Going to be tough to keep everyone happy now, we've lost 4 first team players but potentially gained 12. I think when Mowatt and McGeehan joined they expected to be straight into the first team (maybe a bit of a "team like Barnsley" mindset exists in players too....)? It took a year for them to settle back in after loan spells, I don't think Moncur ever made the connection and never got over not being the top dog he thought he was. Who do we see as nailed on starters currently? Do we think some of the first team squad might go out on loan depending on how things shake out between now and the next window?
Think the spine of the team are nailed starters: Radlinger Diaby Andersen McGeehan Mowatt Bahre Woodrow Then RB / LB / RW / LW are all up for grabs. Cavare, Wilks, Sibbick and Thomas really staked a claim against Fulham but will have J.Williams, Oduor, Pinillos, Chaplin, Schmidt, Brown and Thiam all chomping at the bit to get in the squad. Could see Ben Williams and Jordan Green going out on loan to get some experience in League One. Exciting times.
There might be an issue if two of Bambo/Mads/Halme make themselves first choice, like Pinnock/Lindsay. The one ending up as Jackson might not be best pleased. I'm also not sure how Woodrow/Chaplin/Schmidt are going to be balanced, heard Schmidt played out wide as well, but if we play most games with one out and out forward then I'd expect that to be Woodrow. But on the whole I think they'll manage them well.
Apart from last saturdays 11 I'd expect Jacob B and Kenny to push for places. Callum Styles would be one I'd like to see a bit more of, perhaps in the Carabao? Jury's out on Pinillos for me. Hope the new lads stake a claim too.
Would imagine the 2 centre backs, 2 central midfielders & Woodrow are the pretty much guaranteed starters. Bahre to also start most games but I can see some games where he’ll be sacrificed for Dougall & we go 4-3-3 rather than 4-2-3-1. Radlinger looked good but I doubt he’s done enough to be a clear number one yet. The wide spots & full back area’s look up for grabs but you have to imagine Wilks & Thomas have done enough to remain starters for the first few games. Good thing for Chaplin, Brown, Thiam, Schmidt etc is that there’s a league cup game & more opportunities off the bench than defensive players get to impress the manager & break into the team.
Top headache to have. You could make a case for Jordan Williams at right back. I see Sibbick becoming more of a centre back. Halme won't be content warming the bench either. You'd have thought Pinillos will play when fit. The midfield is the area that excites me the most. I can see Styles pushing for a start soon with injuries suspension and loss of form key variables. I don't think Mcgeehan and Mowatt are the automatic shoe-ins they were last season otherwise one of them would be captain instead of Bahre. I like Bahre alot as a player and think he makes things tick. However, I hope he isn't captain just to legislate being picked no matter what because he blew hot and cold last season. Up front Schmidt has to be competition for Woodrow. Chaplin and Thiam don't look like they'll be content sitting on the bench all season either. Another possible 11 could quite easily be: Collins J.Williams Sibbick Halme Pinillos Styles Dougall Bahre Chaplin Schmidt Thiam Then there's Brown and Miller but I can't see them featuring that much. It's going to be hard for anybody to oust last weeks 11 after the performance they put up against Fulham.
Well for me the game on Saturday is easy - same first 11 that started against Fulham - the bench is where it gets tricker first
You have named a player there that I don’t think will be in the first 11 towards the end of the season. Mowatt. Too many passes that go astray. Too many shots that don’t hit the target.
Green, both Williams, Pinnilos, Brown, Styles, Miller Walton are all going to struggle to get much game time or even make the match day squad this season, you can see the subs bench containing Collins, Dougal, Oduor, Schmidt, Halme, Chaplin, Thiam with the same starting line up as against Fulham for a while. Tough decisions for Daniel but i had high hopes for Brown and Styles this year.
That description is McGeehan rather than Mowatt for me. I’ve not got any stats but I’d be amazed if McGeehan keeps the ball better than Mowatt. Don’t think either will be dropped anytime soon
I expect Brown to get a lot of playing time this season. It's a squad game, and he proved himself a vital part of that squad last season. I'm sure once his injury clears up he'll be back in the picture. It's not like he's been dropped or is out of favour. As for Styles - I reckon we'll see quite a few substitute appearances, as I reckon he'll be bedded in so he's ready to become a regular starter next season once McGeehan or Mowatt are cashed in on.
I hope so but looking at the subs bench ive picked who drops out of that to fit in styles and brown is it Dougal and Thiam. A big squad does create its own problems. With injuries, suspnsions, cup games and general rotation they should get some time but not sure if itll be enough and i hope we keep a settled team without too many changes week in and out as that is important aswell.
