Pope, Tarks, Mee, Collins, McNeil, Cornet, Wood, Weghorst.
Right now, in this current team, who would you want back in the first XI ?

An injury free Cornet

Very good question, none of them look attractive propositions for our starting line-up.

As much as I like Muric, Pope is just a better keeper at keeper things, like **** stopping and commanding his area.
As for the rest I think we already have better now.

None tbh


don't think they would fit into our style of play under VK

Collins been dropped by Wolves lately unless he’s injured, but Dawson has been starting after signing from West Ham.

I’d probably have him back though. McNeil could play the role JBG played on Saturday I reckon.

Collins (as back-up) that's it.

Pope would be the last I'd bring back if we persist in playing it out from the back (which it looks like we will continue to do).

Brilliant keeper and shot stopper, but we all know what he was like with his feet.
Wouldn't fit this system at all.

McNeil would struggle to get on our bench now, never mind the starting 11.

Just a fit Cornet, Pope's passing not goodcenouhh for how we play mow although he is a better keeper.

McNeil through the middle.

In this division just Cornet.

In the Premier league Cornet and Pope.

HiThere wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 13, 2023 9:24 pm

McNeil through the middle.

In place of who ?

randomclaret2 wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 13, 2023 9:24 pm

In place of who ?

It would be Brownhill or on the bench waiting his chance. I'd still have him back, easily.

Westwood, the forgotten man.

None of them, that's genuine.
We've moved on, we will keep moving on.

The majority were great players for us, but we don't need them

For me, Ben Mee. He’s demonstrated at Brentford what he is capable of in a ball playing team

I'm not sure I'd take any of them back which isn't something I thought I'd be saying when they left in the summer.

However VK has worked the market incredibly well to assemble a side which might be even better than what we've seen in the last few seasons.

Pope in a heartbeat.

Plenty of us were championing a GK who was the best at goalkeeping to start for England, when he played for us. Quite why he's not good enough for us anymore (just because we don't need a GK in this **** poor league) is beyond me.

Muric is a fantastic passer of the ball. Next season we're going to need a goalkeeper.

All the players mentioned in the OP are brilliant players but I suppose it comes down to where we are "weakest", and I use that word begrudgingly because we're obviously extremely strong.

On who would improve the side immediately, my instinct was to go with Cornet. On further thought though Wood or Weghorst would be great in this side.

Anyone saying Pope must not have watched us much this season. Swap Muric for Pope and it's quite possible we wouldn't be top. He's that good, and that important.

Probably none. They’re all either too old now, unsuitable for our style of play, or no better than our current players.

Cornet and Collins the only exceptions to the above reasons. Unfortunately, Cornet’s an absolute sick note, and selling him was a great bit of business. Collins, I was disappointed to see leave, but he isn’t doing as well as I thought he might.

Wood wouldn’t work hard enough.

Darthlaw wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 13, 2023 9:32 pm

Pope in a heartbeat.

Plenty of us were championing a GK who was the best at goalkeeping to start for England, when he played for us. Quite why he's not good enough for us anymore (just because we don't need a GK in this **** poor league) is beyond me.

Muric is a fantastic passer of the ball. Next season we're going to need a goalkeeper.

Next season we are going to need a goalkeeper who can pass the ball….. or are you suggesting that we completely change the style of football …… and then of course we will then need to change the players ….

Pickles wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 13, 2023 9:33 pm

Anyone saying Pope must not have watched us much this season. Swap Muric for Pope and it's quite possible we wouldn't be top. He's that good, and that important.

Because i had nothing better to do tonight I watched Muric's contribution against PNE.
53 passes, only 3 with his hands, 1 hurried clearance, 49 accurate enough to be controlled by the recipient.
That is just amazing.

Rick_Muller wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 13, 2023 9:29 pm

For me, Ben Mee. He’s demonstrated at Brentford what he is capable of in a ball playing team

Yes, on second thoughts BM would be the one out of them I'd bring back.

Rick_Muller wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 13, 2023 9:29 pm

For me, Ben Mee. He’s demonstrated at Brentford what he is capable of in a ball playing team

Yes, this.

He showed enough as a coach on the touchline to make it clear that he could have a future there after his playing career ends too.

Dale stephens utc

thomaspaine wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 13, 2023 9:41 pm

Next season we are going to need a goalkeeper who can pass the ball….. or are you suggesting that we completely change the style of football …… and then of course we will then need to change the players ….

It amazes me how some people see football. Common sense goes out the window with some people.

VK is not going to turn into Sean Dyche.

We will pass the ball around like we have done. We have NO NEED to replace Muric.

a fit Cornet and Mee

alf_resco wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 13, 2023 9:15 pm

Pope, Tarks, Mee, Collins, McNeil, Cornet, Wood, Weghorst.
Right now, in this current team, who would you want back in the first XI ?

Id throw Westwood into that mix, but i still think id come up with the same answer , none of them maybe ben mee for one season but if we secure Breyer or THB , probably not even that,

What i think is interesting is how many would we have said if we had asked the same question in Oct / Nov of this season.

