| Kieran's first team 10:41 - Feb 10 with 2731 views | GreenEye |
We're a long way in and I'm not sure if we have a nailed-on team like last season. I also think there are too many changes to the starting line-up (despite injuries). Everyone on here has an opinion of course so mine just centres around some key positions.
I think we need Philips to start based on his performance at Brentford when he knew he was OK as Sam M couldn't play. Seemed very direct and more forward vision.
Omari has become a known target & is getting crowded out and bullied and I think better as an impact sub for a few games along with Chaplin. They always seemed to have a telepathic understanding and Omari seemed to play better with Chaplin on the pitch.
My Villa mate reckons Philogene is a good purchase. He got a decent goal at Coventry but wasn't fed anything at Liverpool despite screaming for the ball in good positions.
It's fine margins in the PL and Coventry showed us just how big the gap is. I still reckon we're going to stay up and if we stop making daft mistakes, could surprise a few people on the run in. |  | | |  |
| Kieran's first team on 11:48 - Feb 10 with 2518 views | Garv |
We're getting there in terms of our best XI, which is obviously a shame to be saying as far into the season as this, but with injuries (a lot), suspensions and poor form, it's not a surprise we haven't settled on a team.
Palmer
Tuanzebe O'Shea Greaves Davis
[insert name] Cajuste
Omari Enciso Broadhead
Delap
...is our best team on paper currently IMO.
Enciso gives the impression he'll be crucial to our chances of survival, simply because he looks very good. If Chaplin can get fit I think he'll be second choice for that position.
I'm sure Philogene has always been targeted as a first choice and he'll start games for sure, but Broadhead, while needing a goal, is playing well and should be keeping his place for the time being. Omari is our best RW option.
I still think Burgess is being hard done by, Greaves hasn't convinced me but he's clearly seen as the first choice LCB.
As I see it the only real debate is Morsy Vs Phillips. I'm just about on the Morsy side of that because I still think he's the leader and heartbeat of the team, but I see the argument for someone with a bit more legs.
Irrespective of all that I'm sure McKenna will pick his teams based on the oppo anyway, so we'll probably see regular changes, rightly or wrongly. |  |
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| Kieran's first team on 11:57 - Feb 10 with 2468 views | Reus30 |
| Kieran's first team on 11:48 - Feb 10 by Garv |
We're getting there in terms of our best XI, which is obviously a shame to be saying as far into the season as this, but with injuries (a lot), suspensions and poor form, it's not a surprise we haven't settled on a team.
Palmer
Tuanzebe O'Shea Greaves Davis
[insert name] Cajuste
Omari Enciso Broadhead
Delap
...is our best team on paper currently IMO.
Enciso gives the impression he'll be crucial to our chances of survival, simply because he looks very good. If Chaplin can get fit I think he'll be second choice for that position.
I'm sure Philogene has always been targeted as a first choice and he'll start games for sure, but Broadhead, while needing a goal, is playing well and should be keeping his place for the time being. Omari is our best RW option.
I still think Burgess is being hard done by, Greaves hasn't convinced me but he's clearly seen as the first choice LCB.
As I see it the only real debate is Morsy Vs Phillips. I'm just about on the Morsy side of that because I still think he's the leader and heartbeat of the team, but I see the argument for someone with a bit more legs.
Irrespective of all that I'm sure McKenna will pick his teams based on the oppo anyway, so we'll probably see regular changes, rightly or wrongly. |
I don't think you are too far off. I would agree with all of that apart from Broady - not because I dislike him but I just think he and Enciso might be occupying relatively similar positions. It's strange because you associate Town's formation in the last few seasons as Burns is direct on the right, Chappers slightly on the right in a number 10 to play ball round the corner and Broady inside to let Leif overlap.
Playing Omari on the right means it's not as direct due to cutting inside and we could do with a marauding wingback on the right flying past if everyone comes out left like the reverse of the original plan.
