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Post by shrewed46 on Jul 26, 2014 17:47:08 GMT 1
After 4 friendlies I'm not sure that more than a couple of players have cemented their place in the team to play at Wimbledon Equally I'm not sure which players wont play.
What a difference a year makes we now have 20 players fighting for places which can only benefit the Town.
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Post by onthepitch on Jul 26, 2014 17:57:48 GMT 1
I started trying to think of a team, but I came to the conclusion it doesn't really matter what team he picks It will almost certainly be Collins & Vernon up top and behind them we actually have options!! I do hope we see plenty of Woods, Goldson and Caton though.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2014 18:07:25 GMT 1
I have only been to the Chesterfield game, but from that and also what I have heard from the other games and what I know of the other players, I would go for this:
3-5-2
GK: Jason Leutwiler
RWB: Jermaine Grandison
CB: Mark Ellis CB: Connor Goldson CB: Nathaniel Knight-Percival
LWB: Mickey Demetriou
CM: Liam Lawrence CM: James Wesolowski CM: Ryan Woods
ST: James Collins ST: Scott Vernon
Subs: Halstead, Gayle, Robinson, Clarke, Wildig, Vincent, Akpa-Akpro.
Even then, that means leaving out Burton, Smith, McAllister (injured), Caton and Mangan!!
Glad I am not picking the team actually!!!
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Post by shrewforever on Jul 26, 2014 18:14:26 GMT 1
All depends who you are playing, but at last we have strength in depth to chop and change according to whatever game plan MM wishes to play.
My only worry, after seeing all 4 games, are the fullbacks, room for improvement for me on both sides of the field.......
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Post by davycrockett on Jul 26, 2014 18:19:50 GMT 1
Wildig should start if fit
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2014 18:21:51 GMT 1
Wildig should start if fit Really? Why?
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Post by shrewed46 on Jul 26, 2014 18:31:42 GMT 1
Central midfield is the area where MM has most options. My guess, and that's all it is, is CM will be Wesolowski and Lawrence. I'd then like 2 wingers Vincent and Caton. But that is just one option.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2014 18:36:57 GMT 1
Not sure where Lawrence was today and had assumed he would be pushing for one of the starting central midfield roles. Despite being the youngest, Woods looks completely at home in there and I wouldn't be surprised if he makes us some serious money if we manage his development carefully.
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Post by scooter on Jul 26, 2014 18:39:37 GMT 1
I have only been to the Chesterfield game, but from that and also what I have heard from the other games and what I know of the other players, I would go for this: 3-5-2 GK: Jason Leutwiler RWB: Jermaine Grandison CB: Mark Ellis CB: Connor Goldson CB: Nathaniel Knight-Percival LWB: Mickey Demetriou CM: Liam Lawrence CM: James Wesolowski CM: Ryan Woods ST: James Collins ST: Scott Vernon Subs: Halstead, Gayle, Robinson, Clarke, Wildig, Vincent, Akpa-Akpro. Even then, that means leaving out Burton, Smith, McAllister (injured), Caton and Mangan!! Glad I am not picking the team actually!!! that would get the all the key players in, but we haven't played 3-5-2 in 4 friendlies, it has been all 4 4 2 except for an experiment with 4 2 3 1 last week, so I expect 4 4 2 at Wimbledon with Collins and Vernon up front but I am unsure about the back 4 or midfield Does anyone know where Lawrence was today ?
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Post by ThrobsBlackHat on Jul 26, 2014 18:39:54 GMT 1
I have only been to the Chesterfield game, but from that and also what I have heard from the other games and what I know of the other players, I would go for this: 3-5-2 GK: Jason Leutwiler RWB: Jermaine Grandison CB: Mark Ellis CB: Connor Goldson CB: Nathaniel Knight-Percival LWB: Mickey Demetriou CM: Liam Lawrence CM: James Wesolowski CM: Ryan Woods ST: James Collins ST: Scott Vernon Subs: Halstead, Gayle, Robinson, Clarke, Wildig, Vincent, Akpa-Akpro. Even then, that means leaving out Burton, Smith, McAllister (injured), Caton and Mangan!! I've almost got a tear in my eye looking at that line up and the bench. I know nothing is won on paper but that's a heck of a team sheet on paper.
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Post by Red Rose In Exile on Jul 26, 2014 20:01:03 GMT 1
Wildig should start if fit Really? Why? Cool calm and collected under pressure, accurate passes, nice touches of the ball - Wilding is a fully rounded player now. He was awful at the start of last season and I admit to criticising on this forum - however he upped his game and for me was the most improved player last year. Outshone many today. Yup he should start. As for other starting places - as indicated above it is great to have competition for once.
