Team v Forest

[CrosspoolClarets]

I would go for:

Trafford (because I suspect he was told he will start when signing)
Roberts——O’Shea——Beyer——-Vitinho (because needs must)
Cullen———Berge
Gudmundsson——-Brownhill——-Tresor
Foster

Some pragmatism and experience. Amdouni is a far better player than Brownhill but arguably less effective as an attacking midfielder. We need solidity and pace, I’ve sacrificed some pace for JBG who has reasonable defensive qualities. Vitinho because he has played there before and Taylor won’t be picked and Delcroix is a LCB while Roberts is needed on the right. Berge has great pedigree, those questioning him is becoming silly season, his best times for Genk, Norway and Sheffield were all in defensive midfield with a license to carry forward. Tresor should be our best player. He was holding out for much bigger clubs and his price started very high, he has to start because we need something to happen and fast. More likely a talent like him than one of our youngsters.

[SalisburyClaret]

Trafford
Roberts Al Dakhil Beyer Taylor
Cullen
Brownhill Cork Berge
Tresor
Foster

[Hedontplayforyou]

Hard to say what VK will pick really but I’ll go for this :

Trafford
Roberts
Beyer
O’Shea
Delcroix
Cullen
Brownhill
Koleosho
Tresor
Amdouni
Foster

[Taffy on the wing]

Tresor will start

I'd forgotten about him

[jojomk1]

No surprise
He is one of our many wingers and you can't be expected to remember all their names

[maidenover]

Muric
Roberts
Beyer
Al Dakil
Taylor

Cullen
Berge
Brownhill

Tresor
Zaroury

Foster

[Granny WeatherWax]

Trafford
Roberts, O’Shea, Beyer, Vitinho
Cullen, Berge
Koleoshi, Amdouni, Tresor
Foster

That’s the team I think VK will pick

Hope not, that team gets spanked.

[summitclaret]

Play Taylor at left back and 3 proper centre midfielders (one advanced) or we will have learnt nothing and the nativity will continue.

[Firthy]

Muric
Roberts
Beyer
Al Dakil
Taylor

Cullen
Berge
Brownhill

Tresor
Zaroury

Foster

This. Good solid team but Amdouni might start ahead of Zaroury.

[dougcollins]

Berge doesn't make my team.

[summitclaret]

Play Taylor at left back and 3 proper centre midfielders (one advanced) or we will have learnt nothing and the nativity will continue.

Jesus what have I done.

[KateR]

Tresor did have an injury just before we signed him, so could be a question mark, plus, how much time has he had to play with the majority of players who've been away on international duty?? For me he was the player I hoped we'd get the most, so I certainly want to see him playing at the earliest.

[dougcollins]

Tresor did have an injury just before we signed him, so could be a question mark, plus, how much time has he had to play with the majority of players who've been away on international duty?? For me he was the player I hoped we'd get the most, so I certainly want to see him playing at the earliest.

I think you're right, if he's fit he's straight in.

[spt_claret]

Can't remember if Ramsay's fit. Assuming he's still not, team I'd pick:
--------------------------Muric
Roberts Al Dakhil Beyer Taylor/Vitinho
-----------Berge Cullen Brownhill
Koleosho----------------------------Zaroury/Tresor/Larsen
----------------------Foster

Subs: Trafford, O'Shea, leftover of Vitinho/Taylor, Cork, JBG, Benson, Amdouni, other 2 of zaroury/tresor/Larsen

Team I expect:
---------------Trafford
Roberts, O’Shea, Beyer, Al Dakhil/Delcroix
------------Cullen, Berge
Koleosho, Amdouni, Tresor
--------------Foster
Subs: Muric, leftover of Delcroix/Al Dakhil, Brownhill, Cork, JBG, Zaroury, Benson, Larsen, Rodriguez

[BleedingClaret]

The one think that I think has worked so far, much better in Foster's case than I expected, The 3 of Foster, Amdouni & Koleosho have been a threat.
Foster is the CF but comes from deep so already on the move and hard to pick up and contain
Amdouni positions as a 9 creating space for Foster but comes deep as a 10, he was excellent against Forest in the cup and looks like he has goals in him imo
Koleosho is a straight forward one, quick and strong and with desire.
this is your front 3 for me, to ommit any is a mistake (not seen Tresor at this level yet)
Play your best keeper
Play a proper defence
Play a combative midfield
Then you have a chance

[brexit]

Muric

Beyer
Al Dakil
O'Shea

Kolesheo
Cullen
Berge
Tresor

Zaoury
Amoundi
Foster

[Belial]

I suppose that at some point, this joke will be funny.

