Most liked posts in thread: Starting eleven

The last 3 times I've attended training Jake has not been there.
When I saw him training by himself I thought he was on the long road back, hope the lad hadn't had another set back, lets hope not.

 

You seem to know him, any truth in it that it was misdiagnosed with a serious groin injury but was really his back that was the issue? Therefore the major hold up and having to start from scratch essentially?

 

Yeah I get that and I agree don't rush but if back in full training in September then we won't see him until Nov/December at the earliest.

 

Shame really, think he was/is a very tidy footballer and moves the ball well. Would be an asset to the midfield fully fit. Saw more from him in that brief time before the injury than Akpan and Anderson. Hopefully dropping down a level and playing in a more confident team may boost their ability.

 

Despite the fact he is already proven in League 2? He's definitely not performed to our expectations so far but who did last season? However, he has shown glimpses of promises and their are signs of a decent player their.

I suggest injuries, a toxic atmosphere and a complete amateurish set up last season will have not helped anyone impress. He has much to prove to us but I have no doubt he can handle League 2.

 

To start the season
O’Donnell
Mellor
Longridge
P OConnor
Everton
Palmer
Anderson
Ishmail
Vaughan
Donaldson
Scannell

 

Akpan seemed to pick up temporarily last year when the fitness guy joined from Spurs. It meant we let Jim O’Brien leave. Then his form dipped.

 

As it stands I would play this:

---------------ODonnell-------------
Mellor--POC--BRC--Longridge
-------Anderson----Palmer-------
Scannell------McCartan--------
------Vaughan----Donaldson----

Subs:
Hornby
AOC
Henley
Akpan
Gibson
Ismail
Doyle

Squad:
Wood, Riley, French, Devine, Reeves (play when fit), Patrick, GSK


Personally, think that looks really strong with plenty of options across the bench and remaining squad.
It would be a little bit lopsided playing with 1 winger in Scannell. Longridge may be able to play the Meredith role covering the whole of the left flank, he certainly seems to be quite attacking best on his stats? That would allow us to play a 3rd centre midfielder who could get forward (think McCartan might surprise a few) and also 2 strikers.

 

The problem with that team is that McCarten hasn't kicked a ball yet, so will he be match fit in 2 weeks?

 

No home grown player on that bench.

 

Maybe, but I'm not so sure.

 

RO'D
Mellor Paudie Liverpool Longridge
Palmer Akpan Gibson
Scannell Vaughan Doyle

Subs Hornby Riley or Wood French Anderson Ismail McCarten Donaldson

Aint too shabby for a Pub League ?

 

From what we have seen in pre season so far...

O’Donnell

Mellor French REV Longridge

Scannell Akpan Palmer Gibson

Vaughan Donaldson

What I think our strongest 11 will be (so far) is....

O’Donnell

Mellor Paudie REV Longridge

Scannell Akpan Palmer Ismail

Vaughan Donaldson

 

The rule is, to be classed as 'home grown at club' the player needs to have been registered at the club for 3 years before the age of 21. But it doesn't seem to be clear at what stage that period starts with, on the FA rules. They took it from the UEFA rules for CL/EL squads, and for that registration rule it's that the player needs to be registered at the club for 3 years between 15-21.

I mean, clubs sign kids for U12 squads these days and keep them around until their 16. But not sure if that means they are home grown, if they make it to the pro levels then come back later in life like Donaldson has. He was released at 16, signed for Hull and stayed until he was 21. So technically if it is an exact copy of the UEFA rule, I'd say his home grown at club would be Hull.

 

Sorry ...... NOT for me
We STILL lack 'bite' in a reliable holding midfielder. That hole alone could prove costly, come May. 10 points dropped, rather than gained ?
STILL time to go, and I'm sure GB and the Management are doing all they can, as I write. With some important friendlies to come, and 2 weeks left ...... lots can change

 

I’d like a couple more signings but I won’t be overly concerned if we don’t get anyone else in. I think our squad is good as it stands. Granted there are a few areas that are weaker than I’d like (mainly CM and LW) but we have options there and maybe GB thinks he players we have are more than capable to do the job.

Overall though the starting lineups that are being posted in this thread look very good for L2 IMO.

 

I know hardly anyone on here rates him but I think we'll see Devine on the bench.

 

I know he's not popular but if we don't sign anyone else A. O'Connor could play that holding role in front of the two CB's, I think he played that role for Aberdeen in the bigger games in the SPL.

 

I appreciate your points, and hard to disagree. However, so youthful is the back four, all the more they should be well protected by a solid experienced DM. All about opinions and perceptions huh ? Let's hope we're both celebrating, come May !