Does make you think

Pope is a much better keeper but Muric better suits this team. Just a shame we let Pope go for so much less than he’s worth.

But I’d have Tarko in any team.

Hopefully we will be sat 7 points clear at the top of the P.L. next year at this time.
But seriously, ball playing goalkeepers, forward surging center halves will be challenged somewhat more than this season.
I do think our midfield and forward lines will be OK, but not sure about our defence and keeper. We certainly will not have the same stranglehold on possession ,next season in the P.L. Hope I am proven wrong of course. Muric will be tested a hell of a lot more next season than this season, by a much more talented set of players.
That being said, Pope and Mee for me.

Rick_Muller wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 13, 2023 9:29 pm

For me, Ben Mee. He’s demonstrated at Brentford what he is capable of in a ball playing team

Much as I loved Ben Mee as a player/captain for us I really don't see how he would be an improvement on Beyer in our current set up.

Selby Claret wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 13, 2023 9:16 pm

An injury free Cornet

There isn’t such a thing

Cornet always capable of the spectacular but not composed enough with the ball to fit our system.

McNeil is the one who would be an asset as another fabulous option playing in a central midfield role.

Cornet and Sir Benjamin

ksrclaret wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 13, 2023 10:09 pm

Cornet always capable of the spectacular but not composed enough with the ball to fit our system.

McNeil is the one who would be an asset as another fabulous option playing in a central midfield role.

Take away Cornet’s spectacular goals and he didn’t offer that much. McNeil looks devoid of any confidence at Everton but clearly has the ability.

But to answer the OP, I’d definitely look at Pope & Mee. Tarky not looking too good just now and Collins making too many mistakes at Wolves as he did here.

Rick_Muller wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 13, 2023 9:29 pm

For me, Ben Mee. He’s demonstrated at Brentford what he is capable of in a ball playing team

Thats interesting. I haven't seen much of Brentford only highlights but I wondered how Ben was fitting in to their style of football. Of course he is a proven Premier League standard defender and Brentford would have had more defending to do than we have this season. I have thought that had we had him Tarks and Pope we would hardly have conceded a goal this season. But then again we haven't conceded many as it is and have scored a pan full!!

Ok. So people are calling Ben Mee. But he's a fighter. He's not someone to pass the ball around defence. He's nothing like what we want. You have Muric with Tarkowowski and Ben Mee? Come on. We'd be knackered. They aren't good enough.

Makes you wonder if Cornet was carrying an injury, his goals were spectacular but was he enjoying the style of play and under VK he'd have balls to feet.

Not Ben Mee, very slow in possession and always had to take an extra touch.

Part of me says Cornet because I think the lad is top class but unfortunately seems to have a really tricky injury that he can’t seem to shake.

Talking of players that we used to have a few years back - a prime Ings/Defour/Trippier would be the dogs ******** in this system

I'm in the just Cornet corner. As much as the others have done, I don't think they could replace any of the squad we now have.

People suggesting Pope and Mee are hankering for a return to the old days of 30% possession and the constant lumping upfield for Barnes and Wood, or simply can't have been watching this season. I can't think of another reason.

not a single one of them

fatboy47 wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 13, 2023 10:46 pm

People suggesting Pope and Mee are hankering for a return to the old days of 30% possession and the constant lumping upfield for Barnes and Wood, or simply can't have been watching this season. I can't think of another reason.

Can't we have Mee back for the bench?

No-one, you only want to add players who will integrate into the team and the dressing room. Plus, even though at the end of the season I would have said Pope, Tarks, Collins and Cornet, now I don't think any of them would improve us. Only interested in enjoying 'the now' and the future. I think we are going to surprise all the pundits who will more than likely tip us for relegation. I think we will finish top ten.

Pope Tarkowski Mee

Never look back !!

Having just watched Tarks put in a very decent defensive display, but play about 3 hospital passes, and Dwight Mc do nothing but run in to trouble, it’s hard to say. Neither of them I don’t think.

Mee no due to age. Cornet no due to injuries. Pope no due to distribution (it’s simply impossible to play this system well without that - as I think we find when BPF, another excellent keeper, plays). Collins I would, although he’s just been dropped and Wolves have looked more solid.

In summary I regard all (but Collins) legends forever, and will be very grateful for what they did for Burnley. But I wouldn’t swap any for our new lads who are not at their levels yet but most have higher ceilings, I’d say. I’m looking forward to seeing if they achieve that potential.

Think people are getting ahead of themselves now. The difference between the leagues is huge and I’m sure kompany would happily take back Collins, Tarks, cornet, weghorst and maybe wood and McNeil. Pope and Mee simply wouldn’t fit our current style of play.

Why do we think the players we brought in are valued lower and why is weghorst playing for Man Utd, Tarks for Everton etc. Yes it’s an interesting call but imagine if Man Utd were playing barnes or jay up top - truly ridiculous compared to WW. To say we wouldn’t have any of them is a bit ridiculous.