First 11

[cdbearsfan]

Absolutely wildly optimistic...

GK Foster
RB Walker
LB Enrique
CB Clark
CB Dann
RW Albrighton
DM Delph
CM Milner
AM Diego
LW N'Zogbia
CF Bent

More realistic...

GK Given
RB Hutton
LB L Young
CB Dunne
CB Collins
RW Albrighton
DM Reo-Coker
CM Petrov
AM Delph
LW N'Zogbia (I reckon we'll sign him, and I like him, so he's in both teams!)
CF Bent

[noodles_]

I would love N'Zogbia. Is it realistic that we could sign him? I haven't really been following the transfer merry-go-round.

[cdbearsfan]

I don't see why not. Out of contract next year, so they'll sell. He'd probably choose Liverpool ahead of us (bigger reputation, wouldn't need to move house) but if they sign Downing they won't need them both.

I suppose there's always the chance some pesky foreigners will sign him, but I think we have a decent shot if we are seriously after him.

[noodles_]

I wouldn't be too bothered if Downing left if we got N'Zogbia, better player IMO. Downing is too passive. McCarthy at Wigan would be a good signing too.

[Nirog72]

Whichever 11 we can put out?

[paul_e]

The thing is, if the players don't do all the silly shit that houllier had to put up with we've got the basis of a very good squad.

I reckon, if Downing goes, we need 6 players.

Goalkeeper
Left back
Right back
Defensive Centre Mid (I'd be happy to put this off until Jan though)
Left winger
Attacking midfielder who's comfortable across the pitch

The last one is the big one for me, that's the young replacement, someone who can play left, right or in the hole and do a good job in each.

[Gervilla81]

Guzan

Young
Warnock
Dunne
Clark

Albrighton
Makoun
Ireland
Downing

Bent
Agbonlahor

subs
Heskey, Collins, Bannan, Delfouneso, Marshall, Petrov , Beye

[Concrete John]

Now that Downing has gone and Given done, I thought this might be worth revisiting?  Sticking with 4-2-3-1:-

Given

Young
Dunne
Collins
Warnock

Makoun
Petrov

Albrighton
Ireland
Delph (most likely N'Zogbia)

Bent

[UsualSuspect]

Now that Downing has gone and Given done, I thought this might be worth revisiting?  Sticking with 4-2-3-1:-

Given

Young
Dunne
Collins
Warnock

Makoun
Petrov

Albrighton
Ireland
Delph (most likely N'Zogbia)

Bent

Not bad but fuck me how lightweight do we look in central midfield??

[Mazrim]

We can always use Clark in midfield to beef it up if we cant get a convincing defensive mid. A role he impressed at I think although he's definitely a versatile centre half by trade.

[TimTheVillain]

Pass me a Prozac 

[Concrete John]

Not bad but fuck me how lightweight do we look in central midfield??

I don't think it's that bad really.  Petrov we know can do a job, but his stamina is an issue for 90 minutes, and Makoun is still largely an unknown quantity.  So could be quite good if we manage Stan well and Makoun delivers.  Were it me I'd be tempted to play Delph ahead of them for more cover, but strongly suspect it'll be Ireland.

[SoccerHQ]

Yes I can see Clark playing alongside Makoun/Delph in central midifeld a fair bit this season.

[Concrete John]

I wouldn't be overly critical of him as he's a young player playing out of position at a time when we had injury problems all over the place, but I really wasn't all that impressed with Clark as a DCM. 

I'd rather play Hogg or Herd there.

[SoccerHQ]

Hogg won't be good enough long term imo.