Starting 11

[clerkenwell.claret]

At this moment in time, with our current squad, who would be your starting 11? And the subs?

[CoolClaret]

Something like

4-2-3-1:

----------Trafford
Walker-Tuanzebe-Esteve-Hartman
---------Cullen-Laurent
Edwards-Hannibal-Anthony
---------Flemming

Or 3-4-2-1:

---------Trafford
----Tuanzebe-Esteve-Humphreys
Walker--Cullen-Laurent---Hartman
----Hannibal----Anthony
--------Flemming

Subs:

Weiß
Roberts
Humphreys/Pires
Worrall
Ramsey
Tchaouna
Amdouni
JBL
Foster

Maybe even Flemming and Amdouni as the two '10s' in the 3 at the back formation, but then we'd need a new striker leading the line...

We're desperately short of midfield options.

[Funkydrummer]

Anybodies guess really at the moment.

So many combinations/choices.

Very hard to call.

I'll wait a bit before showing my hand.

[LincsWoldsClaret]

-I’ll play -

---------Trafford
Walker-Worrall-Esteve-Humphries
---------Cullen-Laurent
Edwards-Hannibal-Anthony
---------Flemming

[wadeswondergoal]

Something like

4-2-3-1:

----------Trafford
Walker-Tuanzebe-Esteve-Hartman
---------Cullen-Laurent
Edwards-Hannibal-Anthony
---------Flemming

Or 3-4-2-1:

---------Trafford
----Tuanzebe-Esteve-Humphreys
Walker--Cullen-Laurent---Hartman
----Hannibal----Anthony
--------Flemming

Subs:

Weiß
Roberts
Humphreys/Pires
Worrall
Ramsey
Tchaouna
Amdouni
JBL
Foster

Maybe even Flemming and Amdouni as the two '10s' in the 3 at the back formation, but then we'd need a new striker leading the line...

We're desperately short of midfield options.

You must despise Edwards you’ve left him out entirely of your second team

[Vino blanco]

If we start the PL campaign with Laurent in midfield and a front three of Edwards, Flemming and Anthony, we we struggle from game one.

[billyhamilton82]

4-2-3-1:

----------Trafford
Walker-Tuanzebe-Esteve-Hartman
---------Cullen-Hannibal
Edwards- JBL -Anthony
---------Flemming


Weiß
Roberts/Pires
Humphreys
Ramsey
Tchaouna
Amdouni
Laurent
Foster
Koleosho

As far a I can understand, because of the the squad flexibilty we only need Humphreys and a LB/RB on the bench because Tuanzebe can cover at RB, Walkker can cover at RCB and Humphreys can cover LCB and LB and RCB/RB if required.

This gives us the option of having an extra forward player on the bench.

[ksrclaret]

So, so difficult to call with so many players on the books.

Right now I'd go with:

Trafford
Walker - Tuanzebe - Esteve - Hartman
Cullen - Laurent
JBL - Hannibal - Anthony
Flemming

[kaptin1]

Wonder what Roberts is thinking having signed a contract extension only to then see us sign Walker and Tuanzebe who can both play in his position?

[BleedingClaret]

Anybodies guess really at the moment.

So many combinations/choices.

Very hard to call.

I'll wait a bit before showing my hand.

Agreed

[BleedingClaret]

We've a lack of an attacking threat if we pick a team with solider defensive players like Laurent before Hannibal but even then is the more attacking option a direct goal threat.
We need an out and out centre forward in the Vardy mould.
It really is a hard team to pick at present, hard to pick a defensively strong team that has enough attacking threat, hard to pick an attacking team that doesn't look a little lightweight.
But maybe that's also a good thing, in that we look like we have the options and that also covers injuries to some degree too

[BleedingClaret]

Something like

4-2-3-1:

----------Trafford
Walker-Tuanzebe-Esteve-Hartman
---------Cullen-Laurent
Edwards-Hannibal-Anthony
---------Flemming

Or 3-4-2-1:

---------Trafford
----Tuanzebe-Esteve-Humphreys
Walker--Cullen-Laurent---Hartman
----Hannibal----Anthony
--------Flemming

Subs:


Weiß
Roberts
Humphreys/Pires
Worrall
Ramsey
Tchaouna
Amdouni
JBL
Foster

Maybe even Flemming and Amdouni as the two '10s' in the 3 at the back formation, but then we'd need a new striker leading the line...

