First Choice 11

[Bigelvesy]

There seems to be two different narratives amongst this crowd at the moment, the first “There’s too much loyalty to Championship players” and then the contradictory “Simms ahead of Awoniyi or Sakamoto ahead of Loum T” etc.

So it’s made me wonder, knowing only what you know now, with a fully fit squad in your opinion, what is our strongest starting 11 and bench and in a home game, against a team in and around us (e.g a game we should be expecting to win) what formation are you playing them in?

For me:

Rushworth
MvE Thomas Pinnock Da Silva
Yirenki Onyeka
Sakamoto Rudoni Gboho
Wright

Bentley, Mfuni, Kesler-Hayden, Amenda, Torp, Grimes, Tchaouna, Cherif, Awoniyi

 

[SkyBlueCharlie9]

Rushworth
MVE, Bobby, Pinnock, JDS
Mufini,
Yirenki. Oneyeka
Rudoni. Gboho
Cherif

 

[skybluecam]

Rushworth
MVE, Bobby, Pinnock, JDS
Mufini,
Yirenki. Oneyeka
Rudoni. Gboho
Cherif

Honking

Mfuni DM and Rudoni RW

 

[SkyBlueCharlie9]

Honking

Mfuni DM and Rudoni RW

Actually not what it seems.
Mfuni flexible partly as a back 3 and CDM bit like Grimes does.
Rudoni as sort of two 10s playing right or left side of striker and to help flood midfield perhaps alternate with Gboho (or Asante) to create a bit of unpredictability in attack, which we didnt have saturday.
Just short term til we get a few points before going back to more wingers.
Sunderland looked well up for game yesterday and defended really well so will be harder game than Fulham and they may well be better than position suggests.
Just a bit of fun, and easier said than done. Lampard will probably stick with system and wingers anyway which has its merit in not throwing everything out with the bathwater.

 

[Skybluecov1]

It seems Rudoni has a bit of free role under Lampard where he can go wherever he wants and that's where we aim the attack to try and get an overload.
There seemed a few times on Saturday where Rudoni went over to either wing and we just couldn't get the ball over to create that.

Our biggest issue is we lack a bit of creativity when Rudoni does this. Maybe Hamer was brought in to do this I don't know and he's just not up to the level of fitness FL wants?

 

[lowblocklounge]

As time has gone on and the more I've seen of mfuni, i do think he could play a DM role for us. He's very good on the ball, so calm and collected, he looked great when he came on Saturday. I don't think it ridiculous to assume he couldn't play there for us and play well.

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

For me, I would be looking at a 5-2-2-1.

Rushworth
Amenda - Thomas - Pinnock
Yirenkyi - Onyeka - Torp - Dasilva
Rudoni - Ghobo
Cherif

 

[coop]

Rudoni is far more affective playing the FL role of arriving in the box getting on the end of crosses him keep moving out to the wings gives us one against 5 in the box hence why every cross was pointless Saturday.

 

[Shannerz]

We've looked best with five at the back.

Not sure why so many are including Gboho. No-one's really seen him. I don't doubt there are very good reasons for that.

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

We've looked best with five at the back.

Not sure why so many are including Gboho. No-one's really seen him. I don't doubt there are very good reasons for that.

Me personally, feel we don’t have any other good (at least on paper) options as the left sided 10

 

[AOM]

We've looked best with five at the back.

Not sure why so many are including Gboho. No-one's really seen him. I don't doubt there are very good reasons for that.

Yeah, agreed. Not seen enough of Gboho or Tchaouna yet really to decide if they're starting quality. Gboho especially.
Would like to see them given more gametime though so we can see what they're about.

Amenda looked class from minute one though imo.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Actually not what it seems.
Mfuni flexible partly as a back 3 and CDM bit like Grimes does.
Rudoni as sort of two 10s playing right or left side of striker and to help flood midfield perhaps alternate with Gboho (or Asante) to create a bit of unpredictability in attack, which we didnt have saturday.
Just short term til we get a few points before going back to more wingers.
Sunderland looked well up for game yesterday and defended really well so will be harder game than Fulham and they may well be better than position suggests.
Just a bit of fun, and easier said than done. Lampard will probably stick with system and wingers anyway which has its merit in not throwing everything out with the bathwater.

