Whats your starting XI? 13/14

[Red Dog]

De Vries

Lichaj/Jara Reyes
Halford
Hobbs
Cohen ©

Guediora
Lansbury
Reid
Abdoun
Majewski/Patterson

Cox (or Blackstock/Mackie/Derbyshire/Tudgay/Henderson/Miller…..think that’s it for strikers!)

[Bennedy]

Cech

Ivanovic
Terry
Luiz
Cole

Lampard/Essien
Oscar

Hazard
Mata
De Bruyne

Lukaku

[turdpower]

De Gea

Rafael
Vidic
Ferdinand
Evra

Carrick
Fellaini
Kagawa

Rooney
RVP
Ronaldo

[Mik]

Oh chris, no idea.

Something like maybe:

Westwood
Colback Brown O'Shea Gardner
Johnson Cabral Larsson Giaccherini
Sessegnon
Altidore/Fletcher

[Bad Collin]

I would guess:


Mingolet

Johnson Toure Agger Enrique

Gerrard Lucas Henderson

Aspas Sturridge Coutinho

Sterling and Ibe will get games too. Suarez will obs slot in there too once he is back if he stays.

[Andy]

Szcz

Sagna --- Mert --- Kos --- Gibbs

Arteta Wilshere

Walcott ---------- Cazorla ---------- Podolski

Giroud

:cool:

[MikeHunt]

Bloody hell that Dunfermline must have splashed a bit of cash!

[TraXX]

Ruddy

Martin - Bassong - Turner - Olsson

Fer - Howson
Snodgrass - Hoolahan - Redmond

Van Wolfswinkel

That's a very rough guess. No idea how Hughton will set us up this year. :dunno: Looks quite good, though. :D

[Gary J]

Szcz

Sagna --- Mert --- Kos --- Gibbs

Arteta Wilshere

Walcott ---------- Cazorla ---------- Podolski

Giroud

:cool:

Monreal ahead of Gibbs surely?

[Gary J]

McGregor

Chester / Davies / Figueroa

Elmohamady / Koren / Meyler / Quinn / Brady

Graham / Aluko

[Peter Griffin]

Grant

Smith
Buxton
Keogh (c)
Forsyth

Bryson
Coutts
Hendrick

Hughes
Ward

Martin/Russell/Sammon

That is on the basis we play a system similar to last season.

[Torn]

Tough to predict what team Rosler will pick for Saturday but I'd go with:

Button

Logan
Dean
Craig
Bidwell

McCormack
Forshaw
Saville

Donaldson
Grigg
McAleny

[Torn]

Monreal ahead of Gibbs surely?

He's injured I believe

[Peter Griffin]

Hold the phone, A Arsenal player injured? :panic:

[MMH]

As we have a new manager I have no idea. But I would expect it to be something like...(assuming everyone stays)

GK Tim Howard

RB Seamus Coleman
CB Phil Jagielka
CB Sylvain Distin
LB Leighton Baines

CM Marouane Fellaini
CM Darron Gibson
CM Ross Barkley

LW Arouna Kone
ST Nikica Jelavic
RW Kevin Mirallas

Joel could easily replace Howard though, Alcaraz instead of Distin and Pienaar or Deulofeu for Kone at ST and Jelavic. Maybe Osman for Barkley too. Blimey we actually have options for a change.

[Peter Griffin]

Isn't Distin ready for the knackers yard yet?

[MMH]

Isn't Distin ready for the knackers yard yet?

You would think so, but even at 36 he is probably still the fittest player we have got. Hes a machine of a man.

[Peter Griffin]

Fair play, I think im doing him a disservice because in the two games I watched him in last season he made errors that led to goals, that may of been a unlucky coincidence though.

[MMH]

Fair play, I think im doing him a disservice because in the two games I watched him in last season he mad errors that led to goals, that may of been a unlucky coincidence though.

Oh he always makes stupid mistakes. Thankfully he is usually speedy enough to then cover up for them.

[Peter Griffin]

Actually that team looks pretty fucking good on paper, not seen enough of Kone to have to much of a opinion on him mind. And maybe stick Pienaar in for Gibson?

[turdpower]

Oh he always makes stupid mistakes. Thankfully he is usually speedy enough to then cover up for them.

Rafael does that!

Or gives away fouls whilst putting his hands in the air.

[MMH]

Actually that team looks pretty fucking good on paper, not seen enough of Kone to have to much of a opinion on him mind. And maybe stick Pienaar in for Gibson?

Not for Gibson, he is vital to how our team plays. Keeps everything ticking over and lets others push on. Pienaar could play centrally I suppose but he was quite poor last season.

[The Rosk]

Quite shocked at Barkley given a definite start there MMH.

I don't think Lambert knows our starting XI yet but I would presume

Guzan

Luna
Vlaar
Baker
Lowton

Bacuna
Westwood
Sylla

Agbonlahor
Benteke
Weimann

Delph and Tonev could easily fit in there too.

