Starting Eleven? As it stands .....

[Bluemike]

People can add their starting line ups and change it as we sign players, mine is currently this......

Walton (God help us)

Johnson
Woolfenden
Greaves
Davis

Morsy
Luongo/Taylor (can't decide)

Hutchinson
Chaplin
Burns

Delap

[marko69]

Yes, Walton would essentially be League One to EPL. Hmmm.

Keeper “chat” must be happening soon.

[Bluemike]

And another CM, Downes would have been awesome

[AzzurroMark]

Personally, while not able to start every game, I'd like Tuanzebe to start alongside Greaves as my first choice.

[marko69]

And another CM, Downes would have been awesome

Would welcome him back with open arms. Very very good football player. Always rated him. And was always very clearly to even an uneducated football fan, far too good for League One.

Is he a possibility?

[shabba]

I think hutch might play the 10, we’ll bring in an AML.

A keeper and CM, plus the AML and suspect they’ll be the starting XI.

Delap as the main striker doesn’t fill me with confidence though.

[hallamblue]

I’ve put in “?” In certain positions because I think we may yet, still recruit into those areas … it’s a rapid and very expensive overhaul of the squad in preparation for PL. without doubt we have weaknesses in all sectors of team at this level and it’s almost impossible to upgrade it all, in one window.

For each “?” I’ve put represents a new player needed.


?/?

Johnson
Axel/?
Greaves
Davis

? / Morsy

Hutchinson
Chaplin /?
Burns / ?

Hirst /?

I think we could conceivably bring in 2GK’s with Walton.

We need another Rt CB to compete but I rate Axel as stronger than Woolfenden.

We need someone alongside Morsy. I’m not even sure how he will fair at PL ( his and Luongo legs aren’t what they were).

Can either Burns / Chaplin cut it at this level? Again I’m not sure.

Hirst I’ve gone for over Delap purely because he made our front three tick . There’s an innate understanding there between the three of them which will be crucial. Also, at 21, and new into the club I’m not sure Delap will be first choice to start with.

Our defence is the thing that worries me most . I personally would still like to see some experience PL quality CB and a LB coming in. As I say far too much for one window.

[hallamblue]

And another CM, Downes would have been awesome

Would welcome him back with open arms. Very very good football player. Always rated him. And was always very clearly to even an uneducated football fan, far too good for League One.

Is he a possibility?

Well there’s no signs that he’s signed for Saints yet is there. He has apparently spoken to McKenna in an unofficial capacity. Downes partner is an Ipswich girl, and is pregnant. New mums always want to be near their own mum … so who knows. Keep an eye on the Saints recruitment.

[Bluemike]

I don't think we'll be spending 20 Million on Delap to sit on the bench tbh, I think Hirst is gonna find the step up mighty tough.

[arana peligrosa]

Think Walton's the only goalkeeper we got at the moment. Slicker seems to have disappeared off scene and Nicky Hayes may well have been released or just proved surplus. The team needs another keeper in time for August, that's pretty much an imperative.

suppose Delap starts in attack as suggested, I'd think of names like Moore and Hirst to join in but the former may have gone back to his loan club. Jackson is still around if correct but never really took to him and just seems insufficient at EPL level. Chaplin won't be moved from midfield to his more natural position but it's served us well the whole time he's played further back.

Morsy and Burns in midfield is a must and one further time we've made some recent additions since promotion and players have gone through the exit with it so not always possible at certain time to fit all pieces of the puzzle together. Is Broadhead still a Town player, haven't seen too much mention of it. We should have some good attacking potential from August at least with the players that remain and / or those that are yet to come in. Hutchison and McKenna himself staying on for further time can only provide us a real good chance at the highest level when new season is finally underway.

[ITFC2024]

This is very difficult to predict. I think Ricco said maybe three CBs and two WBs, which I'd like but KM probably won't change formation. I am gonna wait until we complete a few more transfers(hopefully) before I decide. We definitely still need a striker, DM, LB(backup for Davis), and possibly a better backup GK than Walton.

[Bluemike]

Muric

Johnson
Woolfenden
Greaves
Davis

Morsy
Luongo/Taylor (can't decide)

Hutchinson
Chaplin
Burns

Delap

[Charnwood]

Muric

Johnson
Woolfenden
Greaves
Davis

Morsy
Luongo/Taylor (can't decide)

Hutchinson
Chaplin
Burns

Delap

The defence is looking better although personally I’d have Burgess in the side ahead of Woolfie. Midfield worries me a bit too but of course we’ve still a long way to go before the season starts on 17 August.

As for Muric I see this as a good signing.

[Bluemike]

I would have Burgess too, but him and Greaves are both Left sided.

[shabba]

I’d actually favour Axel and Greaves at CB.

I also don’t think Omari plays AML, he will play AMC or AMR.

I think someone will be signed for AML, Philogene was the target there.

a CM and AML and we are ok - anyone else will be to add numbers/depth.

Johnson and greaves can play LB so don’t see us getting another unless it’s a cheap backup.