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Post by onthepitch on Jul 26, 2014 21:11:49 GMT 1
Lawrence was at the game as saw him leaving at the end... No noticeable limp or anything, must have a knock though surely??
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2014 22:14:36 GMT 1
MM said in his post match interview that Lawrence was left out because he was feeling stiff after a tough week's training.
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woodey88
Midland League Division Two
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Post by woodey88 on Jul 27, 2014 10:34:48 GMT 1
Why was Halstead not in squad yesterday.
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Post by wickedwilleh on Jul 27, 2014 11:07:16 GMT 1
I like the look of our back four yesterday, plenty of height right across the back four. Goldson and Ellis look like a really good pairing, though Demetriou and Knight-Percival have both looked unconvincing at LB on occasion during the friendlies.
Midfield is the toughest one, where does MM start?
I thought Woods has looked good, Lawrence and Wesolowski great too.
Our wing play and final delivery hasn't been great either but that will get better hopefully.
It all looks to be exciting times with plenty of competition!!
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Post by markglasgow on Jul 27, 2014 12:04:59 GMT 1
The players have been worked hard over the last week with some really intense sessions taking place.
The players left out today had minor aches and pains, but nothing too serious.
Given we've predominantly gone 4-4-2 so far in the four games we've played suggests that MM will either ditch his trademark 3-5-2 or he's allowing the group to get know each other in a standard formation before implementing something different once he feels the players have properly gelled.
The central midfield conundrum is going to be fascinating. In my mind Lawrence and Wes are in the driving seat. If we are going with only 2 CM then we may see Woods and Wildig's development severely hampered by lack of game time. Where this also leaves Dave McAlister is anyones guess.
The CM pudding appears to be strangely over-egged somewhat, but I guess we'll see the same titanic struggle for places down the whole spine of our side this season.
A great position to be in. Perhaps to suggest a 'wealth of riches' may be slightly over the top but we have a host of quality options available at MM's disposal. It's now down to him to forge a side that can go out and win matches.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2014 12:06:06 GMT 1
The spine of the team is probably sorted judging by yesterday's starting line up although Lawrence may start if his fitness is ok. The full backs and wide positions are harder to call because of good competition for places but also some unconvincing performances in pre season so far. For sure we will start the season with a very strong looking subs bench
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2014 13:55:18 GMT 1
My starting line up would be;
Leutwiler.
Gayle Ellis Goldson Demetriou
Caton Woods Wilding Mangan.
Collins Vermon.
If we go with a back three. I would drop Gayle and Demetriou and slot Grandison in, play Mangan behind the strikers, with Akpa Akpro coming in on the left to give us a more balanced set up.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2014 14:09:00 GMT 1
My starting line up would be; Leutwiler. Gayle Ellis Goldson Demetriou Caton Woods Wilding Mangan. Collins Vermon. If we go with a back three. I would drop Gayle and Demetriou and slot Grandison in, play Mangan behind the strikers, with Akpa Akpro coming in on the left to give us a more balanced set up. Wilding was decent in his day but his legs have gone now...
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Post by shrewforever on Jul 27, 2014 14:25:49 GMT 1
If 4-4-2 I'd go
Either keeper, aint seen enough yet to favour one over the other Demetriou Knight-Perival Ellis Gayle Vincent Weso Lawerence Caton Vernon Collins
Hard for me to leave out Clarke, I think he's been very impressive, but favour Caton TO START as he is an out and out wide man
As good as Woods and Wildig are, bench warming for me at the moment and Goldson only automatic if we play 3 central defenders
Not happy with both fullback positions at this moment in time but prefer above two over Woods, not his position and Grando still long way off being match fit imo, whatever he may say himself.......
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Post by Salopfan99 on Jul 27, 2014 15:55:32 GMT 1
I reckon for the first game at least, its a must starting Grandison at Centre Half, purely due to the fact that Wimbledon will have the brute Akinfenwa upfront, and Jermaine is the only one of our CHs with the physical strength to at least try and contain him. Btw, has anybody seen Akinfenwa in pre-season? He's become even bigger than he was last year!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2014 16:42:57 GMT 1
So many news players to choose from, what a headache MM has got. I can see some of these players moving on before the season ends and better ones, hopefully, brought in. I have forgotten about Clarke, who has impressed me pre- season. Ellis has improved over the last few games, but Vincent, Demetriou and Knight -Percival still have a lot to do to convince me.
for me, Woods and Wildig are still the best footballers in the squad. I hope we can hold on to them this season.
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Post by eggyshrew on Jul 27, 2014 23:15:01 GMT 1
Wildig should start if fit Really? Why? Still the best midfielder we got without a doubt. Has that edge of vision and cleverness compared to the rest. My worry is that he is in his last year and we could lose him if we don't use him enough. I was told that clubs where interested in him not so long ago Barnsley 1 of them.