We're desperately short of midfield options.

I've always thought if you play a back 3 with 2 attacking players that you can trust to drop into a 5 defensively but are good enough attacking, it can work if you basically pick 5 defenders and the outer 2 aren't really attacking players then you just get pegged back
As you say a proper Centre Forward is ideal for this as you free a player from a back 4
But like i say if it's really a back 5, I'd rather go 442 or 451

[Newcastleclaret93]

4-2-3-1:

----------Trafford
Walker-Tuanzebe-Esteve-Hartman
---------Cullen-Hannibal
Edwards- JBL -Anthony
---------Flemming


Weiß
Roberts/Pires
Humphreys
Ramsey
Tchaouna
Amdouni
Laurent
Foster
Koleosho

As far a I can understand, because of the the squad flexibilty we only need Humphreys and a LB/RB on the bench because Tuanzebe can cover at RB, Walkker can cover at RCB and Humphreys can cover LCB and LB and RCB/RB if required.

This gives us the option of having an extra forward player on the bench.

I think this is as close to the starting eleven as anyone can predict. Except Laurent for JBL (move Hannibal up)

Il be surprised if we venture much further from this.

[Newcastleclaret93]

-I’ll play -

---------Trafford
Walker-Worrall-Esteve-Humphries
---------Cullen-Laurent
Edwards-Hannibal-Anthony
---------Flemming

I think Parker will to

[CoolClaret]

I've always thought if you play a back 3 with 2 attacking players that you can trust to drop into a 5 defensively but are good enough attacking, it can work if you basically pick 5 defenders and the outer 2 aren't really attacking players then you just get pegged back
As you say a proper Centre Forward is ideal for this as you free a player from a back 4
But like i say if it's really a back 5, I'd rather go 442 or 451

Yeah that can happen - there are many variations of it and adjustments that can be made (wide cbs or wingbacks coming into midfield, varying players rotating out wide etc)

All depends on if you're controlling midfield as well, lose that and you'll get pegged back no matter what.

My preferred formation is a variation of 4-4-2/4-2-3-1 as well, but we do have the personnel to play three at the back. I'd be interested to see Flemming and Amdouni/Ramsey/Brownhill (please sign) playing there centrally off a proper number 9.

[BleedingClaret]

----------------------Trafford ------------------------
------------Walker - Esteve - Hartman------------
JBL ---- Hannibal - Cullen - Laurent - Anthony
-------------------- Flemming -----------------------

38 x 0.0's keeps us up!

Is it 9 Subs - from this list
Weiss GK
Roberts RB - in a back 4 or as a wing back in a 5 more defensive than a 3
Tuanzebe CB RB - Can play in an attack minded 3 with a true winger tracking back or transition to a 4
Humphreys CB LB - Can play in an attack minded 3 with a true winger tracking back or transition to a 4
Pires LB - in a back 4 or as a wing back in a 5 more defensive than a 3
Ramsey CM or 10
Edwards Winger
Koleosho Winger
Tachouna Winger
Amdouni 10
Foster 9 or 10

We are clearly Short of an out & out No 9 Vardy-esque and a dominate CM - Berge-esque

[BleedingClaret]

Yeah that can happen - there are many variations of it and adjustments that can be made (wide cbs or wingbacks coming into midfield, varying players rotating out wide etc)

All depends on if you're controlling midfield as well, lose that and you'll get pegged back no matter what.

My preferred formation is a variation of 4-4-2/4-2-3-1 as well, but we do have the personnel to play three at the back. I'd be interested to see Flemming and Amdouni/Ramsey/Brownhill (please sign) playing there centrally off a proper number 9.