[The Rosk]

Quite shocked at Barkley given a definite start there MMH.

I don't think Lambert knows our starting XI yet but I would presume

Guzan

Luna
Vlaar
Baker
Lowton

Bacuna
Westwood
Sylla

Agbonlahor
Benteke
Weimann

Delph and Tonev could easily fit in there too.

[Andy]

Monreal ahead of Gibbs surely?

Dunno, they seemed to rotate quite evenly last season. Monreal is out for three months anyway apparently. :yes:

[Gary J]

I thought it was starting eleven assuming everyone was fit. It didn't say opening weekend.

[Andy]

Have you signed any centre backs yet Rosk? I know you have Baker and Clarke who are promising but christ they were absolute bomb scares last season, Clarke especially.

[Rip]

We're probably looking at...

Krul

Debuchy
Colo
Yanga-Mbiwa
Dummett

Tiote
Cabaye
Sissoko
HBA

Gouffran
Cisse

Very attacking (despite only one 'striker', although Gouffran has been playing through the middle in the absence of Cisse and has looked pretty decent) which is probably why we seem to be leaning towards Dummett over Santon at the minute, hopefully the XI will have changed by the middle of next week though.

[da_man]

Probable:

Jake Kean

Todd Kane
Scott Dann
Matt Kilgallon
Tommy Spurr

Alan Judge
David Dunn
Jason Lowe
Tom Cairney
Josh King

Jordan Rhodes

Fucking hell, just writing that team down hits home how far we've dropped.

[turdpower]

Have you ever written David Dunn down and thought things were great?

[The Rosk]

Have you signed any centre backs yet Rosk? I know you have Baker and Clarke who are promising but christ they were absolute bomb scares last season, Clarke especially.

Fuck yes sorry. Okore will prob start instead of Baker at the back

[da_man]

David Dunn was immense in the latter half of last season. Probably our biggest influence in staying up. I shall have no dissing of Dunny...just need to keep him fit.

[Rip]

How old is he now? I remember at one point he was going to be the new Gazza and set the world alight...

[da_man]

33. Would have been had it not been for injuries...and beer...and pies.

[Beefy]

Dan Bentley

John White (c)
Julian Bennett
Mark Phillips
Luke Prosser

Will Atkinson
Kevan Hurst
Conor Clifford
Michael Timlin

Barry Corr
Freddy Eastwood

[Rip]

33. Would have been had it not been for injuries...and beer...and pies.

So all he needs is to punch his Mrs, offer a lunatic a fish supper and he's made it then?

[son_of_foley]

Probable:

Jake Kean

Todd Kane
Scott Dann
Matt Kilgallon
Tommy Spurr

Alan Judge
David Dunn
Jason Lowe
Tom Cairney
Josh King

Jordan Rhodes

Fucking hell, just writing that team down hits home how far we've dropped.

Corry Evans signed as well now. You guys have done a fair amount of business this year right? Don't think he might put Best or Campbell up with Rhodes?

[Simon]

Lloris

Walker - Kaboul - Vertonghen - Ekotto

Paulinho - Sandro - Dembele

Bale - Soldado - Chadli

That's dependent on a couple of things...Bale staying, obviously, and Kaboul being fit. There's a possibility that Rose will play ahead of Ekotto too, and Chadli is just the most likely of a number of options for the left hand attack slot. Definitely switching to a 4-3-3 though.

[Bennedy]

How good is Chadli? Do you reckon he will be a regular ahead of Lennon?

[da_man]

Corry Evans signed as well now. You guys have done a fair amount of business this year right? Don't think he might put Best or Campbell up with Rhodes?

Best was awful last season. Campbell has had a decent pre-season. May play him from the right.

[Simon]

How good is Chadli? Do you reckon he will be a regular ahead of Lennon?

No idea, I've only seen him a couple of times before. He played on Saturday and was very poor, although Lennon was just as bad (as was everyone else) but they aren't really playing for the same spot - Chadli is an inside-out winger, playing on the left but cutting in onto his stronger right foot, whereas Lennon is a more orthodox right winger.

We're going to play 4-3-3 this season so Lennon will in all likelihood be more of an impact sub, he doesn't really suit the system we are using - not that you can't play a right-footer on the right in a 4-3-3, but they have to offer some sort of goal threat and Lennon doesn't.

[Bad Collin]

I would guess:


Mingolet

Johnson Toure Agger Enrique

Gerrard Lucas Henderson

Aspas Sturridge Coutinho

Sterling and Ibe will get games too. Suarez will obs slot in there too once he is back if he stays.

Aspas has only played down the middle in pre season so I guess he is back up to Suarez and Sturridge. Allen started ahead of Henderson on Saturday so he might get that spot but when Hendo came on he did a much better job.

[Simon]

How have the new signings looked in pre-season?

