Matchday 1 - Inverness home

[bobafett]

The OP prediction of Robbie's team is probably spot on. Cammy Smith's not played much pre-season/LC so I'd be surprised if he starts and Neilson will definitely play Robson left midfield against ICT. Until Pawlett's back or the Nicholson transfer magically transpires we're stuck with that, I'm afraid. He won't take a chance on Banks or Chalmers in the league. Not yet anyway.
I think It'll be a draw. I don't, however, subscribe to the popular theory on here that we MUST get off to a flier. We've got by far the strongest squad in the league and I think that will tell over the course of the season. This will not be a scoosh. Anyone who thinks so hasn't been paying attention the past few years.

[bobafett]

There is nothing wrong with the 4-2-3-1 formation if you have the players to play it,i think they should add this to the Largs coaching manual.

4-2-3-1 can only be used if you have fullbacks like Andy Robertson,holding players equal to Gomis,a three behind the striker as good as GMS,Gauld and Armstrong and a spearhead equivalent to Ciftci.If you do not have players of that calibre at your disposal and you are an established Championship side stick to the tried and tested 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 for the more adventurous amon gst you.

Agree with all points there. Does my tits in that folk on here bang on about 1 upfront being negative. It's not, some of the best attacking football I've ever seen came from teams playing 4-2-3-1 but you have to have the right kind of players. Unfortunately we don't.
I'd love to see us try a 4-3-3 with King, Butcher and Harkes in midfield, McMullan, Shankland and Clark/Sow up top. We have 2 pretty mobile and attacking full-backs now in Sporle and Smith so getting proper width shouldn't be beyond us in that system. Nae danger he'll ever do it though.

[GUNBOAT]

Totally agree, however the only other options i see for left mid are Chalmers and Banks and i don’t think starting a youngster against what will be a very physical Inverness team is the way to go. Could also ask Appere to go out and do a job on the left but i’ve been screaming at Neilson to play players in their natural position and i see Appere as more of a central forward. So barring an arrival or two this week i think it has to be Robson until Pawlett is fit?

Very good OP but its worth remembering that DFC played a 16 year old yesterday and he got MOTM,i agree that ICT are a bunch of hammer throwers they fouled the Dee NO9 constantly but our current side have a few in that mould too.

[Arab_1988]

In this league its crucial to have at least a couple of players in that mould. People to stand up and be counted when the going gets tough. Im not expecting free flowing football, what i want is effective football which in my opinion is finding a way to get the ball in the box enough times to give Shankland the chance to fire us to the title. I don’t care whether its seeing the ball passed out from the back or whether its punted 70 yards and playing on seconds, i simply want to see us win. As for the youngsters if they are good enough they are old enough, however i feel with what i have seen of them so far they might still not be ready for a starting shirt week in week out yet and with the pressure that Tanadice will bring opening game it might be best to see them come on second half instead of starting.

[shedka]

Agree with that completely

[GUNBOAT]

So do i but the 16 year old Dundee player(i honestly don't know his name) was well worth a start even against the highlander's.At this present time its probably fair to say that DFC have the better youth players than us due to the ST years.

[TerryTheTerror]

Because of one 16 year old starting? We currently have Robson, Appere, Banks, and Mochrie getting game time having come through the youth ranks.

[arab81]

If our midfield has mcmullen, clark & stanton in it on Saturday we won't win.

Can't believe the season starts on Saturday and there's areas of the park that need drastic improvement.

I still say neilsons position will be reviewed after the first derby.

Fingers crossed I'm wrong.

[GUNBOAT]

Because of one 16 year old starting? We currently have Robson, Appere, Banks, and Mochrie getting game time having come through the youth ranks.

Nah they brought on another one as a sub,a 16 year old i meant.

[GUNBOAT]

Robson is in his twenties Terry,you need to read the post mate i said YOUTH players.