First 11

[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

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.

yep. we need someone in there with a bit of bite. Can't believe AM can't see it or that he's not knocking on Lerner's door demanding the dosh for it. I realise money is tight but there comes a time when it could cost us more money not buying a player than biting the bullet and investing

[citizenDJ]

Barton, despite being a tit, is probably exactly what we could use in midfield. He can read play well, break up attacks and whatnot, but he can also pass well, get forward and score goals.

But he is a tit.

[Concrete John]

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.

Well, if you judge it based on one game of our pre-season, against the toughest opposition we will play all year, then I can see you point.

If you look at it over the three games though, you'll see a different picture.  We've defended well, Bent's scored goals and we've passed it around quite nicely, but we were found out against truely top notch opponents.  What that suggests to me is an upper midtable side.

[Greg N'Ash]

I agree upto a point. Anyone who decides we're going to have a good/bad/indifferent season basedon friendly games is likely to be disappointed/surprised. The worrying thing for me was the defence in the chelsea game were doing the same things that caused us problems all last season and presumably they were fit then.

[Concrete John]

I didn't actually see the game Saturday, so maybe not in the best position to comment, but what struck me was that AM made quite a few changes, except to the defence.  I can understand why, as he wants to get them working as a unit, but in those conditions, and during pre-season, they must have been knackered during that 2nd game, which was against the much tougher of the opposition.  So I'll give some allowance as to how they played in consideration of that.

[citizenDJ]

It'll be interesting to see the defence in action in the league, actually. For a set of players who were amongst the meanest defences in the league to become one of the most porous in the space of a season is quite bewildering, looking back on it. I suppose we'll find out if they really have turned to crap, or if the methods employed by Houllier's regime simply buggered it up.

[Concrete John]

So, now that the summer dealings are all done, how do people think we'll line up?  I'd like to see in a 4-2-3-1:-

Given
Hutton - Dunne - Collins - Warnock
Petrov - Delph
N'Zogbia - Bannan - Gabby
Bent

Subs; Guzan, Clark, Baker, Jenas, Ireland, Albrighton and Heskey.

Cuellar to take Baker's place on the bench once fit and Jenbas to come on for Petrov if/when he tires.

[citizenDJ]

I feel sure that Jenas will start, which is fine by me. I also think he allows us to play a 4-4-2 more comfortably too, if we choose.

So;

                   Given

Hutton   Collins   Dunne   Warnock

        Jenas   Petrov   Delph

N'Zogbia                       Agbonlahor

                    Bent

or;

                   Given

Hutton   Collins   Dunne   Warnock

Albrighton  Jenas Petrov N'Zogbia

             Bent   Agbonlahor

Not teams to trouble the top six, probably, but solid enough and potentially with goals in 'em.

[LeeB]

So, now that the summer dealings are all done, how do people think we'll line up?  I'd like to see in a 4-2-3-1:-

Given
Hutton - Dunne - Collins - Warnock
Petrov - Delph
N'Zogbia - Bannan - Gabby
Bent

Subs; Guzan, Clark, Baker, Jenas, Ireland, Albrighton and Heskey.

Cuellar to take Baker's place on the bench once fit and Jenbas to come on for Petrov if/when he tires.

As much as I rate him, I'd bring Jenas in for Delph in that side.

And I think it could be a handy side.

[Dante Lavelli]

Apologies John, I just started a thread asking the same.  I'll add my two pence worth here and we can carry on as normal (can the other thread be locked?)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So now we know our squad up until January how do people want us to line up and where do you think we'll finish?

---------------------Given----------------------
Hutton-----Collins-------Dunne---Warnock-
-------------Petrov-------Delph---------------
---Nzogbia-------Bannan------Gabby--------
--------------------Bent------------------------

Subs: Guzan, Albrighton, Jenas, Clark, Heskey, Fonz

Ultimately two of Jenas, Delph and Petrov should be picked based on form and fitness.
I would send Gardner out on loan with the option to bring him back with immediate notice.

If the players can find some confidence and avoid injuries then I think we should get 7-10 with that squad.

[Mister E]

I feel sure that Jenas will start, which is fine by me. I also think he allows us to play a 4-4-2 more comfortably too, if we choose.

So;

                   Given

Hutton   Collins   Dunne   Warnock

        Jenas   Petrov   Delph

N'Zogbia                       Agbonlahor

                    Bent

or;

                   Given

Hutton   Collins   Dunne   Warnock

Albrighton  Jenas Petrov N'Zogbia

             Bent   Agbonlahor

Not teams to trouble the top six, probably, but solid enough and potentially with goals in 'em.

Agreed.

[Concrete John]

Apologies John, I just started a thread asking the same.  I'll add my two pence worth here and we can carry on as normal (can the other thread be locked?)

No worries mate - if I had seen yours first I wouldn't have dragged the old one up.  And I see we've picked the same side and formation aswell.  However, I do think that CitizeN'Zogbia's side is more likely with AM in charge:-

                   Given

Hutton   Collins   Dunne   Warnock

        Jenas   Petrov   Delph

N'Zogbia                       Agbonlahor

                    Bent

[VillaZogmariner]

At home:

---------------------Given-----------------------
---Hutton---Dunne---Collins---Warnock---
---------------Petrov---Delph------------------
---Agbonlahor---Bannan---N'Zogbia--------
----------------------Bent-------------------------

Guzan, Clark, Herd/Cuellar, Ireland, Jenas, Albrighton, Heskey

Away:

Same Back 5

---Albrighton---Petrov---Jenas---Delph---N'Zogbia---
--------------------------Bent---------------------------------

Guzan, Clark, Herd/Cuellar, Agbonlahor, Ireland, Bannan, Heskey

[Concrete John]

The more I think about it, the more CitizeN'Zogbia's side make sense to me.

With a midfield three of Jenas, Petrov and Delph we'd be pretty solid with one sitter and two box to box players, who will also get back and (at least try to) tackle.  And also both are decent passers and can score goals.  It would aid Petrov as it would allow him to just sit and use his experience to read the game and make interceptions, thereby conserving his energy.  Bannan and Ireland could slot into the Delph/Jenas roles and I suppose it's Clark as cover for Petrov.

It would also be more of a genuine 4-3-3 and Albrighton could come in for either wide player as needed or for Bent with Gabby then going central.  Plus Heskey is there as that 'different' option.

Both fullbacks like to get forward aswell, so alongside what seems to be a back in form Collins and Dunne we'd have a good defence, mainly down to the way AM will drill them.

Looks a balanced side with some exciting players to me!

[VillaZogmariner]

John, I assume you mean Petrov as the "sitter", but he seems to be getting forward more now than he has done in a few seasons.