Starting eleven

More chance of me being sub than Vaughan.

 

Thanks for explaining, but still disagree. Facets that look potentially strong, but other areas that are as weak as a tea bag dipped in tepid water...!

 

If Doyle clicks with Donaldson in pre-season, there is no reason why he cannot start and force Vaughan to have to win his place.

 

Doyle I don't rate at all, he can go for me.

 

With the players at our disposal so far and dependant on them staying i would say certain players are guaranteed starters. O'Donnell in goal, Paudie O'Connor, Longridge, Richards-Everton, Akpan, Scannell, Vaughan. 4 places up for grabs dependant on formation. I'd expect Mellor to start but not sure where Bowyer will play him, he looked fairly handy when played further up field. He seems to favour Anderson in a central midfield role so i'm guessing he will be a probable starter. I'd expect Donaldson to be a starter as well at this stage of his career, doesn't want to be bench warming. Left side not sure, maybe thats a slot open for Ismail or Robinson if he ever becomes available. McCartan is a possibility, not sure how he fits into the plans, not good enough for the 10 role prefer him as striker cover.

 

I think Vaughan is a definite starter m8, i see Bowyer as having him as the number one striker.

 

Do you think so? I have Donaldson as the first name on the sheet and Doyle and Vaughan fighting it out to partner him. For me, it depends on who clicks best in the warm up games

 

I'm not too sure yet, like you say it depends what Bowyer sees in training. Donaldson has the most recent game time at the higher level and he will probably start. I just can't see Vaughan on the bench, watching the interview he seems to be integral to Bowyers long term plan. I think its same with Scannell, if he's still here its a dead cert that he starts, no way would a player of his experience be warming the bench. Isn't the first friendly next week?

 

Yes, Guiseley next Saturday, followed by Brighouse the following Tuesday.

I just can’t see Doyle being left on he bench if he clicks with Donaldson and Vaughan doesn’t

 

Might go to the Brighouse one, not far down the road for me. Last season has put me off Doyle, maybe i'm being a bit unfair rating him on the fiasco of what was last year but his all round game disappointed me. He's as slow as an oil tanker and has the same turning circle. Maybe Bowyer sees a role for him but i wouldn't be disappointed to see someone else come in.

 

I can't imagine a more pointless thread. An awful lot will change between now and the first game of the season
Let's just wait and see shall we.

 

And yet you just wrote that you were sat next to Lawrence and asked if we knew what you asked him, before saying “nothing” as you wanted to leave him alone.

Now THAT was a pointless post..!

 

No, look again what I said.

 

“Look at it again”? No thanks. It was boring and pointless the first time

 

Akpan and Anderson have enough quality to be part of a promotion chasing starting XI. That said, I’m not convinced Akpan will stay and even if he does, the squad is still missing someone in the middle of the park who can put their foot on the ball, control the tempo of the game and connect defence to attack. They don’t have to be glamorous, just simplistic. Without referencing a cliche, basically a Gary Jones!

 

Like yourself, I feel it's far too early, and I expect to see two more permanent signings, and perhaps a couple of loans, over July (Still leaving August for any 'tweaking' ).

As things stand, the squad is lower half, to mid table, IMO. 3 or 4 more signings could change that significantly, depending upon the quality of those recruits.

Thankfully, GB's friendly fixtures program will allow him to see where the shortfalls are, and hopefully address them.

 

Unduly pessimistic

 

Why is that, Park ?

Midfield is central (no pun intended) to both attack and defence, and is obviously City's Achilles heel, as things stand.

MOST were rightfully cautious, late July last year. ON PAPER - City made some 'decent' signings, but many of us saw the imbalance, and a few holes. This year is no different, but still have plenty of time to resolve that.

 

I do agree we need a central midfielder and a left sided player and I am sure they will arrive in due course but I think the players we ha e signed should give us cause for optimism

 

I think you're overestimating the quality needed to be successful in this division. You don't need top quality players in every single position, 5 or 6 good players with a few decent ones mixed in will do it. As I see it, we've got a top GK, RB, CB, RW and two strikers - that's 6 players of real quality. Now Richards-Everton and Longridge may also fall into that bracket but as of yet we've no way of knowing. But either way should we get a couple of decent/average midfielders and a left winger we'll be up there.