First 11

[SoccerHQ]

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

He was seriously out of his depth at home to Spurs and should've been sent off before half time so I struggled to see that really.

[Steve R]

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

None of the so called youngsters who stepped into the breach last year are that young. In the normal course of events, if emerging players are not getting significant number of games by the age of 20 the chances are they will not be upper table PL standard.

They are almost the same age now as Gary Shaw was when his career effectively ended.

The caveat on this is that they have not played that often because of a certain manager's insistence on picking the same 11 every week, as opposed to lack of ability.

They all seem to have good temperament, how often last year did we say that it was the experienced players that let us down after games such as ManU at home etc.

I like Hogg too, and Herd did well when he played. There were odd games when they didn't look that much, but you could have said the same of Ashley Young.

[PaulWinch again]

Hogg is still quite a bit older than the other's though.

[Concrete John]

So, anyone got any fresh ideas from last night?  I think it was the during the fans meeting that AM mentioned playing 4-4-2, but his first game was 4-5-1, which I prefer and hope he sticks to.  Heskey was obviously a makeshift left winger, so I'm guessing that leaves a Charles N'Zogbia shaped hole in the side.

Given

Young
Dunne
Collins
Warnock

Petrov
Makoun

Albrighton
Ireland
N'Zogbia

Bent

[SoccerHQ]

I refused to believe Eck is going to play 4-4-2 away from home with two strikers and two wide players. Maybe in the winnable home games like Blackburn and Wolves but I can't see him playing that at Fulham.

From the line up we saw last night, I think the majority of those will start v Fulham if fit. Certainly that is the first choice back 5 and if the central trio continue to link well in pre season, I'd expect that to be the midfield against Fulham with hopefully N'zogbia on the left instead of Heskey and maybe Gabby in for Albrighton on the right.

[Merv]

We haven't currently got the players or the quality to play 4-4-2, so a hybrid 4-3-3 reverting to 4-5-1 when required seems sensible; a bit more bulk in midfield and, with our chronic lack of wingers, utilising strikers who are comfortable playing slightly wider. Got a couple of these. I'd say our first X1 right now would be this - with subs/options detailed just underneath:

                                                                  Given
                                                                  Guzan, Marshall

                                 Young                         Dunne           Collins              Warnock       
                                Lichaj, Beye                  Cuellar         Clark                 Baker             

                                                                      Petrov            Makoun
                                                                 Hogg, Delph, Gardner, Herd

                                                                                Ireland
                                                                                Bannan

                                                    Albrighton             Bent             Agbonlahor     
                                                    Delfouneso              Weimann      Heskey

[N'ZMAV]

Pretty much spot on Merv.

[Surrey Villain]

Pretty much spot on Merv.

Yep. Agbonlahor is our Nzogbia.

[hawkeye]

Its getting that desperate that people want to make a run out for the first team is PL standard

[hawkeye]

We haven't currently got the players or the quality to play 4-4-2, so a hybrid 4-3-3 reverting to 4-5-1 when required seems sensible; a bit more bulk in midfield and, with our chronic lack of wingers, utilising strikers who are comfortable playing slightly wider. Got a couple of these. I'd say our first X1 right now would be this - with subs/options detailed just underneath:

                                                                  Given
                                                                  Guzan, Marshall

                                 Young                         Dunne           Collins              Warnock       
                                Lichaj, Beye                  Cuellar         Clark                 Baker             

                                                                      Petrov            Makoun
                                                                 Hogg, Delph, Gardner, Herd

                                                                                Ireland
                                                                                Bannan

                                                    Albrighton             Bent             Agbonlahor     
                                                    Delfouneso              Weimann      Heskey

Yes right any combination is lower mid table, get real

[PaulWinch again]

I do think injuries(albeit hopefully minor) to Gabby and Ireland have shown how light our squad is. We desperately need to sign more than one player.

[Olneythelonely]

Its getting that desperate that people want to make a run out for the first team is PL standard

Erm, what?

[Chris Smith]

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

He was seriously out of his depth at home to Spurs and should've been sent off before half time so I struggled to see that really.

He was a player who you could see a real improvement in as he grew in confidence after a few games. He was also one of the few who played every week when out on loan which will not have one him any harm.

If Clarke and Albrighton are probables he's a possible.

[Concrete John]

So, if the summer business is concluded (still hopeful we may get a nice late August surprise), where does that leave us?

.......................Given..........................
Young.....Dunne.....Collins.....Warnock
.............Makoun.....Petrov..................
Gabby/Marc.....Ireland.....N'Zogbia.....
.........................Bent..........................

My biggest concern remains Ireland - if he's got his head screwed on right and is playing well that's a team capable of a top 6 finish, IMO.  Although that would be heavily dependent on injuries.

[evalast1910]

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.

And me I think Hogg is one of the best young players we have got!