Tricky. I think Jack Clarke might be the go to on the left in the next couple of games. Give him a good run. Alternatively, an ideal scenario would be Omari right, Chappers in 10, Enciso on the left cutting in. Decisions, decisions.
Then get an assortment of finishers settled:
Taylor
Hirst
JP
Chappers
Broady/SS.
Job done. |  | | |
| Kieran's first team on 12:05 - Feb 10 with 2424 views | ArnieM |
| Kieran's first team on 11:48 - Feb 10 by Garv |
We're getting there in terms of our best XI, which is obviously a shame to be saying as far into the season as this, but with injuries (a lot), suspensions and poor form, it's not a surprise we haven't settled on a team.
Palmer
Tuanzebe O'Shea Greaves Davis
[insert name] Cajuste
Omari Enciso Broadhead
Delap
...is our best team on paper currently IMO.
Enciso gives the impression he'll be crucial to our chances of survival, simply because he looks very good. If Chaplin can get fit I think he'll be second choice for that position.
I'm sure Philogene has always been targeted as a first choice and he'll start games for sure, but Broadhead, while needing a goal, is playing well and should be keeping his place for the time being. Omari is our best RW option.
I still think Burgess is being hard done by, Greaves hasn't convinced me but he's clearly seen as the first choice LCB.
As I see it the only real debate is Morsy Vs Phillips. I'm just about on the Morsy side of that because I still think he's the leader and heartbeat of the team, but I see the argument for someone with a bit more legs.
Irrespective of all that I'm sure McKenna will pick his teams based on the oppo anyway, so we'll probably see regular changes, rightly or wrongly. |
I’d be more inclined to try the following
Palmer
Tuanzebe O'Shea Greaves Davis
[insert name] Cajuste
Delap, Enciso Broadhead
Hirst |  |
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| Kieran's first team on 12:08 - Feb 10 with 2412 views | itfcjoe |
I think we do have a nailed on team in the main, but people just aren't happy with results so look further at it, plus a few injuries mixing it up.....but if everyone is fit I'd say it's this now
GK - Obvious isssues here, but is now Palmer
RB - Tuanzebe has started every game when fit
RCB - O'Shea has started every game (although had to fill in it at RB a bit)
LCB - Greaves has now started 6 of last 7 now fully fit (just missing Man City when rotated)
LB - Davis - Started every game
CM - Morsy - only missed 1-2 games when fit
CM - Cajuste - basically started every league game bar Liverpool since November
RW - Burns/Ogbene if fit, Johnson if more defensive
R10 - Omari started every game there bar Leicester and Saints
L10 - A bit up int he air but Szmodics generally when fit
ST - Delap
So realistically (if we assume Palmer is number 1) then 9 of the team doesn't really change and it is just the RW and L10 roles that are a bit up in the air; and they have knock on effects to the R10 role as Omari may move across |  |
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| Kieran's first team on 12:18 - Feb 10 with 2315 views | OldFart71 |
I did think there seemed to be a great togetherness of the team on Saturday and it was good to see players getting on the score sheet who aren't regularly the first on the team sheet. I think it would be a good idea to go with a similar team against Villa. Maybe having Delap and Hutchinson to come on as subs rather than them being automatic choices. If as a player you are running about and getting nowhere maybe you get frustrated. Mixing it up a bit where you remind those that have been automatic that it's not necessarily the case. Hirst did well as did several others. Yes it was only Coventry but you can't do much more than win by 4-1. | | | |
| Kieran's first team on 12:25 - Feb 10 with 2271 views | itfc1108 |
| Kieran's first team on 12:18 - Feb 10 by OldFart71 |
I did think there seemed to be a great togetherness of the team on Saturday and it was good to see players getting on the score sheet who aren't regularly the first on the team sheet. I think it would be a good idea to go with a similar team against Villa. Maybe having Delap and Hutchinson to come on as subs rather than them being automatic choices. If as a player you are running about and getting nowhere maybe you get frustrated. Mixing it up a bit where you remind those that have been automatic that it's not necessarily the case. Hirst did well as did several others. Yes it was only Coventry but you can't do much more than win by 4-1. |
I noticed some good team spirit right at the start, when we won the penalty, and you could see Szmodics ask Hirst if he wanted to take it. It's more normal now for players to argue over it. | | | |
| Kieran's first team on 12:28 - Feb 10 with 2237 views | Jrm_72 |
Completely agree with how unsettled the XI has been (most statistically unsettled in the league I believe). But I think baring injury we have a consensus 8 of 11 names nailed down:
Palmer, Tuanzebe, O'Shea, Greaves, Davis, Cajuste, Enciso, Delap
Of the three remaining, I personally pick Phillips over Morsy, though its a real Sophie's Choice there. As has already been said many a time on here by many people, not strengthening sufficiently at CM in Summer or January may very well be the thing that does for us come May.