Mfuni for the Grimes role

 

[Shannerz]

Me personally, feel we don’t have any other good (at least on paper) options as the left sided 10

But you still can't include an unknown quantity in your best 11. You don't know.

I suspect the issue is that it's thought he won't offer what we need off the ball.

For all BTA's limitations, his work-rate has been pivotal to our best performances. We have to out-work teams at the least.

 

[SeaSeeEffCee]

Wilson
Van Ewijk
Latibeaudiere
Woolfenden
Dasilva
Grimes
Hamer
Torp
Sakamoto
Simms
Thomas-Asante

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

But you still can't include an unknown quantity in your best 11. You don't know.

I suspect the issue is that it's thought he won't offer what we need off the ball.

For all BTA's limitations, his work-rate has been pivotal to our best performances. We have to out-work teams at the least.

I posted about this a bit of the Lampard thread but I completely agree with the out working comment.

Currently our tackles, distance and sprints are some of the lowest in the league. We do need to start battling and working harder in games.

 

[RJASkyblue]

Been thinking about this for a while, and what Rudi offers us and doesn't offer us. I would play him as a Centre Forward/False 9 telling him to stay within the parameters of the 18 yard box, and 2 authentic wingers, with 3 proper midfield players. By him playing as a "10" he floats out to the wings too much as well as leaving us being overrun in midfield. He is very good in the air, so I think this would give us more options, and also stop him running all over the pitch.

Thus, my team for Saturday would be, assuming Bobby is out:

Rushworth
KKH Pinnock Mfuni JDS
Onyeka Torp Yirenki
Tats Rudi Gboho

Makes us more solid as an orthodox 4-3-3.

 

[Sick Boy]

Wilson
Van Ewijk
Latibeaudiere
Woolfenden
Dasilva
Grimes
Hamer
Torp
Sakamoto
Simms
Thomas-Asante

#thefans11

 

[skybluecam]

Been thinking about this for a while, and what Rudi offers us and doesn't offer us. I would play him as a Centre Forward/False 9 telling him to stay within the parameters of the 18 yard box, and 2 authentic wingers, with 3 proper midfield players. By him playing as a "10" he floats out to the wings too much as well as leaving us being overrun in midfield. He is very good in the air, so I think this would give us more options, and also stop him running all over the pitch.

Thus, my team for Saturday would be, assuming Bobby is out:

Rushworth
KKH Pinnock Mfuni JDS
Onyeka Torp Yirenki
Tats Rudi Gboho

Makes us more solid as an orthodox 4-3-3.

Now we’re playing Rudoni false 9! Keep these coming lads they’re hilarious!

 

[RJASkyblue]

Now we’re playing Rudoni false 9! Keep these coming lads they’re hilarious!

Don't know what is hilarious about it. Also, for your knowledge, where did he play against Forest?

Instead of ridiculing everyone why don't you give us your best XI.

 

[Skybluecov1]

Been thinking about this for a while, and what Rudi offers us and doesn't offer us. I would play him as a Centre Forward/False 9 telling him to stay within the parameters of the 18 yard box, and 2 authentic wingers, with 3 proper midfield players. By him playing as a "10" he floats out to the wings too much as well as leaving us being overrun in midfield. He is very good in the air, so I think this would give us more options, and also stop him running all over the pitch.

Thus, my team for Saturday would be, assuming Bobby is out:

Rushworth
KKH Pinnock Mfuni JDS
Onyeka Torp Yirenki
Tats Rudi Gboho

Makes us more solid as an orthodox 4-3-3.

No, just no!

You ideally want your striker to be able to hold the ball up when we play it long to transfer the pressure. Admittedly we haven't got anyone who can do that every time yet, but this is just a joke!

Rudoni goes on the wings to create an overload so we can transfer the ball over then if you watch him, he will then creep into the box

 

[Ashdown]

You see some of the variations here and people wonder why Frank is struggling to work it out right now.
Rushworth , MVE, Thomas, Amenda, Da Silva, Torp, Rudoni, Saka, Yirenkyi, Cherif, Wright.