Always liked 442 but that needs either Amdouni or Foster (or both together) to come good to pair with Flemming as the 9 to Flemming's 10
4231 Needs an out and out No 9 - Can't play it IMO if you're playing Flemming isolated, We played Wood & Barnes in a 442, 1 of those in a 4231 is just run into the ground

[billyhamilton82]

I honestly can't see Laurent starting games in the PL.

We are stacked in the 10 position and Hannibal will always get in before Laurent.

[Newcastleclaret93]

I honestly can't see Laurent starting games in the PL.

We are stacked in the 10 position and Hannibal will always get in before Laurent.

Laurent doesn’t play in the 10 position

[morninbob]

Trafford

Walker humphries esteve
Anthony Cullen Hannibal Hartman
Amdouni Edwards
Foster

Subs
Keeper
Roberts
Tuanzebe
Laurant
Tchouana
JBL
Ramsay
Tresor
Flemming

[willsclarets]

The signing of laurent for 500k was a masterstroke in the Championship. But the thought of him starting with Cullen (who is very stretched as a prem midfielder himself) in centre midfield is a tad terrifying.

[Boss Hogg]

4-2-3-1:

----------Trafford
Walker-Tuanzebe-Esteve-Hartman
---------Cullen-Hannibal
Edwards- JBL -Anthony
---------Flemming


Weiß
Roberts/Pires
Humphreys
Ramsey
Tchaouna
Amdouni
Laurent
Foster
Koleosho

As far a I can understand, because of the the squad flexibilty we only need Humphreys and a LB/RB on the bench because Tuanzebe can cover at RB, Walkker can cover at RCB and Humphreys can cover LCB and LB and RCB/RB if required.

This gives us the option of having an extra forward player on the bench.

The team above for me as it stands.

[BleedingClaret]

----------------------Trafford ------------------------
------------Walker - Esteve - Hartman------------
JBL ---- Hannibal - Cullen - Laurent - Anthony
-------------------- Flemming ----------------------
--------------------- Foster --------------------------

Need to learn to count, my excuse, interrupted by the missus, her fault
whole idea of my back 3 was to get 2 up top, a 9 & a 10

[Mattster]

Trafford
Tuanzebe Worrall Esteve
Walker Cullen Laurent Hartman
Edwards Amdouni
Foster

With what we have we'd have to start Laurent in midfield, any pair that didn't include him would be completely overrun because it'd be too lightweight. Gone for Foster over Flemming because would lack pace otherwise.

But hope we sign at least one big, athletic midfielder to take place of Laurent. And a dominant centre back to take the place of Worrall.

[billyhamilton82]

Laurent doesn’t play in the 10 position

No, but Hannibal does and has been.

Personally I would play Hannibal in DM and bring in another number10 before Laurent starting a PL game.

Nothing against Laurent but Hannibal is much more mobile and quicker which will be required at this level.

Laurent comes on with 15-20 to go to shore it up.

[1914tyrone]

Trafford
Walker Tuanzebe Esteve Hartman
Cullen Hannibal
Amdoumi
Tchuoana Flemming Anthony

[Nonayforever]

Trafford
Walker Tuanzebe Esteve Humphreys
Cullen Hannibal Laurent
Anthony Fleming JBL

I'm quietly confident that we will stay up this time round.

[Scott Arfield's Swag]

GK - Trafford

RCB - Walker
CB - Esteve
LCB - Humphries

RWB - Roberts
LWB - Hartmann

CM - Cullen
CM - Hannibal

RF - Edwards
CF - Flemming
LF - Anthony

[willsclarets]

I don't know whether it's an issue of trust or playing style, but for whatever reason Parker didn't like Hannibal in that spot next to Cullen. I agree with others he'd be good in there, but it's hard to see Parker going with it given he was reluctant in the championship.

[CyrilEbokiPoh]

GK - Trafford

RCB - Walker
CB - Esteve
LCB - Humphries

RWB - Roberts
LWB - Hartmann

CM - Cullen
CM - Hannibal

RF - Edwards
CF - Flemming
LF - Anthony

This is the team we would / should play if we started tomorrow.