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Post by carcher on Aug 1, 2024 19:50:55 GMT
Curious to see what everyone’s ideal line up is for the start of the season? I myself have no idea what I would put out there. I think our squad depth for this season is definitely one of the best.
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Post by vandycandy on Aug 1, 2024 19:57:27 GMT
Curious to see what everyone’s ideal line up is for the start of the season? I myself have no idea what I would put out there. I think our squad depth for this season is definitely one of the best. It's the midfield for me that will be the biggest challenge because if we go with a midfield 3 it means 2 of Weeks, Glendon, Hancox, Bainbridge & Murray don't start. Obviously the back 6 picks itself. Mason, Hunter, Pollock, Williams, Rawlinson, Woodthorpe. |
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Post by mike2641990 on Aug 1, 2024 20:54:54 GMT
No Burke Vandycandy? I feel he's too good to be on the bench
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Post by devadiva on Aug 1, 2024 21:46:48 GMT
Have watched all the preseason games, including in IoM and think the most impressive player so far has been Woodthorpe.
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Post by league2 on Aug 1, 2024 22:03:15 GMT
Burke for Williams for me,when he's fit
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Post by borussiachester on Aug 1, 2024 22:04:28 GMT
Mason - Hunter, Williams, Rawlinson, Burke, Woodthorpe - Bainbridge, Glendon, Weeks - Willoughby, Turner
The main conundrum is who the best partner for Kurt will be, but I’d say Turner has been the most impressive of our strikers in preseason, and is also probably the most natural ‘supporting’ player, so I’d give him the nod. Harsh on Hancox, Murray and Pollock to miss out, but I just don’t see how you could include them ahead of any of the other players in that team.
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Post by devadiva on Aug 1, 2024 22:15:19 GMT
Mason - Hunter, Williams, Rawlinson, Burke, Woodthorpe - Bainbridge, Glendon, Weeks - Willoughby, Turner The main conundrum is who the best partner for Kurt will be, but I’d say Turner has been the most impressive of our strikers in preseason, and is also probably the most natural ‘supporting’ player, so I’d give him the nod. Harsh on Hancox, Murray and Pollock to miss out, but I just don’t see how you could include them ahead of any of the other players in that team. I think Peers and Willoughby are the same player - so I saw W starting with Caton tbh to get that mix of height and feeding off the knock downs. That said I can see Hunter doing as good a job as Caton - he seems to have a real hunters instinct in the 18yd box. Nice to have a dilemma about who to pay up front… |
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Post by borussiachester on Aug 1, 2024 22:41:45 GMT
Mason - Hunter, Williams, Rawlinson, Burke, Woodthorpe - Bainbridge, Glendon, Weeks - Willoughby, Turner The main conundrum is who the best partner for Kurt will be, but I’d say Turner has been the most impressive of our strikers in preseason, and is also probably the most natural ‘supporting’ player, so I’d give him the nod. Harsh on Hancox, Murray and Pollock to miss out, but I just don’t see how you could include them ahead of any of the other players in that team. I think Peers and Willoughby are the same player - so I saw W starting with Caton tbh to get that mix of height and feeding off the knock downs. That said I can see Hunter doing as good a job as Caton - he seems to have a real hunters instinct in the 18yd box. Nice to have a dilemma about who to pay up front… Presume you mean Turner rather than Hunter - but I pretty much agree with you, really. Most of Willoughby’s work is done off the ball, so we need someone good on the ball to compliment him - a front two of him and Peers would be too static for my liking, so I think the latter might have to settle for mostly being the impact sub, with a few occasional starts thrown in when Kurt is rested or to cover for injuries. In all honesty, I think that’s probably the role to which he’s best-suited in any case. It’ll be interesting to see how the new five-sun rule affects us. Although I very much disagree with its introduction, our newfound strength in depth means we could be one of the clubs to benefit from it the most in the short-term. |
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Post by vandycandy on Aug 1, 2024 22:45:45 GMT
No Burke Vandycandy? I feel he's too good to be on the bench I'd actually forgot about Burke. Apologies, see this is the trouble when you have so many good players.  |