I agree Broadhead has played himself into the starting lineup at LAM. Despite his continued confidence issues in front of goal (his misses vs Southampton reminded me of the same vs Norwich at home last year when you could see he had got in his own head), he is a cog that makes things move in the final third, we need his key attributes.
Last name is the hardest. By virtue of having literally nobody else, it has to be Omari. Its either him or Philogene, and Jaden seems pretty much the same player, so Omari gets it on his previous knowledge of the system and past performances. I have yet to be convinced either has justified the hype or pricetag yet though.
If he wasn't hurt, I would love to crowbar Szmodics into the starting 11 as I am a massive fanboy, but I think RAM is even worse of a fit for him than LAM, and there is no way he dislodges Enciso from 10. Enciso looks our only true premier league player.
So that makes it:
Palmer
Tuanzebe O'Shea Greaves Davis
Phillips Cajuste
Hutchinson Enciso Broadhead
Delap
On paper, I'd say it's going to be close, but I believe in them (and KMC) to get us north of 18th come May. Let's go! | | | |
| Kieran's first team on 12:43 - Feb 10 with 2117 views | BarcaBlue |
| Kieran's first team on 12:05 - Feb 10 by ArnieM |
I’d be more inclined to try the following
Palmer
Tuanzebe O'Shea Greaves Davis
[insert name] Cajuste
Delap, Enciso Broadhead
Hirst |
How does that line-up change on 70 minutes when the front 3 or 4 will be changed? I don't see the need either to push our top scorer out wide either. There may be an argument had to start Hirst when Delap needs a break but doesn't seem logical to start both. |  | | |
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| Kieran's first team on 13:29 - Feb 10 with 1933 views | bsw72 |
I don't think there is such a thing as a "first team" with KM - he seems to have a tendency to have ~15 / 16 regulars of which he has a preference to who starts vs finishes.
I don't necessarily agree it is about the strongest XI at the start and then next best to finish - I think KM looks at who can make the most impact and when - based on form, ability and the opposition.
Last season he found a working formular as we went through the year and then tweaked in January. For example Omari went from a sub to an impact sub to a starter, Chaplin and Luongo were mainly starters but subbed off well over 30 and 20 times respectively, same as Broadhead, Burns and Hirst, all more starters than finishers with over 20 substitutions off each.
Harness, Taylor and Jackson were all primarily finishers, coming on in the second half over 20 times during the season. After joining Sarmiento, Al Hamadi became finishers but rarely started (and often did not have the same impact when starting vs finishing) and Moore was a necessity to cover the injured Hirst.
As to this season, I think the levekl and depth of squads we are facing, plus the better quality of opposition coaching then compounded by our higher injury rates means that it has been far harder for KM to find the right formula week on week. |  | | |
| Kieran's first team on 14:00 - Feb 10 with 1798 views | Garv |
| Kieran's first team on 11:57 - Feb 10 by Reus30 |
I don't think you are too far off. I would agree with all of that apart from Broady - not because I dislike him but I just think he and Enciso might be occupying relatively similar positions. It's strange because you associate Town's formation in the last few seasons as Burns is direct on the right, Chappers slightly on the right in a number 10 to play ball round the corner and Broady inside to let Leif overlap.
