First 11

[LeeB]

I think Hogg is every bit as good as Reo Coker and I'm amazed that Bannan hasn't featured in these lists. 

Huzzah! Someone else who rates Hogg! Think it's only us two SV.

Count me in too.

In my opinion there will be at least one of the less heralded youth players who appeared last year who will push on again and make themselves serious players, and if I were to pick one it would be Hogg.

I remember Graig Cardner looking absolutely hopeless when he first appeared in the team, yet as it stands he and a certain centre half are the best products of our academy in the last 10 years.

[UK Redsox]

Personally, I'd put Bannan behind Delph right now. 

I assume you mean behind in ranking not position and you are probably right.  We haven't seen enough of Delph yet though but from what little we have seen he appears the complete article.  We could have places for both but they need a 'heavy' alongside them in style and experience.

 Thats seems to be the obvious and key piece we are missing from the squad. Whether we play 4-4-2, 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 we need an enforcer to bully opponents into submission to compliment the many ball players we have in Delph, Bannan, Makoun etc

That's the word - an enforcer!

Robbie Savage ?

[supertommykN'iba]

I think Hogg is every bit as good as Reo Coker and I'm amazed that Bannan hasn't featured in these lists. 

Huzzah! Someone else who rates Hogg! Think it's only us two SV.

Make that three. I think Hogg is a really good player and hope he gets a fair crack at the whip this season, his tackling and short passing puts him on a par with Petrov for me. Tends to keep a cool head and likes to spread the play. Don't think he had a single bad game for us last season, really impressed.

I'm actually quite confident about the new season. I think the squad we have is easily good enough to hold our own in the league and if it means another transitional season with all the kids coming through, so be it. I like the idea of 14 key players, plus some back up and youth. Think we could even be a 'surprise package'.

[brontebilly]

-----------------Given
L young, Collins, Dunne. Warnock
----------Makoun, Delph------------
Albrighton, Nzogbia, Ireland
---------------Bent-----------

Bannan, Clark, Petrov, Lichaj, Gabby, Hogg (Beye and Heskey not worth having in squad imo)

To be honest, Id worry about that team.

[N'ZMAV]

Given

L Young
Collins
Dunne
Warnock

Albrighton
Makoun
Petrov
Ireland
Bannan

Bent

I'd look to bring in a winger over Bannan, but what we have is what I've listed.

[N'ZMAV]

Hogg is toss.

[GJH]

Given

Young
Warnock
Dunne
Collins

Petrov
Makoun
Ireland
Albrighton
Agbonlahor

Bent

Subs
Guzan
Delfoneuso
Bannan
Delph
Heskey
Beye
Clark

Bench is poor. Championship standard at the moment. Only Clark is not.

[Klaus Katt]

                   Given
Young  Collins  Dunne  Warnock
                  Makoun
 Albrighton  Delph  Agbonlahor
                  Bannan
                    Bent

[TheSandman]

I think Hogg is every bit as good as Reo Coker and I'm amazed that Bannan hasn't featured in these lists. 

Huzzah! Someone else who rates Hogg! Think it's only us two SV.

*Raises Hand*

I like him too. Doesn't do anything special but he does a lot of simple stuff very well. He's got a bit of toughness about him and passes fairly sensibly. He could actually be a decent enough player as a water carrier.

[hawkeye]

All the teams I have seen on here look lower mid table

[Klaus Katt]

All the teams I have seen on here look lower mid table

I get the same feeling, if not worse. Wayne Routledge on the bench.

[Concrete John]

All the teams I have seen on here look lower mid table

I think there are a few too many unanswered questions to know either way for sure:-

How will AM be able to shape the defence?
A lot depends on Dunne and Collins recapturing their 09/10 form.  A lot of players were poorer under Houllier then we had previously seen, yet these two seem singled out for criticism, which may be to do with the lack of discipline.  He does now how to organise a defence, so it's one area I'm hopeful in, even if I am concerned with the lack of a good DCM infront of them.

Will N'Zogbia join?
I think so.  And if he doesn't I do think the funds will be there for someone else, who'll hopefully be as good.

Will Ireland stop being a mental?
Who knows?  He's a good player if so and in Ash's position should shine.  This is actually not my biggest concern as if he's still howling at the moon, then I have every confidence in Delph, plus we could make him unnecessary by going 442.

How good are the kids?
Probably our biggest question mark as it's mainly guess work.  I think we can be confident about Clark, Albrighton and Delph, and I'm also a big Bannan fan, but beyond that it's a lot of unknowns.  Although mainly squad players, injuries will happen and rotation should, so if they do turn out to not be as good as we'd hoped.

So, to answer if short form:-
How will AM be able to shape the defence? - Well, I think.
Will N'Zogbia join? - Yes.
Will Ireland stop being a mental? - Unknown, but not vital.
How good are the kids? - Unknown, but vital.

[tarzansbrother]

I think Hogg is every bit as good as Reo Coker and I'm amazed that Bannan hasn't featured in these lists. 

Huzzah! Someone else who rates Hogg! Think it's only us two SV.

*Raises Hand*

I like him too. Doesn't do anything special but he does a lot of simple stuff very well. He's got a bit of toughness about him and passes fairly sensibly. He could actually be a decent enough player as a water carrier.

I'm with you SV. £8.5m and £50k a week for Coker was disgusting. Hogg can do what he does and can pass.

[Holy Trinity]

I think Hogg is every bit as good as Reo Coker and I'm amazed that Bannan hasn't featured in these lists. 

Huzzah! Someone else who rates Hogg! Think it's only us two SV.

*Raises Hand*

I like him too. Doesn't do anything special but he does a lot of simple stuff very well. He's got a bit of toughness about him and passes fairly sensibly. He could actually be a decent enough player as a water carrier.

I'm with you SV. £8.5m and £50k a week for Coker was disgusting. Hogg can do what he does and can pass.

I think hogg will be great one day, I hope he pushes on this season, I built me pes team around him this year lol

[PaulWinch again]

Hogg isn't actually that young though, so he needs to improve quick.