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Post by Anders on Aug 1, 2024 23:10:38 GMT
I think Peers and Willoughby are the same player - so I saw W starting with Caton tbh to get that mix of height and feeding off the knock downs. That said I can see Hunter doing as good a job as Caton - he seems to have a real hunters instinct in the 18yd box. Nice to have a dilemma about who to pay up front… Presume you mean Turner rather than Hunter - but I pretty much agree with you, really. Most of Willoughby’s work is done off the ball, so we need someone good on the ball to compliment him - a front two of him and Peers would be too static for my liking, so I think the latter might have to settle for mostly being the impact sub, with a few occasional starts thrown in when Kurt is rested or to cover for injuries. In all honesty, I think that’s probably the role to which he’s best-suited in any case. It’ll be interesting to see how the new five-sun rule affects us. Although I very much disagree with its introduction, our newfound strength in depth means we could be one of the clubs to benefit from it the most in the short-term.National League only, NLN/S clubs voted against it according to Jim Green who replied to me on twitter about it. Still name 5 make 3 for us. |
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Post by devadiva on Aug 2, 2024 7:43:45 GMT
I think Peers and Willoughby are the same player - so I saw W starting with Caton tbh to get that mix of height and feeding off the knock downs. That said I can see Hunter doing as good a job as Caton - he seems to have a real hunters instinct in the 18yd box. Nice to have a dilemma about who to pay up front… Presume you mean Turner rather than Hunter - but I pretty much agree with you, really. Most of Willoughby’s work is done off the ball, so we need someone good on the ball to compliment him - a front two of him and Peers would be too static for my liking, so I think the latter might have to settle for mostly being the impact sub, with a few occasional starts thrown in when Kurt is rested or to cover for injuries. In all honesty, I think that’s probably the role to which he’s best-suited in any case. It’ll be interesting to see how the new five-sun rule affects us. Although I very much disagree with its introduction, our newfound strength in depth means we could be one of the clubs to benefit from it the most in the short-term. Thanks, yes I meant Turner not Hunter. |
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Post by Lobster on Aug 2, 2024 12:00:28 GMT
If we're talking about the ideal line-up I'd probably try and find a space for Messi, Mbappe and Haaland in the team.
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Post by superhans on Aug 2, 2024 12:16:09 GMT
For me I'd say a 532, something like:
Mason
Hunter Williams Rawlinson Burke Woodthorpe
Weeks Bainbridge Hancox
KW Caton
Some great options all over the pitch, maybe lacking a deputy RB though?
Murray and Glendon could easily swap in. Not sure who will be the best partner for KW but I think all have the potential to come in and do well.
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Post by chesterken on Aug 2, 2024 12:28:06 GMT
It’s mind boggling how much strength in depth we have in the squad, we can make like for like changes to cover injuries or completely change the way we are playing from the bench.
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Post by agl on Aug 2, 2024 15:10:25 GMT
Heywood gone out on loan to Hanley. Definitely a player there but from what I've seen needs to improve delivery/crossing if he's going to make it with us
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Post by vandycandy on Aug 2, 2024 15:27:40 GMT
We're going to have an incredibly strong bench.
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Post by Rio Doherty on Aug 2, 2024 15:28:17 GMT
My preferred XI is as follows:
GK - Cam Mason
RWB - Jordan Hunter
CB - Matty Williams
CB - Connell Rawlinson
CB - Harrison Burke
LB - Nathan Woodthorpe
CM - Declan Weeks
CM - Jack Bainbridge
CM - Mitch Hancox
FW - Kurt Willoughby
FW - Dan Turner.
Was hard to pick that as we have so much strength in depth, which is a good problem to have. It really goes to show how much quality our squad has, when the likes of Ben Pollock, George Glendon, Tom Peers, Iwan Murray, and Charlie Caton may not be starters for us. My toughest call was deciding on who to be our final centre-back between Pollock and Harrison Burke. Pollock has a lot of experience in this league and won the most aerial duels last season, so he’d walk into any side in this division. But last season Burkey was a rock at the back, and formed a formidable partnership with Matty Williams, so it’d be very harsh to drop him next week.