Playing Omari on the right means it's not as direct due to cutting inside and we could do with a marauding wingback on the right flying past if everyone comes out left like the reverse of the original plan.
Tricky. I think Jack Clarke might be the go to on the left in the next couple of games. Give him a good run. Alternatively, an ideal scenario would be Omari right, Chappers in 10, Enciso on the left cutting in. Decisions, decisions.
Then get an assortment of finishers settled:
Taylor
Hirst
JP
Chappers
Broady/SS.
Job done. |
Wouldn't be against Omari Chappers and Enciso at all, it would surely be the smallest attacking line up (ignoring Delap) we've ever seen! | |
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| Kieran's first team on 15:05 - Feb 10 with 1609 views | farkenhell |
| Kieran's first team on 12:08 - Feb 10 by itfcjoe |
I think we do have a nailed on team in the main, but people just aren't happy with results so look further at it, plus a few injuries mixing it up.....but if everyone is fit I'd say it's this now
GK - Obvious isssues here, but is now Palmer
RB - Tuanzebe has started every game when fit
RCB - O'Shea has started every game (although had to fill in it at RB a bit)
LCB - Greaves has now started 6 of last 7 now fully fit (just missing Man City when rotated)
LB - Davis - Started every game
CM - Morsy - only missed 1-2 games when fit
CM - Cajuste - basically started every league game bar Liverpool since November
RW - Burns/Ogbene if fit, Johnson if more defensive
R10 - Omari started every game there bar Leicester and Saints
L10 - A bit up int he air but Szmodics generally when fit
ST - Delap
So realistically (if we assume Palmer is number 1) then 9 of the team doesn't really change and it is just the RW and L10 roles that are a bit up in the air; and they have knock on effects to the R10 role as Omari may move across |
You don't see Enciso in the starting 11 (with Szmodics fit)? | | | |
| Kieran's first team on 15:09 - Feb 10 with 1590 views | itfcjoe |
| Kieran's first team on 15:05 - Feb 10 by farkenhell |
You don't see Enciso in the starting 11 (with Szmodics fit)? |
I do, because Burns and Ogbene are out for the season too so he'll play as one of the 10s......just don't agree with the whole "we haven't worked out our best team" when reality is 9 of the 11 were pretty set going into the window and now with injuries we will probably still have the majority fairly set if we get some injury luck! | |
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| Kieran's first team on 15:30 - Feb 10 with 1501 views | CBMTOBWMMBG |
| Kieran's first team on 15:09 - Feb 10 by itfcjoe |
I do, because Burns and Ogbene are out for the season too so he'll play as one of the 10s......just don't agree with the whole "we haven't worked out our best team" when reality is 9 of the 11 were pretty set going into the window and now with injuries we will probably still have the majority fairly set if we get some injury luck! |
Interesting, if that is what happens we'll have two wingers that we spent £40m on as reserves!
And Johnson and Phillips - possibly our two best paid players, though I'm guessing of course - on the bench too.
Funny old game | | | |
| Kieran's first team on 18:14 - Feb 10 with 1220 views | ArnieM |
| Kieran's first team on 12:43 - Feb 10 by BarcaBlue |
How does that line-up change on 70 minutes when the front 3 or 4 will be changed? I don't see the need either to push our top scorer out wide either. There may be an argument had to start Hirst when Delap needs a break but doesn't seem logical to start both. |
I take your point re who to put in when the strikers get tired…. But why can’t we finish a game with this, instead of like for like. I honestly think we’d give teams problems with both Delap and Hirst on at the same time. Delap so red a lot of his goals for Hull playing wide… so why can’t it be tried here for part of a game ? | |
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