Likely Formation

I think J Walker will start if fit. I’d go with a 3-4-3 formation

Walker

3 CB’s

Haliday, Patterson, Sarcevic, AN other

Walker, Cook, Young

 

It's two up top for me. That's what GA has said he preferred so I think the shape will be something like;

Gk

CB CB CB

WB DM WB

CM/AM CM/AM

ST ST

5-1-2-2 with the wingbacks and the 2 more attacking midfielders providing much of the width.

If I had to guess the opening day line up it might be;

Walker

Byrne, Stubbs, Kelly

Halliday Smallwood Richards

Sarcevic Walker

Cook Young

We've good options in the top half of the team though with Pointon, Patterson, Kavanagh, Smith, Gillead etc so literally could be anything and it'd look ok. It's just that back 5 that seriously worries me.

 

I can't see us moving away from the 352 from last season. The squad is set up for it. If we are going to get the best out of the likes of Young and Kavanagh they need to play in a front 2 so it will be them 2 and Smith competing to start next to Cook.
I'll be very surprised if one of the 2 or 3 signings we are wanting to make isn't a LWB which is the area we look weakest in at the moment. If we are struggling to get one in I wouldn't be again trying Pointon in that position as a really attacking wing back but I don't think Alexander would go for that as he doesn't seem to trust him defensively.

 

I agree about Smith, he's very much going to be 4th choice behind Cook, Young & Kavanagh unless he has an amazing pre-season to force his way into the 11 against MK and has a start like Young did for Swindon.

 

More in hope really. He’s been here 2 years and I’m not impressed. For a former championship player his technical ability is poor in my opinion and the thoughtless hoofs upfield are really frustrating. I hope we have someone to challenge him, otherwise he’ll be a shoe in under GA otherwise.