and ainsworth sharing the right mid role as they are not getting any younger
How is the reduction to 5 subs going to have a detrimental effect on the development of Ibe and Harris???? Last time I looked you can still only bring on 3 subs in any one game. Id personally say that the withdrawl from the reserve team league will have more of an effect. If they are good enough, they will come through, just like the days when we could only name 3 subs and use 2.
