Adam Webster is handed his Town debut alongside Christophe Berra as the Blues begin their 15th consecutive Championship season with a home game against Barnsley at Portman Road.

David McGoldrick also starts up front alongside Daryl Murphy with Freddie Sears set to play on the left with Teddy Bishop in the right.

New wide signings Grant Ward and Conor Grant are both on the bench, alongside Tommy Smith and Jonathan Douglas, both regulars last season. Kevin Bru partners Cole Skuse in the centre of midfield.

Paul Digby is among the subs against his old club, while Conor Hourihane, who was with the Blues between 2010 and 2011 without making an appearance, skippers the Tykes.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Webster, Berra, Knudsen, Bishop, Skuse, Bru, Sears, Murphy, McGoldrick. Subs: Gerken, Smith, Pitman, Digby, Ward, Douglas, Grant.

Barnsley: Davies, White, Roberts, Scowen, Hammill, Hourihane (c), Winnall, Yiadom, Bradshaw, Mawson, Kent. Subs: Townsend, Bree, Moncur, Lee, Nyatanga, Watkins, Payne. Referee: Keith Stroud (Hampshire).

Photo: Action Images

Andy32Cracknell added 14:25 - Aug 6 With that team it should be like this with any common sense. ------------------ Bart Chambers Webster Berra Knudson ---------------- Bru Skuse --Bishop McGoldrick Sears ------------------Murphy
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Ashinbarnsley added 14:26 - Aug 6 I like the line up can change to 4 3 3
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TomJamesLW added 14:26 - Aug 6 A slightly odd a selection, but more positive than we've come to expect. Personally would have preferred Smith to Berra and Ward to Bru but that may come over the next few games.
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Tractorboy1985 added 14:27 - Aug 6 We can't say there is not enough attacking force there.. I'm of the same as many that I like Sears up top but how can we complain of a strike force of Murphy and mcgoldrick? Bru alongside skuse I'm content with too.. Keep Douglas out as long as poss! A new season.. New believe.. COYB!! Hope all those who attend the game leave happy!
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TimmyH added 14:30 - Aug 6 Reasonable starting line up...not so sure Bishop should be wide right though and again still starting Sears out wide are minor quibbles, I'd like to have seen Ward out on the left and maybe McGoldrick out on the right in a more attacking position. On another note feel sorry for Smith being dropped and on a plus point at least no Douglas starting!
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BlueandTruesince82 added 14:32 - Aug 6 Fairly happy with that, never expected the Grants to start having joined so recently. I'm in the Smith over Berra camp but if he plays like he did in his first 2 seasons with us I can argue with the selection. COYB.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 14:33 - Aug 6 *can't
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runningout added 14:35 - Aug 6 Mental strength and ruthlessness required by whole squad, from day one to last of season.. We have the ability although we still require bolstering and something tough and creative in midfield... God, I wtite some sh*t
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Jimmy86 added 15:00 - Aug 6 Good, positive team, with the right personnel. Would like to see that as a 4 3 3 or 4 2 3 1, buy it's fluid enough to change. COYB!!
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