Some get it....some clearly don't

[alwaysaclaret]

Muric

Beyer
Al Dakil
O'Shea

Kolesheo
Cullen
Berge
Tresor

Zaoury
Amoundi
Foster

Won't leave Roberts out, integral to he's plan's, wherever he plays him

[jedi_master]

Why have I all of a sudden got a really good feeling about tonight?

[burnley007]

Why have I all of a sudden got a really good feeling about tonight?

alcohol?

I'm hoping that kicks in for me with my 1st pint tonight.

[burnley007]

Trafford
Larsen Redmond Odobert JBG
Zaroury Benson
Amdouni
Koleosho Foster Tresor

I would have Odafemi in goal when fit.

[Conroy92]

Muric
O Shea Al Dakhil Beyer
Roberts Cullen Berge Larsen
Amdouni
Benson Foster Tresor

[burnley007]

Muric
O Shea Al Dakhil Beyer
Roberts Cullen Berge Larsen
Amdouni
Benson Foster Zaroury

I have wondered whether VK could work on Bruun Larsen to become a left wing-back. He seems a solid, technical player.

[Dark Cloud]

I'm not sure about the rest, but Brownhill has to start imo. We've been far too soft in midfield as well as at the back. Attacking wise we've a ton of handy options, but we've got to look far more solid out of possession and the team selected has to reflect that.

[claretandy]

I have wondered whether VK could work on Bruun Larsen to become a left wing-back. He seems a solid, technical player.

He's right footed.

[Jakubs Tash]

Muric
O Shea Al Dakhil Beyer
Roberts Cullen Berge Larsen
Amdouni
Benson Foster Tresor

I know Benson is small but I'm not convinced we'll get away with playing 12.

[Conroy92]

I know Benson is small but I'm not convinced we'll get away with playing 12.

Good spot

[jlup1980]

Muric
Roberts O'Shea Beyer Taylor
Brownhill Cullen
Koleosho Amdouni Tresor
Foster

We have enough quality in the final third to hurt teams without being gung-ho about it. We need to be clever and utilise our experienced players. BHA are the template. They dominated Man Utd at OT with Dunk, Welbeck and Lallana in their starting 11. Their know-how of the PL is an important part of their set-up. They have lots of exciting players with flair and pace but they offset that with older heads. We need to use the little experience we have (Roberts, Taylor and Brownhill).

[Newcastleclaret93]

Muric
Roberts O'Shea Beyer Taylor
Brownhill Cullen
Koleosho Amdouni Tresor
Foster

We have enough quality in the final third to hurt teams without being gung-ho about it. We need to be clever and utilise our experienced players. BHA are the template. They dominated Man Utd at OT with Dunk, Welbeck and Lallana in their starting 11. Their know-how of the PL is an important part of their set-up. They have lots of exciting players with flair and pace but they offset that with older heads. We need to use the little experience we have (Roberts, Taylor and Brownhill).

I think that team is quite decent. However Il be amazed if Trafford is dropped for any league games.

[Spijed]

Muric
Roberts O'Shea Beyer Taylor
Brownhill Cullen
Koleosho Amdouni Tresor
Foster

We have enough quality in the final third to hurt teams without being gung-ho about it. We need to be clever and utilise our experienced players. BHA are the template. They dominated Man Utd at OT with Dunk, Welbeck and Lallana in their starting 11. Their know-how of the PL is an important part of their set-up. They have lots of exciting players with flair and pace but they offset that with older heads. We need to use the little experience we have (Roberts, Taylor and Brownhill).

Brentford & Palace also have similar set ups, with a mixture of young and more experienced players.

[Bullabill]

Play Taylor at left back and 3 proper centre midfielders (one advanced) or we will have learnt nothing and the nativity will continue.

So, this is a re-birth?

