First 11

[Phil from the upper holte]

In a word "worried"

Too slow at the back too lightweight in midfield and nothing up front without Bent

[oldtimernow]

the back line has the turning circle of the Titanic as was shown yesterday, not mobile enough and do not have the nous to prevent being caught out .

We rely a great deal on last ditch defending, Ok when it works but potentially fatal especially, against the more fluid teams.

[Clampy]

I did'nt watch the first game against Blackburn but apparantley the defence was very good, but it did look a bit shoddy at times yesterday. Hopefully it was a one off.

[brontebilly]

In a word "worried"

Too slow at the back too lightweight in midfield and nothing up front without Bent

thats the way I feel too. Midfield in particular worries me. Petrov, Bannan, Ireland, Makoun wouldnt fight their way out of a wet paper bad and its likely we will have a combination of three of them in the first X1. Cant see any protection for our defence there either. Cant see both Young and Warnock lasting the season at full back and our cover is non existent.

[Greg N'Ash]

...................Given....................
Young....Dunne^..Collins^..Warnock
........Makoun...^Ireland.^..Petrov............
Heskey.........>^>>>>>^....................N'Zogbia
..................^......Bent..........................

> - Routes opposition will drive bus through.

[Irish villain]

I would feel more comfortable if NRC was still at the club. Midfield really looks a bit lighteight and we have lost some of the pace we were renowned for.

We really need a big season from all of Given, N'Zogbia, Makoun, Collins and Bent.

[Greg N'Ash]

Judging from the chelsea game it looks like HOOF! on a budget with aimless humps forward from the likes of Dunne which means we're contantly on the defensive as it just comes straight back when we lose posession. Difference before under MON is we have some offensive threat and someone in midfield who could win the ball. Hope i'm wrong but its not looking good.

[TheSandman]

I hope our team is:

------------------------------------Given-------------------------------

LYoung---------------Collins-------------New CB----------New LB

------------------------New CM-----------Makoun--------------------

------------------------Bannan/Delph/Ireland------------------------

Albrighton---------------------Bent-------------------------N'Zogbia

I'm not holding out much of that hope.

And even with that team there are question marks over Albrighton whose form has nosedived and Collins.

[Greg N'Ash]

I'd probably welcome Barton at the moment given the powder puff texture of our midfield. Ireland and Barton in the same midfield - never thought i'd suggest that

[taylorsworkrate]

I

I hope our team is:

------------------------------------Given-------------------------------

LYoung---------------Collins-------------New CB----------New LB

------------------------New CM-----------Makoun--------------------

------------------------Bannan/Delph/Ireland------------------------

Albrighton---------------------Bent-------------------------N'Zogbia

I'm not holding out much of that hope.

And even with that team there are question marks over Albrighton whose form has nosedived and Collins.

I think we should be allowed to play Bannan, Delph and Ireland as one player, considering how light weight our midfield is.

[olaftab]

I am puzzled as to why we play  a right footed Dunne on the left. He is cumbersome at best of times having to twist to clear balls from his left  at times looks embarrassing. Surely a left footed Clark would be better suited to that position.

[TheSandman]

Is Collins right or left footed?

[Matt Collins]

He's right. It would certainly be odd to play a lefty on the right and vice versa!

[Maradona10]

Please no Petrov in the side!!!

[not3bad]

I'd probably welcome Barton at the moment given the powder puff texture of our midfield. Ireland and Barton in the same midfield - never thought i'd suggest that

I used to be dead against Barton coming to the club but I have to say it's sounding like a good move to me now.