What do you think is our best line-up?

[Merv]

If we're looking at our strongest team this season based on player performance, and the results certain players have helped achieve, you can't look too further away from not3bad's X1 there. Ireland and Bannan started the Newcastle game, Swansea and Sunderland. Our midfield seems to perform better with them in it.

Westwood has promise but not shown enough yet to dislodge KEA (or anyone else in CM), while Lichaj has generally looked steadier than Bennett. The toughest decision, for me, is including both Holman and Weimann, because I think both deserve to start but it's fitting them in. I still think Holman could be an option instead of Ireland on occasion.

Be interesting to do this again in another dozen games.

[gabbythelegend]

Guzan

Lowton
Vlaar
Clark
Lichaj

Westwood
KEA

Weimann
Bannan
Agbonlahor

Benteke

I do like Ireland, but I think Bannan could be a great no.10, and I'd like to develop him there. Scottish Messi blahblahetc.

[Matt Collins]

I don't think bannan will be effective in the no 10 role. He doesn't have the running power. I tend to agree 4231 with benteke up front. I've been a big fan of Holman but not sure he's suited to the wide right role as his main quality is his sheer hard work and I think that's more effective centrally. You'd have to hope n'zogbia could take the place on the right in a fairly fluid formation with him and gabby able to interchange with Ireland behind benteke.

I think the only way bent can play in that 4231 is if we improve pretty massively in midfield, to the extent that we don't need to play off a front man. I see this as being some way off!

[Villadam]

2 strikers is a thing of the past now and with benteke being far better than bent holding the ball up, flicking the ball on i just dont see a place for bent. how west wood played against sunderland i think he should be in the next game and keep his place if he can continue form. I also think lichaj is far too slow to play full back in the prem and if bennett injured give stevens the push.

Guzan
Lowton - Vlaar - Clark - Bennett/Stevens
KEA - Westwood
Weimann/Nzogbia - Ireland - Gabby
Benteke

[olaftab]

Guzan
Lowton, Vlaark, Clark, Anyone
KEA, Bannan, Ireland, Holman
Weimann, Benteke

[pedro25]

               Guzan
Lowton Vlaar Clark Bennett
        Westwood KEA
    Bannan Ireland Gabby
               Benteke

Subs (in order of closest to 1st 11) Holman Weimann Bent N'Zogbia Given Lichaj Delph

[pedro25]

Sorry too much time on my hands.

2nd eleven

                Given
Lichaj Dunne Baker Stevens
           Herd Delph
 Weimann Holman N'Zogbia
                 Bent

3rd eleven
                         Marshall
              Hutton Williams Warnock
Albrighton Gardner Petrov Makoun Carruthers
                  Bowery Delfouneso

Subs Grealish Johnson Burke etc

[peter w]

I don't know and it's possible that Lambert doesn't either. Injuries and suspensions give him the chance to put in players who may not have been in his first team plans, and if like Bannan and Westwood they grab their chance and it works then it looks like a master stroke.