[FeedTheArf]

Given I've not come close to predicting the line-up in any of the games so far, here's my guess. I think nobody expects him to start Taylor so he'll start!

_____________Trafford___________
Roberts____Beyer____O'Shea____Taylor
Koleosho___Cullen___Berge___Tresor
____________Amdouni____________
_____________Foster_____________

What I'd prefer to see is

_____________Muric_____________
Roberts ___Al-Dakhil____Beyer____Taylor
Koleosho ___ Cullen___Cork___Tresor
_____________Brownhill______________
____________Foster_____________

I don't think Trafford has done a massive amount wrong, but Muric will have a point to prove after a rubbish loan there in his younger days and we'd benefit from a defence who actually looked like they'd played together before. We need the extra solidity of Cullen/Brownhill/Cork to allow Tresor and Koleosho (I've probably butchered the spelling of his name several times by now but can't be bothered checking!) to get up and support Foster

[Spiral]

Main points are 1. three centre midfielders, 2. we shouldn't write off Delcroix too soon, 3. our build up is better with Muric

So any team selection or shape that allows us to to play Muric, Delcroix at LB, Cullen, Berge and Brownhill needs to be the one. Foster and Beyer are the 1st names on the team sheet, Roberts is almost at that level, so there's 3 players left to pick - the RCB, and the attackers around Foster. Persevere with Amdouni because he has class, give Tresor a run out.

[CoolClaret]

Main points are 1. three centre midfielders, 2. we shouldn't write off Delcroix too soon, 3. our build up is better with Muric

So any team selection or shape that allows us to to play Muric, Delcroix at LB, Cullen, Berge and Brownhill needs to be the one. Foster and Beyer are the 1st names on the team sheet, Roberts is almost at that level, so there's 3 players left to pick - the RCB, and the attackers around Foster. Persevere with Amdouni because he has class, give Tresor a run out.

Agree with most of this but Beyer can easily play RCB, Delcroix LCB and Chaz LB.

[Spiral]

Agree with most of this but Beyer can easily play RCB, Delcroix LCB and Chaz LB.

I just think Taylor isn't as comfortable receiving the ball as our other defenders, and this affects our build-up. It might also be useful to the opposition, because they can almost invite the pass to Taylor by giving him space, and I think in their ideal world Taylor would be the one they'd want to receive the ball for them to press, because he's not as slick with the ball as any of our other defenders and will be more prone either to a mistake, or to a long punt forward which doesn't really play into our style. While his defending hasn't exactly been top-notch (no one's has this season), Delcroix has shown a few signs of the slickness and comfort with the ball at his feet required of our playstyle (and he's played LB in the past).

[Antmass]

Jesus what have I done.

-----------------------------Mary---------------------------
Frankenstein--------------Joseph---------------Muir
-----------------------Midd 3 (The Magi)---------------
Herod------Ian Keeper-------Starr----------Don Key


Manager: Judas

[jlup1980]

I think that team is quite decent. However Il be amazed if Trafford is dropped for any league games.

Totally agree he won't drop Trafford and I think we all know Taylor won't be anywhere near the squad, never mind the starting 11. In reality I think VK will go with the following:

Trafford
Roberts O'Shea Beyer Delcroix
Berge Cullen
Koleosho Amdouni Tresor
Foster

[Dark Cloud]

-----------------------------Mary---------------------------
Frankenstein--------------Joseph---------------Muir
-----------------------Midd 3 (The Magi)---------------
Herod------Ian Keeper-------Starr----------Don Key


Manager: Judas

Muir!!!?? (Shakes head vigorously!)

[equinox]

Personally I'm desperate to see us not get opened up everytime the opposition attack, so I'd start like this and take it from here as the game develops:

.......Trafford (purely because he's better with the high ball)...

................Al Dakhil............Beyer..........Delcroix...............

Roberts..........Cullen........Brownhill...... Berge.........Taylor....

..............................................Benson............................................ .

.......................................Foster............................................. ..

[CoolClaret]

Trafford (purely because he's better with the high ball)

Really? Seems like he’s a puncher not a grabber from what I’ve seen so far and stays on his line.

Muric got really good at claiming the high ball! One of his strengths

[equinox]

Muric got really good at claiming the high ball! One of his strengths

He's got better, still miles off being 'really good', Nick Pope is 'really good'.

