I think the three new signings are good, but how many do you think will actually push for a starting place ?
With what appears to be a bit of a turnaround regarding the future (and maybe approach) for Defour are we at all likely to change it around to better suit him ?
I'm also really interested to see how we intend to use Walters?

Heaton
Lowton. Tarks. Mee. Ward

Cork. Westwood

Hendrick. Defour. Walters

Gray


I know this puts Walters on wrong foot but he starts given Brady form last season and lack of Gudmundson game time.
This allows Hendrick to get further forward where he is most dangerous and if back in favour Defour in the hole just where he should be.
Hopefully a centre half will replace tarks for me.
I think this with Walters and cork is already an improvement on last season

Heaton
Lowton..Tarks..Mee..Ward
JBG..Defour..Cork..Brady
Vokes..Gray
subs:Pope, Taylor, Long, Hendrick, Arfield,Walters,Barnes.

I've listed Long but am hoping for an upgrade at CB.

Heaton
Lawton Tarky Mee Ward
Brady Defour *Cork Hendick Walters
Gray

*holding role

451/433

Seems a flexible team that can go 442 or change to most formations during the game or with 1 sub.

We would have some great options from the bench, and Mr Dyche may have quite a few more selection headaches, far more often than last year.

Things are looking good, with still 5 weeks left of the transfer window.

-----------------Heaton---------------
---Lowton---Tarks---Mee---Ward---
----------Hendrick----Cork-----------
--Walters------Defour-------Brady--
------------------Gray------------------
Subs: Pope, Taylor, Vokes, Barnes, JBG, Westwood, Long

As above, I assume we will sign a new 1st team ready CB by the time the season starts so he can replace Long on the bench.

Assuming Gray and Defour stay, as well as the new CB, would like to see us add a pacy winger and striker to knock JBG from the bench and to challenge Vokes / Barnes. If Gray or Defour go, then we need to be even busier before the window shuts.

Heaton
Lowton Tarkowski Mee Ward
JBG Cork Hendrick Brady
Walters Vokes

That would be my guess based on Dyche's previous selections and the first pre season game.

For Chelsea away and mainly defending

Heaton
Tarks Mee Ward
Lowton Taylor wingbacks getting forward when they can
Hendrick Defour Cork
Vokes Walters

Only likely to score from a set piece so Gray would be useless here.

Heaton

Lowton Tark Mee Ward

Hendrick Cork Defour

JBG Gray Brady

Pope, Long, Taylor, Westwood, Arfield, Vokes, Barnes

Away at Chelsea...

Heaton
Lowton Tarks Mee Ward
Walters Cork Hendrick Westwood Brady
Barnes

Barnes to win free kicks, Brady to score free kicks. Everyone to defend.

Cos it's Chelski away
Rest the Flair & Vulnerable Ones

........................Heaton.........................
Lowton.......Long ...........Mee ..........Ward
........................Tarks.......................
...Westwood........Hendrick..............Taylor* *Boyd Role... Young can Run
...............Vokes..........Ash the Bash............

For West Brom Home
........................Heaton.........................
Lowton.........Tarks ...........Mee ..........Ward

JBG.............Cork........Hendrick.........Brady

................Gray........Vokes...................

Heaton

Lowts Tarks Mee Ward

JBG Cork Defour Brady

Vokes/Barnes Walters


And a bloody good bench

Colburn_Claret wrote:Heaton

Lowts Tarks Mee Ward

JBG Cork Defour Brady

Vokes/Barnes Walters


And a bloody good bench

Erm.... That's 12

4141

Heaton
Lowton/Tark/Mee/Ward
Cork
Walters/Hendrick/Defour/Brady
Vokes

Hendrick, Mee and Heaton seem like the only guaranteed starters which says a lot about the fact we're a team in transition. Not to be negative but it could be an ugly opening few weeks before the team settles.

BleedingClaret wrote:Erm.... That's 12

Really?

It's interesting how many are going for a central three of Defour, Cork and Hendrick. This has the potential to be a very strong midfield.

And also that everyone has chosen to stick with Ward at left back. I think this will be the case, Taylor will get his chance.

Another question, can Gray play on his own in a 451?

It's nice to see some posters taking into account our opposition, as it's something many people ignore on these type of threads.

I'd go 4-5-1:

Heaton
Lowton Tarky Mee Ward
Walters Defour Cork Hendrick Brady
Gray

BleedingClaret wrote:Erm.... That's 12

no XI obviously Vokes or Barnes, as highlighted by the forward slash......

halfmanhalfbiscuit wrote:Can Gray play on his own in a 451?

Yes. If he plays like he did against Man U at home. And if we play a midfield who will give him the right service: On the floor, in the channels

As it stands a typical Dyche 442
Heaton
Lowton Tarkowski Mee Ward
Walters Cork Hendrick Brady
Gray Vokes

We've definitely started with weaker

Heaton
Lowton Tarkowski Mee Ward
Cork Westwood
JBG Defour Brady
Barnes

Subs: Pope, Taylor, Long (K), Hendrick, Gray, Vokes, Walters

I don't think Andre's first touch is anything like as bad as some people claim, but it isn't yet good enough for him to play up front on his own. Vokes improved as the season went on and could now do that job, probably with Walters playing just behind him.

Gray and Barnes would be perfect to come off the bench against tiring defenders but I doubt Gray would settle for this role somehow...

The good thing is it's been a long time since the team didn't pick itself.

All I'll say is that you can't be leaving Hendrick out.

Colburn_Claret wrote:no XI obviously Vokes or Barnes, as highlighted by the forward slash......

Ok I'll give you that

Not my choice, but a prediction:

Heaton,
Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Ward,
Gudmondsson, Hendrick, Cork, Brady,
Vokes, Gray

For me I hope we make every effort to get Defour on to the pitch and to evolve I think we need to. We need to be able to change formations to suit different opposition. We also now have plenty of grafters and runners along with defensive midfielders to accommodate him.