Starting 11 when all fit

[Stan Marshall]

Ideally I think we still want 4-2-3-1 really so we can have three of Roberts, Enzio, Rodrigues and Knight playing in behind Wootton. So if everyone is properly fit it’s probably more like:

Slocombe
Brindley - Rawlinson - Lacey - McCrory (Barnett)
Reeves - Doyle
Roberts - Rodrigues - Boldewijn
Wootton

Personally, I wouldn’t have Barnett in a back four. He’s so weak defensively. On the other hand, McCrory is strong defensively but doesn’t offer much threat going forward.
Despite not being left footed, DKE is probably our best option for left back in a back four.

[jacobncfc]

Personally, I wouldn’t have Barnett in a back four. He’s so weak defensively. On the other hand, McCrory is strong defensively but doesn’t offer much threat going forward.
Despite not being left footed, DKE is probably our best option for left back in a back four.

Yeah, said later in the thread I agree on Barnett. I think McCrory is our best bet if fit, but that seems unlikely at any stage this season, so maybe DKE. We forgot about the suddenly reborn Adam Chicksen, though!

[Stan Marshall]

Yeah, said later in the thread I agree on Barnett. I think McCrory is our best bet if fit, but that seems unlikely at any stage this season, so maybe DKE. We forgot about the suddenly reborn Adam Chicksen, though!

Yes, I forgot about the reborn Chicksen too. If he can maintain his current form, he would be the obvious choice at left back in a back four.

[MancMagpie]

Tough question and a good one...

When you think Enzio is being played out of position, but is playing very well. Cal, McCrory, Turner, Lacey, Brindley all injured. It's too hard to call. The injured players won't be up to speed and it's hard to know what their form will be like.

If everybody was on form and at full match fitness...I would propose this...

.............Slocombe.............
Brindley Rawlinson Ellis DKE
............Reeves...............
Roberts.......Rodrigues.....Enzio
........Wooton Knowles

4-1-3-2

Although, that's a diamond formation really, and that hasn't worked for us in the past.

Subs:
Lacey
McCrory
Knight
Sam
Griffiths

Hard one for the manager when everyone is fit.

[MancMagpie]

EDIT.....I also forgot about the reborn Chicksen........but is he as good as McCrory or DKE at on full form and fitness? So hard to know. All we know is that at this moment in time...he is one of the first names on the teamsheet.

[MancMagpie]

Assuming IB doesn’t move from the 3-5-2, what would your starting 11 be?
Chicksen has added a balance to the back 3 with his left foot and his distribution has been decent.
I think the last two games have shown that if we can’t move the ball fast, then the players need to be fast.
For me it would be-
Slocombe
Lacey, Ellis, Chicksen
Doyle
Enzio, RR, Robert’s, Barnett
Wootton, knight

Jimmy doesn't even get a look!!!?

[the_anticlough]

I prefer a slightly different exercise - the starting 11 for a Wembley play-off final in the summer (our realistic route to promotion)...
Learning from the mistakes of the Harrogate disaster we need youth and running power, look where all the 'experience' got us last time...this was the side then

............Slocombe
Brindley Lacey Turner Bagan
........ Rose ....Doyle
......Roberts........O'Brien
..........Dennis Wootton

Imagining we get there again, thinking what 11 would do better than that is tough

[kill_the_drum]

Jimmy doesn't even get a look!!!?

Not if everyone is fit.

I know Knight has only played 60 mins for us but he’s quick and tenacious.
Right now, Knowles deserves his place but in the fullness of time, I see Knight being the better of the two.

[kill_the_drum]

If we were moving away from the current formation, I would go 4-2-3-1.
Slocombe
DKE, Lacey, Ellis, Chicksen
Doyle, RR
Enzio, Robert’s, Knight
Wootton

[Kelton]

Its obvious we are a better side playing 3 at the back. Scoring way more goals conceding more yes but we are better in that system so thats a must for me. Doyle will play a part till the end of the season but things are changing in the midfield too