[Chris Scott]

Aspas has only played down the middle in pre season so I guess he is back up to Suarez and Sturridge. Allen started ahead of Henderson on Saturday so he might get that spot but when Hendo came on he did a much better job.

Yeah it will be interesting who he's goes with between Allen and Henderson.



How have the new signings looked in pre-season?

Quite good I'd say. Aspas looked very sharp on Saturday and linked up well with the rest of the team, can't say much about Alberto not seen enough of him and both Toure and Mingolet have been solid all be it against week teams apart from Saturdays game.

[Bad Collin]

How have the new signings looked in pre-season?

Aspas looks good, full of energy and he has shown some nice bits of skill. His finishing is ok, he has shown good composure but he missed a few chances on Saturday.

Mignolet has had very little to do but has made good saves when called upon. He commands the area well my only worry is that he is not as good as Pep with his feet

Toure looks boss. He organises things so well that he looks like he never has anything to do. Of course he will probably get found out by the first nippy forward he comes up against in the Prem.

Luis Alberto hasn't played much but he looks like a very tidy player. I don't think he'll get much game time this year.

[Bad Collin]

Yeah it will be interesting who he's goes with between Allen and Henderson.




Quite good I'd say. Aspas looked very sharp on Saturday and linked up well with the rest of the team, can't say much about Alberto not seen enough of him and both Toure and Mingolet have been solid all be it against week teams apart from Saturdays game.

How nice was Hendo's finish?

[Chris Scott]

Yep it was a smart finish, his 3rd year at us now I think this season will be the one he proves he can make it at us.

[Gary J]

Yeah it will be interesting who he's goes with between Allen and Henderson.




Quite good I'd say. Aspas looked very sharp on Saturday and linked up well with the rest of the team, can't say much about Alberto not seen enough of him and both Toure and Mingolet have been solid all be it against week teams apart from Saturdays game.

Saturday's game was only a testimonial so doubt the opposition will have been putting much effort in. Even if they were it was only Olympiakos hardly a daunting prospect.

[Bad Collin]

But since it was a tesimonial our lads weren't putting too much effort in either. Also we brought two retired players on. Olympiakos won the Greek league at a canter last year.

[Red Dog]

De Vries

Lichaj/Jara Reyes
Halford
Hobbs
Cohen ©

Guediora
Lansbury
Reid
Abdoun
Majewski/Patterson

Cox (or Blackstock/Mackie/Derbyshire/Tudgay/Henderson/Miller…..think that’s it for strikers!)

I got 7 out of 11. Pretty poor.

[The Rosk]

Told you Lichaj was good.

[Red Dog]

Yeah he looked pretty solid, doesn't fuck about with it, just gets his foot in. Drove past the Doug Ellis Stand today. Lovely part of Birmingham isn't it!

[Gary J]

But since it was a tesimonial our lads weren't putting too much effort in either. Also we brought two retired players on. Olympiakos won the Greek league at a canter last year.

Yeah I know there won't have been much effort that's why I pointed out to Chris Scott that it was a bit odd to dismiss the teams your new players had faced so far as weak compared to Saturdays game. As for Olympiakos strolling the league I hardly that's a sign of their quality.

[RFF Champ]

Told you Lichaj was good.

Lightning quick as well.

[Chris Scott]

Yeah I know there won't have been much effort that's why I pointed out to Chris Scott that it was a bit odd to dismiss the teams your new players had faced so far as weak compared to Saturdays game. As for Olympiakos strolling the league I hardly that's a sign of their quality.

But did you see the other teams we've played? First half of the Olympiakos game both of us where having a go more so then usual in a friendly.

[Gary J]

No idea who or how you've played mate. Just trying to dampen your spirits so you don't get your expectations too high before finishing below Everton again.

[Chris Scott]

Money where mouth is my friend?

[Gary J]

Why not shall we say a tenner?

Let's actually keep track of this one shall we I seem to remember a Andy Carroll RFF bet with you that I can't remember if I won or not.

[Chris Scott]

No probs mate tenner it is, we talk regularly on twitter so I'm sure we will remind each other.

Can't remember any Andy Carroll bet.

[Simon]

Lloris

Walker - Kaboul - Vertonghen - Ekotto

Paulinho - Sandro - Dembele

Bale - Soldado - Chadli

That's dependent on a couple of things...Bale staying, obviously, and Kaboul being fit. There's a possibility that Rose will play ahead of Ekotto too, and Chadli is just the most likely of a number of options for the left hand attack slot. Definitely switching to a 4-3-3 though.

UPDATE:

Since that earlier post we have got rid of Bale and Ekotto, and it seems as though (for now at least) Capoue is preferred to Sandro in midfield - although he will now be out for a month. We've also signed Eriksen, who I would assume would play from the left but narrow, allowing Rose to bomb on.



Lloris

Walker - Kaboul - Vertonghen - Rose

Paulinho - Capoue - Dembele

Lamela - Soldado - Eriksen