With just over a week to go.

What do you think our line up will be?

I’m going

Trafford
Roberts, Ekdal, Beyer, Taylor
Cullen (if fit), Brownhill,
JBG, Amdouni, Foster, Zaroury

——————-Muric
Roberts-Ekdal-Beyer-Taylor
——Cullen—-Brownhill
-Andros——————Zaroury
———Weghorst—Foster

Have to see who else we get in and our XI against Mainz this weekend

CoolClaret wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 01, 2023 1:27 pm

——————-Muric
Roberts-Ekdal-Beyer-Taylor
——Cullen—-Brownhill
-Andros——————Zaroury
———Weghorst—Foster

Have to see who else we get in and our XI against Mainz this weekend

I assume Mainz will be as close to our starting possible as it can be

GK: Trafford

DR: Roberts
DC: Beyer
DC: O'Shea
DL: Taylor

DM: Cullen
DM: Brownhill

AMR: Redmond
AMC: Twine
AML: Zaroury

ST: Amdouni

Does anyone know what’s wrong with Benson?

Muric

AD Beyer Ekdal
Roberts Taylor
Cullen Brownhill
Townsend Zaroury
Foster / Amdouni

Muric
Roberts Ekdal Beyer Taylor
Brownhill Cullen JBG
Twine Zaroury
Foster

-----------------Muric

Roberts-Ekdal-Beyer-Taylor

—-—Cullen—-Brownhill

Townsend--Zaroury--Redmond

--------------------Tella ( )

Assuming Townsend has signed:

—————————-Muric
—O’Shea—Ekdal——-Beyer—-Al-Dakhil
——————-Cullen—Brownhill
—-Townsend——Twine———Zaroury
———————-——Foster

Ampth7 wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 01, 2023 1:33 pm

Does anyone know what’s wrong with Benson?

He's just ****** off as it turns out that esmee brugts can not only copy his "cut inside and then let one curl into the top corner from outside the box", trick, but she can do it twice in one game.

See highlights of nederlands v Vietnam earlier today.

Play them all!

Mainz will give us a clearer picture but since you asked

———————————-Muric——————————
Roberts ——O’Shea ——— Beyer— Al-Dakhil
———————————-Cullen————————
Townsend*— Brownhill——JBG———Zaroury
————————————Foster——————————

*if signed

Think Vinny goes with the guys who fully know the system, pressing structures and roles to start with. Al-Dakhil at left back out of possession / defensive midfield in possession is something we saw at Betis last week so it will be interesting to see if it’s tried again this weekend. City’s wide men generally cut inside so having a right footer at left back might not be a bad idea.

timshorts wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 01, 2023 2:01 pm

He's just ****** off as it turns out that esmee brugts can not only copy his "cut inside and then let one curl into the top corner from outside the box", trick, but she can do it twice in one game.

See highlights of nederlands v Vietnam earlier today.

Okay cool! Thanks for clarifying

Muric
Beyer
Townsend Redmond JBG Benson Zaroury Koleosho Foster
Amdouni Weghorst

Muric
Roberts AlDaklil Beyer Taylor
Cullen JBG
Townsend Twine Zaroury
Foster

The only change being O'Shea for Taylor if VK wants to be a bit more adventurous.

Muric
Roberts Beyer Ekdal Vitinho
Cullen Brownhill
Townsend Twine Zaroury
Rodriguez

Twine may be replaced by JBG or Redmond.

This thread is quite a reality check.

Their general consensus seems to be foster will be starting up top.

Might need to add him to my FPL team.

forzagranata wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 01, 2023 3:13 pm

This thread is quite a reality check.

Yep. I don’t think we’ve done enough to strengthen the starting 11 YET. Hopefully that will be addressed before Villa.

I’d prefer it if we had someone else better next to Cullen and Brownhill further up the pitch. This was the main area that needed strengthening in this window imo.

