First Choice?

[chrisw1]

I haven't seen all the friendlies, but am I right in thinking that Mings and Torres haven't played together yet as a conventional centre back pairing?

[chrisw1]

I can see all sorts of combinations and my bet would be on Kamara, Luiz and McGinn starting against Newcastle with Tielemans coming on later.

I think they'll all start, with Tielemans in the Ramsey role.  I hope so anyway.

[brontebilly]

I can see all sorts of combinations and my bet would be on Kamara, Luiz and McGinn starting against Newcastle with Tielemans coming on later.

I think they'll all start, with Tielemans in the Ramsey role.  I hope so anyway.

That's a fudge though. Really it's Luiz v Tielemans (as we still need a ball winner/physical presence in there with Kamara for most games). There aren't many clubs in the PL with those kind of options. McGinn did well for us next to Luiz last season but he's better further up like he when he destroyed Burn from Newcastle.

There's another fudge developing at the back with Torres v Mings. With Moreno out, it does give an option of squeezing Torres out there but that's only temporary as Moreno contributes a lot going forward. Don't think Emery rates Digne all that much, which I'd be in agreement with. I just remember MON at this kind of craic with likes of Cuellar and NRC in years gone by, squeezing them into the team at RB but weakening balance of the team as a result.

I'd fully support if Emery was going to rotate a squad of 18-20 players all season where we rarely see the same X1 play two games in a row.

[chrisw1]

I don't think it's a fudge at all.  Tielemans is most similar to Luiz, but he can definitely play more advanced and I think it may work well against the stronger teams.

[wittonwarrior]

Pretty sure that Emery isn't 100% sure so how can we guess.

[tomd2103]

Would think that the team that starts at Valencia will pretty much be the team for next Saturday.  Would expect them to play together for 60ish minutes before the subs start.

[N'ZMAV]

Ideally, if we could move on Dendoncker, Coutinho and Traore - and bring in one more forward. That'd be ace.
Would like another right back, but Cash is looking good and Chambers is decent cover albeit different

[N'ZMAV]

we need a bigger squad with 38 league games, at least 2 cup games and likely to be a raft of european games

[dicedlam]

Ideally, if we could move on Dendoncker, Coutinho and Traore - and bring in one more forward. That'd be ace.
Would like another right back, but Cash is looking good and Chambers is decent cover albeit different

Maybe Dendoncker and Traore, but I wouldn't be selling Coutinho anytime soon, unless the Saudis offer stupid money.

[Footy-Vill]

 Martinez, Pau Torres, Douglas Luiz, Youri Tielemans, John McGinn, Mo Diaby, and Ollie Watkins are the players that come to mind as First Choice
When Moreno is fit, I would include him as well.
Emery has signed four of these players, therefore I think they are first choicers and the other 4 are essential to the team.

So there leaves 3 positions open for rotation based on systems, strategies, and availability.
As the 8 players I consider to be first choices too will also be rotated in terms of being rested and sometimes left out from minor matches, and of course when they are injured or suspended.

The whole squad will be utilised every match and all season but I've chosen 8 of 11 first choice players who Emery sees as his core and spine, who I champion will be played in the important and biggest games, and who are generally the strongest players in Emery's system and playing methods: football.

[Louzie0]

I’m crap at this, sorry Footy.
I don’t want to sell anybody!

[Footy-Vill]

I’m crap at this, sorry Footy.
I don’t want to sell anybody!

Not at all. I agree in some ways!  Though I am referencing first choicers rather than advocating selling players who aren't starting.

[Astnor]

Team and squad for Newcastle based on the friendlies:
Martinez - Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne - McGinn, Kamara, Luiz, Buendia - Diaby, Watkins
Bench: Olsen - Chambers, Carlos, Torres - Tielemans, Couthino, Bailey - Jaden Philogene, Archer
Injuried or not fit yet: Moreno, Ramsey, Dendoncker, Traore, Duran

[AV84]

Ideally, if we could move on Dendoncker, Coutinho and Traore - and bring in one more forward. That'd be ace.
Would like another right back, but Cash is looking good and Chambers is decent cover albeit different

Maybe Dendoncker and Traore, but I wouldn't be selling Coutinho anytime soon, unless the Saudis offer stupid money.

That's the problem isn't it. The one we'd like to sell the least is the one we'd probably get the most money for. We'd probably get as much from an oil state for Coutinho as we would from European clubs for the other 2 combined .

[Astnor]

When Ramsey comes back and regain his place on midfield left and Buendia might get the nod just ahead of Diaby as a 10 we go the same team as we had when we ended last season so strongly. Not easy to buy players to improve that team then.