 

[RJASkyblue]

No, just no!

You ideally want your striker to be able to hold the ball up when we play it long to transfer the pressure. Admittedly we haven't got anyone who can do that every time yet, but this is just a joke!

Rudoni goes on the wings to create an overload so we can transfer the ball over then if you watch him, he will then creep into the box

We are all entitled to our views and I respect yours. We did play at Forest without a Centre Forward, Rudi was one of the floating 3, and we did create quite a few chances especially in the 1st half. I would like to see him in the box more because he is currently our best header of the ball within the front players, and I don't remember him having a headed chance in the past few games.

 

[RJASkyblue]

You see some of the variations here and people wonder why Frank is struggling to work it out right now.
Rushworth , MVE, Thomas, Amenda, Da Silva, Torp, Rudoni, Saka, Yirenkyi, Cherif, Wright.

The problem with your team is that at least 2 of them, possibly 3, are still out long term.

 

[Ashdown]

The problem with your team is that at least 2 of them, possibly 3, are still out long term.

Indeed but I think the original post just asked for your best team from our squad regardless of current fitness

 

[RJASkyblue]

Indeed but I think the original post just asked for your best team from our squad regardless of current fitness

Looking at the teams everyone has picked I think they are looking at the best team for Sunderland .

 

[fernandopartridge]

Rudoni is far more affective playing the FL role of arriving in the box getting on the end of crosses him keep moving out to the wings gives us one against 5 in the box hence why every cross was pointless Saturday.

This is a good point, I was thinking about whether Yirenki has ever got into a crossing position as yet? I know we get Grimes trying those deep crosses but it shouldn't be Rudoni always depended on to create the overload, like you say he is really dangerous in the box but he's rarely there.

 

[Ashdown]

So much went through Rudoni on Saturday we became predictable. He’s playing well but he can’t do it all.

 

[RJASkyblue]

This is a good point, I was thinking about whether Yirenki has ever got into a crossing position as yet? I know we get Grimes trying those deep crosses but it shouldn't be Rudoni always depended on to create the overload, like you say he is really dangerous in the box but he's rarely there.

If he is there most of our crosses never beat the first man. We must have the worst stats for accurate crossing, not only from open play, but also free kicks & corners. For a team with the best set play stats last season we just don't look like scoring from one this season. Another reason why we should play Torp .

 

[mmttww]

Breen
Breen
Breen
Breen
Breen
Breen
Breen
Breen
Breen
Breen
Breen

 

[shmmeee]

If he is there most of our crosses never beat the first man. We must have the worst stats for accurate crossing, not only from open play, but also free kicks & corners. For a team with the best set play stats last season we just don't look like scoring from one this season. Another reason why we should play Torp .

It was glaringly obvious we needed a set piece taker in the summer tbh

 

[Cov. Kids. Never. Quit]

Rudoni is far more affective playing the FL role of arriving in the box getting on the end of crosses him keep moving out to the wings gives us one against 5 in the box hence why every cross was pointless Saturday.

Exactly this, last season Rudoni was his most effective when playing in and around the box.

We don't need him playing in the left back position like he did when Fulham scored their goal.

 

[RJASkyblue]

It was glaringly obvious we needed a set piece taker in the summer tbh

We have one, Torp . The problem is many people think he shouldn't start. I was watching the Manchester Women's game last night and they were taking better corners than us.

 

[shmmeee]

We have one, Torp . The problem is many people think he shouldn't start. I was watching the Manchester Women's game last night and they were taking better corners than us.

He didn’t start in the Championship so it was always going to be an ask for him to start a division higher. Just think we missed a trick not signing any CMs other than a 20 year old who isn’t particularly technical.

 

[RJASkyblue]

He didn't always start in the Championship and still got 10 goals . I actually think his technical ability will be even more suited to the Premier League. Until we give him a go we won't really know. After all, he was our best player against Villa in the Carabao Cup, and their midfield included McGinn, Barkley, then brought on Manzambi, £50 million who is now getting rave reviews & Buendia.

 

[JSL]

Missing out on Ross Barkley now looks a mistake and several on here poo pooed it when it was rumoured.