As much as I enjoy our business this summer, it does make you stop and realise that (essentially) we are weaker from a first eleven perspective due to the loss of Maatsen and Tella. I think that is just a fact when you look at it on paper. It's worth saying that we'd look a whole lot better if we had Benson and Redmond fit and Amdouni/Weghorst up to speed.

It also makes me pause for thought and slight concern at the business we are doing seemingly prioritising areas of the pitch where we are quite well stocked ahead of central midfield and left back. The hope obviously is that we get some 'out of the blue' signings ala Amdouni, as we do certainly need them.

....................................Trafford..........................

.................Ekdal............Beyer............Al Dakhil...........

.......Roberts.....................Cullen ................Taylor .....

..................Townsend.......................JBG..................

.....................Weghorst..............Amdouni.................

jedi_master wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 01, 2023 3:30 pm

As much as I enjoy our business this summer, it does make you stop and realise that (essentially) we are weaker from a first eleven perspective due to the loss of Maatsen and Tella. I think that is just a fact when you look at it on paper. It's worth saying that we'd look a whole lot better if we had Benson and Redmond fit and Amdouni/Weghorst up to speed.

It also makes me pause for thought and slight concern at the business we are doing seemingly prioritising areas of the pitch where we are quite well stocked ahead of central midfield and left back. The hope obviously is that we get some 'out of the blue' signings ala Amdouni, as we do certainly need them.

How do we know not having Tella weakens us? Townsend has spent his career at this level, which Tella wasn’t successful at last time. I would also suggest Foster/Amdouni/Weghorst is an upgrade on Barnes. Left back you might be right, although arguably having Al-Dakhil/Taylor there vs City strengthens us defensively. So, not sure I buy into the weaker starting 11 thing but I do agree a new left back and centre mid is absolutely required.

I wouldn’t say we are weaker. I think we haven’t strengthened the areas that need it the most so far.

Cm and LB, then that team suddenly looks a whole lot better

RVclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 01, 2023 3:40 pm

How do we know not having Tella weakens us? Townsend has spent his career at this level, which Tella wasn’t successful at last time. I would also suggest Foster/Amdouni/Weghorst is an upgrade on Barnes. Left back you might be right, although arguably having Al-Dakhil/Taylor there vs City strengthens us defensively. So, not sure I buy into the weaker starting 11 thing but I do agree a new left back and centre mid is absolutely required.

I'd agree with the striker options being stronger than Barnes, but disagree on Tella (though I think we are diametrically opposed on him in the PL, which is fine ). Townsend has looked really good in the friendlies and definitely has the experience, but I just cannot see a 32 year old who has been injured for 16 months as making the level of impact Tella did for us - granted, in a league lower. I am glad we are signing him though and he has earned that chance, for sure, based on the friendlies. Like I mentioned, if we had Benny and Redmond available to pick then we would immediately look much stronger in those forward areas but we are where we are as they must be injured.

The problem for me is the same as most I would suggest, central midfield and left back. I am hopeful we are sorting those (and, frankly, there is far less pressure on being in perfect shape squad wise for the 11th in my opinion - defeatist attitude perhaps) but the continued links with wingers and seeing Lokonga as 'not a priority' surprises me. As I say, hopefully the club has some out of the blue announcements to come in these areas.

I would hope we have (at least longer term)

Trafford
Roberts Beyer o’shea New
Cullen New
Benson Brownhill Zaroury
Amdouni

For city I expect we might see
Muric
Roberts Beyer Al Dakhil Taylor
Cullen Brownhill
Redmond JBG Zaroury
Foster

Iloveyoubrady wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 01, 2023 3:55 pm

I would hope we have (at least longer term)

Trafford
Roberts Beyer Al Dakhil New
Cullen New
Benson Brownhill Zaroury
Amdouni

For city I expect we might see
Muric
Roberts Beyer Al Dakhil Taylor
Cullen Brownhill
Redmond JBG Zaroury
Foster

For the longer term I think we will look something like

Trafford
Roberts, Al Dakhil, Beyer, New
Cullen, Lokonga
Benson, Amdouni, Zaroury
Foster

Newcastleclaret93 wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 01, 2023 3:58 pm

For the longer term I think we will look something like

Trafford
Roberts, Al Dakhil, Beyer, New
Cullen, Lokonga
Benson, Amdouni, Zaroury
Foster

Yes and I like that 11 and think it will do pretty well in over the season, but I expect brownhill to play a lot of games either as the 10 or one of the central midfielders.

