[bluepooch]

I know there's limited evidence to go on but already I am struggling to select a starting team as there does seem to be plenty of competition for places already.
This would be mine but its likely to change before the season starts;
Anyon
Wiseman
Evatt
Maguire
Barry
Rowley
Sinnott
Donohue
Binnon Williams
Ugwu
O Grady

That leaves subs as;
McCourt
German
Dennis
Dimaio
Hird
Lee
Mcginn

I cant even find a place on the bench for Brewster,Mitchell and Simons but like I said things will probably change .

I always judge a team by the strength of the bench and I have to say that bench looks pretty strong.

[Dancingwilldoit]

Glad your not picking the team Blue. Rowley did nothing against Sheff FC, didn't get rave reviews against Matlock and didnt play against Buxton. Hird on the bench? At least he can play in midfield and be strong against lge 2 players, Rowley needs easing in gently if he is still with us at the start of the season.
Rowley Sinnott and Donoghue does nothing for me as a midfield. Agree about leaving Mitchel out though.

[bluepooch]

well i did say it was subject to change .to be fair i thought the midfield was lightweight but seeing as i havent seen mccourt i couldnt put him in .Dont understand how you dont rate Rowley though .

[Dancingwilldoit]

Not said I don't rate him, but to be fair there wasn't much to compare him with last season, the other dross made him look a world beater. He is slight in stature and good on the ball. He isn't a tackler and Lge2 isn't very forgiving. I would rather see him used towards the end of games until he finds his feet and learns how to deal with the physical side of the game at this level first.
If rumours are to be believed he might not be here much longer.

[bluepooch]

We do need a tackler in there and it seems McCourt is that type of player.Sinnott is no tackler .
Come on Dancing you must be feeling a little bit of optimism based on the signings and the early results .

[Devongone]

My biggest criticism of the Blue team would be that if Lee is fit enough for the bench then he should be between the sticks. Anyon, unless he's been taking Neuer-implants close season and Hart-tablets, is weaker than Tommy in every aspect of the game. BUT I wouldn't play Tommy until I knew he was 100% fit, and I would certainly not trust the player's own judgement in this regard!

Lee

McGinn
Hird
Smith

Mitchell
McCourt
Dimaio
Simons

Dennis

Brewster
German

Well I'm not saying my team's better, but I bet we'd score 2 against you.

[bluepooch]

So there is no starting place for our highest paid player ever Dev ?

[spireitematt]

My team would be:

Lee (if fit) if not would be Anyon

Binnom-Williams
Hird
Wiseman
McGinn

Rowley
Dimaio
McCourt

German
Dennis
O'Grady

[Devongone]

Pooch, my team has to play against yours ......... yours has our highest-paid player ever in it. I know he's good, but even Ronaldo doesn't play for both teams at once. I just picked eleven from the players who aren't in your first eleven.

But to answer your implied question, CO'G wouldn't get in on wages alone ....... otherwise I'd be wanting SEB back! CO'G would be in my team if we were better up front with him there. If Ugwu, Dennis, and German were doing better than him ...... sorry mate your expensive bottom is on that bench. And in three easy friendlies we have scored more goals than we'd need (and done it without Co'G). Similarly if Tommy NO LONGER is better than Anyon he wouldn't get in.

Really though I was just pointing out a completely different eleven would give Poochteam trouble. Wiseman, Evatt, Barry and the lack of midfield knowhow and tackling in your choice are potential weaknesses to me. I think Ricky, Dennis and Mitchell out wide would stretch your defence and Dimaio and McCourt might well dominate possession in midfield. My defence is weak, so you'd score, but equally McGinn and Hird might provide better ball from the back than your men, so that would help my boys in the possession stakes.

---

I'd be happy to play Matt with:-

Anyon

Barry
Evatt
Maguire
Smith

Sinnott
Donohue
Mitchell

Brewster
Ugwu
Simons

I think we'd lose out in midfield, but Gozie would be too much for a centre back combo of Hird and Wiseman. I think my defence would be flat out to hold Matt's forwards of Ricky Dennis and CO'G - I think we'd have to score three to win!

[Dancingwilldoit]

4-3-3 isn't GC's format. All the friendlies have been 3-5-2. That rules out 3 forwards.