[ecc]

Nick is 31 and has 180 PL games under his belt. True he hit the ground running for us but he's improved with time.

[CoolClaret]

He's got better, still miles off being 'really good', Nick Pope is 'really good'.

I think he was getting right up there in all honesty.

I thought he was always alright tbh, we just got peppered against Sheff U away when non of our centre halves could win a header

I know a few Notlob lot that are very high on Trafford but say his weakness is probably the high ball, just a phenomenal shot stopper but has a tendency to punch and stay on his line.

He can learn of course, just don’t think the eye test shows he’s ’better’ at claiming the high ball yet.

[equinox]

I think he was getting right up there in all honesty.

I thought he was always alright tbh, we just got peppered against Sheff U away when non of our centre halves could win a header

I know a few Notlob lot that are very high on Trafford but say his weakness is probably the high ball, just a phenomenal shot stopper but has a tendency to punch and stay on his line.

He can learn of course, just don’t think the eye test shows he’s ’better’ at claiming the high ball yet.

You maybe right, that Sheff Utd. game still haunts me though, anyway our keeper is the least of our problems.

[nil_desperandum]

Personally I'm desperate to see us not get opened up everytime the opposition attack, so I'd start like this and take it from here as the game develops:

.......Trafford (purely because he's better with the high ball)...

................Al Dakhil............Beyer..........Delcroix...............

Roberts..........Cullen........Brownhill...... Berge.........Taylor....

..............................................Benson............................................ .

.......................................Foster............................................. ..

Looks a fairly solid selection but surely there are about half a dozen players who would be better suited to that role than Benson.
Tresor and Ramsey being but two.
I'm not sure that we'll go 3 at the back either at that second half against Spurs.

[equinox]

Looks a fairly solid selection but surely there are about half a dozen players who would be better suited to that role than Benson.
Tresor and Ramsey being but two.
I'm not sure that we'll go 3 at the back either at that second half against Spurs.

Not seen Tresor or Ramsey, I admit to trying to shoehorn Benson in but the theory being: Give the lad a sight of goal and he'll stick it in the top corner, I want him as far up the pitch as possible.

[equinox]

...it would be 5 at the back without the ball, five proper defenders each playing on their strongest foot.

[Anthonini]

Totally agree he won't drop Trafford and I think we all know Taylor won't be anywhere near the squad, never mind the starting 11. In reality I think VK will go with the following:

Trafford
Roberts O'Shea Beyer Delcroix
Berge Cullen
Koleosho Amdouni Tresor
Foster

Hope so. Experience in the back. Cullen - Berge should be complementary, Berge is a class midfielder that we should build our team around.

No doubts about Trafford either. He's one of our top transfers this summer and he's still young so he will be getting better every day. Benching him would be a dumb move financially.
I don't get the criticism by the way. He performs well, could do very little about the conceded goals and he's made some great saves already. Besides being romantic about last season I see no reasons to suddenly start playing Muric.

Looking forward to seeing Tresor play for us!

[Spiral]

...it would be 5 at the back without the ball, five proper defenders each playing on their strongest foot.

If you play a high intensity press and hunt in packs to win the ball, play a high line and try to put teams on the back foot, you can contain a lot of their attacks with your midfield by having numbers in their half and blocking runs and passing lanes, but if you go five at the back you sacrifice either a midfielder to accommodate the extra defender, which means you lose that ability to hunt in a pack and interrupt attacks, or you sacrifice a forward for the defender, which makes it harder to score in the game because you're creating fewer chances, so unless you've got legit wingbacks on both sides (and I mean proper pacy and tricky wingbacks, not just Taylor running in a straight line for the by-line) who can defend well out of possession and give some width and creativity in possession (something we don't have), it can sort of counterintuitively invite pressure, meaning you have to do more defending and probably still concede enough to lose you a game, especially if you aren't creating as many chances, so I don't think it's always as simple as playing more defenders to improve the defence. The biggest problem we've had has been that our defenders have been found in 1-on-1 situations quite a lot, and a good way of counteracting that is to beef up the midfield to it's harder for teams to work into those positions. It's a really simple personnel shift, bring Brownhill in for an attacker.

[Roosterbooster]

Taylor starts