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Post by eggyshrew on Jul 27, 2014 23:18:14 GMT 1
My starting line up would be; Leutwiler. Gayle Ellis Goldson Demetriou Caton Woods Wilding Mangan. Collins Vermon. If we go with a back three. I would drop Gayle and Demetriou and slot Grandison in, play Mangan behind the strikers, with Akpa Akpro coming in on the left to give us a more balanced set up. Wilding was decent in his day but his legs have gone now... His legs have gone where Paul
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2014 23:30:03 GMT 1
Still the best midfielder we got without a doubt. Has that edge of vision and cleverness compared to the rest. My worry is that he is in his last year and we could lose him if we don't use him enough. I was told that clubs where interested in him not so long ago Barnsley 1 of them. If he's the best midfielder you should'nt have any worries about him not being used enough should you ?
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Post by eggyshrew on Jul 27, 2014 23:35:50 GMT 1
Still the best midfielder we got without a doubt. Has that edge of vision and cleverness compared to the rest. My worry is that he is in his last year and we could lose him if we don't use him enough. I was told that clubs where interested in him not so long ago Barnsley 1 of them. If he's the best midfielder you should'nt have any worries about him not being used enough should you ? I hope not
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Post by blazey on Jul 27, 2014 23:44:56 GMT 1
As exciting as it is to see the flurry of activity and new signings, I have two nagging concerns: firstly that if promotion is not achieved at the first attempt and given that the initial excitement of a new management team will have worn off, we may have to engage in a fairly brutal cost cutting exercise. Will certain players who have "brought into the project" be so keen on a second unplanned season in League Two?
Secondly, I am anxious that an over-abundance of experienced players in some positions will severely limit the opportunities to our younger players coming through the ranks. Like others have mentioned, I want to see the likes of Wildig, Woods and Goldson play a key role for us this season - they are all good enough for the first team now and potentially have good sell-on value which could be vital in building a financial war chest for future seasons. Given that only in recent years has our enormous investment in our youth system started to bear fruit in a slow yet steady stream of youth players making the grade, and with the likes of Burton, Smith, Ginnelly etc not far from breaking through, I feel it is vital for the future of the club that we are able to accommodate and integrate them into the first team in the proper way.
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Post by ThrobsBlackHat on Jul 27, 2014 23:59:08 GMT 1
Last season proved you need strength in depth. We looked alright with Summerfield and Wildig in midfield but were denied their services for a long, long time.
Wesolowski and Lawrence have come here to play, but there will be chances for the others.
The fact the bench will actually have a full quota of players, who we know, and who warrant a first team place is something that is still giving me a nosebleed if i think long enough about it.
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Post by blazey on Jul 28, 2014 0:13:57 GMT 1
Absolutely, but I hope in our haste to learn from past errors we haven't had a knee jerk reaction too far in the opposite direction! For instance, I would rather we had brought in Asante (or similar) who has potential to get better and we could develop and maybe sell on at a later date, than Mangan who has probably peaked and never had a stellar goal return in the Football League. Likewise, Robinson looked good in the friendly I saw against Chesterfield, but with his recent injury record and at the age of 34 he's hardly one for the future, especially with Lawrence who I anticipate will play a similar role in the team. Competition for places is good, but not if there is so much competition (and pressure on instant success) that we are cutting off our supply line and young players find it hard to get a look in and an opportunity to impress.
More than happy to be proven completely wrong, obviously!
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owdlad
Midland League Division Two
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Post by owdlad on Jul 28, 2014 0:16:33 GMT 1
As exciting as it is to see the flurry of activity and new signings, I have two nagging concerns: firstly that if promotion is not achieved at the first attempt and given that the initial excitement of a new management team will have worn off, we may have to engage in a fairly brutal cost cutting exercise. Will certain players who have "brought into the project" be so keen on a second unplanned season in League Two? Secondly, I am anxious that an over-abundance of experienced players in some positions will severely limit the opportunities to our younger players coming through the ranks. Like others have mentioned, I want to see the likes of Wildig, Woods and Goldson play a key role for us this season - they are all good enough for the first team now and potentially have good sell-on value which could be vital in building a financial war chest for future seasons. Given that only in recent years has our enormous investment in our youth system started to bear fruit in a slow yet steady stream of youth players making the grade, and with the likes of Burton, Smith, Ginnelly etc not far from breaking through, I feel it is vital for the future of the club that we are able to accommodate and integrate them into the first team in the proper way. Perhaps those who have bought into the project have been attracted by the carrot of a big bonus if the club wins promotion. If so, there'll be no need for a cost cutting exercise.
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