Jack Bainbridge has been one of our standouts in pre-season, as he’s been tough in the tackle, while he has provided our midfield with some much-needed steel and a physical presence. He deserves to start because he can play deep as well, which should enable Declan Weeks to play further up the pitch (where he’s far more effective). Nathan Woodthorpe’s been great in pre-season too, but unlike Jordan Hunter, he isn’t an attacking wing-back so I’d play Mitch Hancox on the left side of our midfield, because he can go forward while Nathan does his job at the back.
The other head-scratcher was deciding on who to partner Kurt Willoughby up top. Tom Peers has looked sharp in pre-season and has found the net a few times, but he’s a similar type of player to Kurt, so I wouldn’t start those two together. It goes without saying that Peers would be a great option off the bench though. Charlie Caton has pace and formed a solid partnership with Kurt in his first spell, but he’s got to stay injury-free. Therefore, I’d start Dan Turner alongside Willoughby, as he’s looked pacy and dynamic out wide, which’d suit Kurt perfectly given he’s more prolific when playing centrally.
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chewy
New Member
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Post by chewy on Aug 2, 2024 16:41:39 GMT
I expect all of the CB’s to get plenty of game time so there will be a lot of flexing to keep players fresh but expect Rawlinson & Pollock to start
Assuming we play 5-3-2 so toss up between Burke and Williams
Fully expect us to play 4-3-1-2 against certain opponents (or if chasing a game) with Glendon replacing one of the CB’s
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Post by bryndjones on Aug 2, 2024 16:57:34 GMT
Caton and Kurt up top. Caton was an assist machine for The King in 22-23.
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Post by muzzy28 on Aug 2, 2024 17:21:16 GMT
No pollock in anyones starting 11 which i find strange...the best cb in the league last season going off his data! Hes not come here to warm the bench i'll tell you that! Williams and burke are still learning and still young. Rawlinson and pollock will be some partnership in my opinion
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Post by Imperial on Aug 2, 2024 18:10:25 GMT
No pollock in anyones starting 11 which i find strange...the best cb in the league last season going off his data! Hes not come here to warm the bench i'll tell you that! Williams and burke are still learning and still young. Rawlinson and pollock will be some partnership in my opinion Don’t disagree reference Pollock but Williams is 24, hardly young & learning. |
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Post by boughtonblue on Aug 2, 2024 18:28:35 GMT
No pollock in anyones starting 11 which i find strange...the best cb in the league last season going off his data! Hes not come here to warm the bench i'll tell you that! Williams and burke are still learning and still young. Rawlinson and pollock will be some partnership in my opinion Agree with this. |
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Post by Harry Lime on Aug 2, 2024 18:33:21 GMT
Agree with Muzzy regarding Pollock. I can't see Rawlinson and Pollock not playing most games. Bear in mind we've not really faced an aerial threat in pre-season. They've been different games to what we might expect, especially away from home.
I actually think signing Rawlinson has caused Cal a problem. It was too good an opportunity to sign him when we had the chance, but means one or two really good players will miss out. Two if we play a back four. Can't see how that is going to work out. Strange to think we had the best defence in the division last season, and may have changed all of it this season.
I think Cal will likely go
Mason, Hunter, Williams, Rawlinson, Pollock, Woodthorpe.
Bainbridge, Weeks, Glendon, Willoughby, Peers/Caton.
If he plays a four I'd expect Hancox to come in instead of a centre half.
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Post by carcher on Aug 2, 2024 19:30:28 GMT
A big but good headache for cal, personally I just couldn’t leave out Harrison Burke myself
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Post by muzzy28 on Aug 2, 2024 19:57:43 GMT
Mine would be
Mason
Hunter
Williams
Rawlinson
Pollock
Burke/woodthorpe
Bainbridge
Hancox
Weeks
Willoughby
Caton
The keeper picks himself,
The back four out five pick themselves, toss of a coin between burke and woodthorpe. Think burkes squad number being 3, indicates he'll be more of a full back this season competing with woodthorpe for the left back spot.
