Assuming players are fit to play.. this is what I would be starting with. Obviously a reason why Collins isn’t but not sure what the reason is… ………………..Roberts…………… …Lopata…….De Giv…..Mccart (if fit) Williams………………….………..Cadden.. …….Kane…....Connell…….Phillips… ………..Cole………….Mcatee…….. Surely Lopata should be back in team. Was our best defender before his injury.. unless he’s not the player he was. But given the errors at the back recently then surely deserves a go. Not sure how long Mccart is out for so may have to re-think that position. Williams needs to be back in his best position wing back. Still a few weeks until we will probably see Big Don in the team. Styles looking likely to leave and was playing with his head turned. But Styles at his best would be in the team over Phillips for me. But he’s not at his best.
I think if we’re going with everyone being fit and healthy then Pines had to be the middle centre back with Mael on the right side of the 3. I quite liked Lopata before his injury, he certainly seems the most aggressive and brave of the defenders but he’s too slow. A back 3 of Lopata, MDG and McCart would be far too slow. Rest of the team seems spot on.
A back 3 with no pace doesn’t work for me. I’d much rather give Pines a go with De Gevigney & McCart when fit & ready
Swap lopata for pines (when fit) and I've the same team very strong 11, I know pines is all presumptions at present but the sheer size of the guy alone will give us something different
Yes I agree with Pines to come in. Just know he’s a few week off. I’m really not sure how far McCart is off that’s only reason he’s in. But purely on defensive duties Lopata needs to be there over Williams or Shepherd.
………………..Roberts…………… …Pines…….De Giv…..Mccart Williams………………….………..Cadden.. …….McAtee…....Connell…….Kane… ………..Cole…………. Cosgrove……..
Can you imagine a side next season without....Roberts, McCart, Williams, Cadden, Styles, Kane, McAtee and Cole. Grim.
Why change Maels position when hes so good at it? Some of his passes were fantastic, running into midfield etc
My 11 would be Roberts, Williams, Pines, MDG, McCart, Cadden, Kane, Connell, Phillips, McAtee, Cole. That could be 352 or 4231 with McCart at left back and Cadden on the left of the three. Would be tempted to have two holding midfielders to offer more protection and reduce the dependency on Connell.
I would agree, he has been good in the middle. Can just personally see Pines in the middle as he is the biggest of the lot, by some margin. Last season we had Kitching running into midfield from left centre back, no reason why Mael can’t do it from the right side.
Surely its worth sticking pines in Williams position first though mate, and Williams rwb. And if it doesn't work then try swapping things around. I really think Mael has been brilliant in the middle of that back 3