[ITFC2024]

To be honest, I’m not really excited about the possible starting 11 we currently have. I know there’s still work to do and deals to be made, but in my opinion we’re short of survival right now. Sorry it’s just how I feel about it.

[hallamblue]

I’m feeling similar don’t worry…. Areas needing more
Rt CB
Midfield : defensive & attacking
Striker

[shabba]

To be honest, I’m not really excited about the possible starting 11 we currently have. I know there’s still work to do and deals to be made, but in my opinion we’re short of survival right now. Sorry it’s just how I feel about it.

I get you. I think once we have 2 more major signings (Cm and Aml) then we will feel happier. Plus a few extra for numbers /cover

[ITFC2024]

Taylor or Luongo to partner Morsy??? Chaplin starting every game, who’s his back up? Walton the back up keeper? No cover at LB? Delap and Hirst our only strikers??

I’m confident MA/KM are both aware of our weakness and are working diligently to get more strength in the door.

[ITFC2024]

Less than a month to go before the home opener v Liverpool

[Charnwood]

I would have Burgess too, but him and Greaves are both Left sided.

If they can’t play together then for me it would have to be Tuanzebe who is a far more talented defender than Woolfie and is more likely to be able to to up his game.Whilst we’re all feeling good about the signings we’ve made this thread actually highlights how fragile the squad still looks for a Premier League campaign. In fact even our strongest 11 still has more than half the team having played for us in League One which is great if they can make the grade but a huge risk. Covering injuries and suspensions will be another challenge which suggests more signings will follow.

[Bluemike]

Yes I think it highlights we are still a good 5 or 6 players short at least, but we have until the end of August to get it sorted and while we all like players in the door quickly it doesn't very often work like that, I'm sure there's more surprises to come.

[shabba]

Yes I think it highlights we are still a good 5 or 6 players short at least, but we have until the end of August to get it sorted and while we all like players in the door quickly it doesn't very often work like that, I'm sure there's more surprises to come.

Exactly.

Also you don't want to rip up the whole squad, they know KM, the way he plays - patterns of play etc and also have a good team spirit. We just need to add in some quality on top of it.

[marko69]

From what i have witnessed of Tuanzebe, (which granted, is no where close to what you guys have witnessed) ——>> really do not think he’ll cope in the EPL. Thought he was a bit of a liability in the Championship.
But…… , maybe just in the games i saw.

[Bluemike]

When discussing CB Marko you are spot on, he struggled and I wasn't impressed, at RB however, much much better.

[Charnwood]

Yes I think it highlights we are still a good 5 or 6 players short at least, but we have until the end of August to get it sorted and while we all like players in the door quickly it doesn't very often work like that, I'm sure there's more surprises to come.

TBH Mike I’m hoping a few of the boys who got us where we are can make the step up to the Prem and for me it will be sad if none make it. I know some see Tuanzebe with a mistake or two in him but for me he’s less of a liability than Woolfie, ideally they’ll both be squad players and not starters unless the errors can be eliminated.

I’m not sure how much loans are used in the Premier league, I’m guessing not much unless the players come from overseas, but that is another option to complete the squad. Time will tell.

[Bluemike]

I agree regarding Tuanzebe and Woolfenden, the former is the least likely to make a howler, history tells us that so as it stands there are positions up for grabs, I will be amazed if we don't see another CB arrive, which will almost certainly see Edmundson depart.

I'm pretty sure some of the current squad will make the step up and be more than competitive with the "lower half" Prem teams, for me Chaplin, Morsy, Burns, Broadhead, Davis, Hutchinson and even Taylor have it in them to not be out of their depth.

Delap and Johnson have Premier League experience too which is a plus, I just think we need a bit more to be comfortable and not struggling to survive, Two or Three wily Premier League players would make me very happy, where we get them from who knows.

I believe we are allowed Two loan players which we will no doubt utilise for sure, again KM will no doubt have some irons in the fire and use it wisely.

[Charnwood]

With loan players I can’t imagine any Premier League clubs loaning a player to a competitor team in the same league and a Championship player good enough to come to us wouldn’t ever be released to play at a higher level which takes me back to most likely coming from abroad.

Let’s hope we have some good overseas contacts working for us.

[ITFC2024]

My thoughts: Tuanzebe & Woolfy should both be back ups, not starters. Also, we’re still very weak in midfield. Some have suggested Taylor will step up, I’m not convinced. Chaplin runs hot & cold, at least he did in the Championship. Broadhead the same. So it’s critical we get at least two quality midfielders, a quality CB, a proven striker (a loan?) and probably another LB. I’d also like to see a better keeper than Walton as a backup.

Not sure we’ll get this done, time is running out. I worry, we may get beaten by multiple goals against the top teams. I don’t wanna experience another 9nil loss or worse. WTS, I know MA/KM will get it sorted. Right now, the future is looking bleak.

[Bluemike]

Chaplin hot and cold ? I don't think he was cold that often, Broadhead definitely.