Think bainbridge is a nailed on to sit in front of the defence in the 6 position.
Then its anyones choice of weeks, hancox, glendon & murrey. I think hancox is first on the teamsheet out of the 4 coming in from Alty a league above and hardly missing a game for them last season. I think weeks will play alongside hancox.
Up top we finally have some choice, willoughby is a must its just a question of who partners him? Its out of caton and turner for me. Just edging caton on this one as hes linked up well with willoughby in the past plus a fit charlie caton is a handful. I think peers will be more influential coming off the bench 20 minutes to go fresh legs and he wont stop running.
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Post by RonD on Aug 3, 2024 7:01:56 GMT
Presume you mean Turner rather than Hunter - but I pretty much agree with you, really. Most of Willoughby’s work is done off the ball, so we need someone good on the ball to compliment him - a front two of him and Peers would be too static for my liking, so I think the latter might have to settle for mostly being the impact sub, with a few occasional starts thrown in when Kurt is rested or to cover for injuries. In all honesty, I think that’s probably the role to which he’s best-suited in any case. It’ll be interesting to see how the new five-sun rule affects us. Although I very much disagree with its introduction, our newfound strength in depth means we could be one of the clubs to benefit from it the most in the short-term.National League only, NLN/S clubs voted against it according to Jim Green who replied to me on twitter about it. Still name 5 make 3 for us. Interesting re subs. Not doubting Jim, but Jonno thinks it is seven named and five can be used. See four minutes in. |
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Post by Rimmer on Aug 3, 2024 7:41:58 GMT
I think Jonno is correct
“A club at its discretion may use five substitute players at any time in a match.
"Substitution can only be made when play is stopped for any reason and the referee has given permission.
"A maximum of (seven) substitutes may be nominated and they must be included on the official team-sheet handed to the referee before the match”.
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Post by avfo on Aug 3, 2024 13:04:37 GMT
Presume you mean Turner rather than Hunter - but I pretty much agree with you, really. Most of Willoughby’s work is done off the ball, so we need someone good on the ball to compliment him - a front two of him and Peers would be too static for my liking, so I think the latter might have to settle for mostly being the impact sub, with a few occasional starts thrown in when Kurt is rested or to cover for injuries. In all honesty, I think that’s probably the role to which he’s best-suited in any case. It’ll be interesting to see how the new five-sun rule affects us. Although I very much disagree with its introduction, our newfound strength in depth means we could be one of the clubs to benefit from it the most in the short-term.National League only, NLN/S clubs voted against it according to Jim Green who replied to me on twitter about it. Still name 5 make 3 for us. Non-League paper May 2024 'Following a recent Written Resolution and two surveys, The Vanarama National League have confirmed a change to the 2024/25 season. Step 1 clubs will now be able to name a maximum of seven substitutes, of which five will be allowed to be used with the referee's permission. The previous law saw five substitutes named with only three allowed to feature. The new motion passed with 18 member clubs in favour and six against'. |
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Post by Lobster on Aug 3, 2024 15:03:18 GMT
National League only, NLN/S clubs voted against it according to Jim Green who replied to me on twitter about it. Still name 5 make 3 for us. Non-League paper May 2024 'Following a recent Written Resolution and two surveys, The Vanarama National League have confirmed a change to the 2024/25 season. Step 1 clubs will now be able to name a maximum of seven substitutes, of which five will be allowed to be used with the referee's permission. The previous law saw five substitutes named with only three allowed to feature. The new motion passed with 18 member clubs in favour and six against'. We're Step 2, aren't we? That said, don't the NL have a strange procedure of aggregating the NLN and NLS vote into just four votes. So it wouldn't surprise me if they introduced it at out level even if clubs voted against it! Hopefully we'll find out by next Saturday! |
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Post by Curva Nord on Aug 3, 2024 15:30:20 GMT
Good, gives us more options off the bench, involves more of the squad so not as many are left out on match day and they're sitting about being paid not to play. Don't see the drama
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