You might be right about amdouni playing behind the striker but I thought we’d bring him in to play up front and drop in to supply our wingers.
Either way we are a solid centre midfielder and a left back away from a very competitive looking squad.

Iloveyoubrady wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 01, 2023 4:02 pm

Yes and I like that 11 and think it will do pretty well in over the season, but I expect brownhill to play a lot of games either as the 10 or one of the central midfielders.

You might be right about amdouni playing behind the striker but I thought we’d bring him in to play up front and drop in to supply our wingers.
Either way we are a solid centre midfielder and a left back away from a very competitive looking squad.

I suspect that middle through will heavily rotate with the likes of the Brownhill, Koleahsi, Townsend etc…

If everyone was fit, I'd go with:

-------------Muric
Roberts Ekdal Beyer Taylor/Al Dakhil (bit of a gamble out of position)
---------Cullen Brownhill
Benson-----Amdouni----Zaroury
-------------Weghorst

Subs:
Trafford
Foster (aim to bring on for Weghorst at 60-70m)
Redmond (as above for Benson)
JBG (aim to bring on 70-80min for any of Zaroury, Amdouni, Brownhill)
O'Shea
Taylor/Al Dakhil (whoever didn't start)
Koleosho
2 out of Bruun Larsen/Vitinho/Cork/Townsend (Would like to see what Bruun Larsen can do but not vital)





What I think the team will be, since no sign of Benson as yet:
----------Trafford
Roberts O'Shea Beyer Al Dakhil
---------Cullen Brownhill
Townsend--Amdouni---Zaroury
--------Foster

Subs:
Muric
Taylor
Cork
Redmond
JBG
Rodriguez
3 out of: Vitinho, Koleosho, Ekdal, Bruun Larsen

Muric
Roberts O'Shea beyer Al dakhil
Cullen brownhill
Townsend twine Redmond
Foster

Muric
RB
Roberts
Vitinho
CB
O'Shea beyer Al dakhil Ekdal
LB
Taylor Dogdgson
CM
Cullen
Striker
Foster

Assuming no other signings and Benson/Cullen are available/here:

Muric

Roberts
Al Dakhil
Beyer
Vitinho

Cullen
Cork

Brownhill

Townsend
Foster
Zaroury

Just for Citeh

……….…………..Muric………………….
O’Shea .. Ekdal.. Beyer… Taylor
…………………. Al Dakeel …………….
……. Brownhill ,,, ….Cullen………….
Amdouni…… Foster ………Koleoshi

Muric
Roberts
Al Dakhil
Beyer
Taylor
Cullen
Brownhill
Andoumi
Townsend
Foster
Zaroury

Trafford
Al-Dakhil Ekdal Beyer Taylor
Cullen
Brownhill Twine
Townsend Foster Zaroury

Muric.

Muric Roberts O’Shea Beyer Al Dakhil Cullen Brownhill Lokonga JBG Foster Zaroury

Forgot we were playing City so I will go

Trafford.Muric

Roberts O’Shea Beyer Ekdal Al Dakhil Taylor

Cullen Brownhill

Foster

Muric
Roberts - Al Dakhil - Beyer - Taylor
JBG - Brownhill - Cullen - Twine - Zaroury
Foster

I think is most likely.

RVclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 01, 2023 2:04 pm

Mainz will give us a clearer picture but since you asked

———————————-Muric——————————
Roberts ——O’Shea ——— Beyer— Al-Dakhil
———————————-Cullen————————
Townsend*— Brownhill——JBG———Zaroury
————————————Foster——————————

*if signed

Exactly the team and setup I'd go for. Mainz could change all that though. We're still to see Jacob Bruun Larsen and Redmond kick a ball for us, Amdouini could click as a 10 against Mainz which might put JBG under pressure, O'Shea might play a stinker and lose his place to the ever reliable Ekdal (no suggestions so far that he will, he's looked very solid, but point is anything could happen against Mainz that changes everything). For me O'Shea being competent at RB makes him the better pick over Ekdal to cover that space on the field when we become a back 3 in possession. I just really hope Cullen is fit. His the only position on the pitch/role in the team where we completely lack any kind of cover that comes close to him. All the other stand out performers last season have someone waiting to take their shirt if they drop off, Cullen not so much. It's a stark drop off in quality if Cork (still useful, but doesn't have Cullen's legs over a season) or Brownhill (just not a natural CDM) need to take up Cullen's role in his absence.

Spiral wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 02, 2023 1:16 am

It's a stark drop off in quality if Cork (still useful, but doesn't have Cullen's legs over a season) or Brownhill (just not a natural CDM) need to take up Cullen's role in his absence.

Ain't that the truth. I fear if we don't see Benson or Cullen at the weekend we wont see them against City

It's funny to think we could go full-on negative 5-3-2 land of the giants at the back and put out a back five of O'Shea/Ekdal/Beyer/Al-Dakhil/Taylor without looking like we're tapping into the defensive reserves to do it, and you'd still have Roberts sat on the bench. This is the strongest quality squad depth in defence I think I've ever seen at Burnley.

Spiral wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 02, 2023 1:25 am

It's funny to think we could go full-on negative 5-3-2 land of the giants at the back and put out a back five of O'Shea/Ekdal/Beyer/Al-Dakhil/Taylor without looking like we're tapping into the defensive reserves to do it, and you'd still have Roberts sat on the bench. This is the strongest quality squad depth in defence I think I've ever seen at Burnley.

Totally agree. There aint half some strength in depth there

Assuming that their are going to be a couple of strong additions given all the speculation, if we can get a tune out of a good chunk of them then it is going to be very interesting.

I am expecting 3/4 more departures yet though.

Muric /Trafford (either or)

Roberts
Al Dakhil
Beyer
Vitinho

Cullen
Cork

Brownhill

Townsend
Amdouni
Zaroury

Muric,
O'Shea, Ekdal, Beyer, Al-Dakhil,
Roberts, Brownhill,
Townsend, Amdouni, Zaroury,
Foster. (Weghorst)

Muric
Roberts
Taylor
Beyer
Al Dakhill
Cullen
Brownhill ( capt )
Zaroury
Benson
Foster
Cork

Based on injuries and pre season team again city could be
Muric
Roberts
Al-dakhil
Taylor
Cork
Brownhill
JBG
Vitinho
Zaroury
Foster

Subs
Trafford
O’Shea
Ekdal
Taylor
Twine
Amdouni
Townsend
Jay rod
Weghorst

Muric

Roberts Beyer AlDakhill Taylor
Cullen Brownhill
Zarourry Amoudin Townsend
Foster

From our current squad only..

Muric

Roberts Dakhill Bayer Taylor

Cullen Brownhill

Redmound Amdouni Zaroury

Forster

I’d like to see a new left back and CM come in before the window closes at the end of the month. I can see Larsen replacing Zaroury pretty quickly in the side if his form doesn’t pick up soon. I also think Twine will play a major part in the first team too.

Our strength and depth at CB is almost baffling, I really rate them all very highly. It’ll be interesting to see how we keep them all happy.

Ampth7 wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 01, 2023 1:33 pm

Does anyone know what’s wrong with Benson?

We don't get any injury information now - he's around but not featuring, Cullen hasn't played in the last two and we haven't seen Redmond yet.