Starting lineup

[Newbury Blade]

Yes, yes, I know it's two months away and we haven't a clue who Adkins will want to start with, and how many new players he will bring in … But for me the fascinating part of the next few weeks will be seeing how he shapes the squad and looking for indications of who he regards as the first few on the teamsheet. We won't really know until the pre-season games (which, unlike last season's shambles, should reveal what he thinks his best lineup is).

With only three or four people at most guaranteed a place, it's wide open with up to four players in contention for some positions. So here goes. I am assuming that everyone except for Brayford and Baxter are available, which knowing this lot may be an optimistic assumption. I am also assuming 4-4-2 for the moment though of course that may change.

New GK/Howard/Long/Willis

Freeman New CB New CB/Kennedy Harris/McEveley

New RW/Adams/JCR/Flynn Two from New CM/Basham/J Wallace/Reed/Cuvelier/Coutts/Scougall Murphy

Done New CF/McNulty/De Girolamo/Higdon

I will be surprised if he doesn't sign a new GK, CBx2, CM and CF, even though as others have argued it is likely that one or two unexpected players will amaze and delight us by blossoming under a new manager.

 

[HighfieldBlade]

And don't forget...Let's go for Che Adams up front!

 

[Jan Age]

GK - New signing
RB - Brayford/Freeman
CB - New Signing
CB - New Signing
LB - Harris
RW - Flynn
MD - Basham
MD - Scougall
LW - Murphy
ST - Done
ST - New signing

Subs
GK - Long
DF - Freeman/ Harris ( when Brayford fit)
DF - Kennedy
MD - Reed
MD - CL
MD/ATT - Adams
ATT - McNulty

 

[Jan Age]

GK - New signing
RB - Brayford/Freeman
CB - New Signing
CB - New Signing
RW - Flynn
MD - Basham
MD - Scougall
LW - Murphy
ST - Done
ST - New signing

Subs
GK - Long
DF - Freeman/ Harris ( when Brayford fit)
DF - Kennedy
MD - Reed
MD/ATT - Adams
ATT - McNulty

LB - Harris (stupid Phone)

 

[Gee]

Che up front, that will get us in the auto places won't it.
We should drop Matty Done for him as he can only get 20 goals a season.
Wow Che upfront I am looking forwards to next season already!!!.
Impact player maybe at best that needs bringing on some more yet.
That would do the lads carrier a lot of good, has a couple of mares and the fans start slating him. Goodbye young lads confidence. We need experience up front it is that simple.

 

[Mouth of the South]

Assuming Brayford will still be some way off in Aug, I'd prefer to see:

GK - New signing
RB - Freeman
CB - New Signing
CB - New Signing
LB - Harris
RW - New Signing
MD - Basham
MD - Coutts/Wallace
LW - Murphy
ST - Done
ST - New signing

 

[Barney]

New GK
Freeman, New CB, New CB, Harris
New RM, Basham, New CM, Murphy
Done, Adams

With a new decent striker for cover.

 

[Cyprus Blade]

Basham, Done, Murphy - rest all new

 

[ghandi]

Basham, Done, Murphy - rest all new

Never going to happen in a million years

 

[sheffielder]

Che up front, that will get us in the auto places won't it.
We should drop Matty Done for him as he can only get 20 goals a season.
Wow Che upfront I am looking forwards to next season already!!!.
Impact player maybe at best that needs bringing on some more yet.
That would do the lads carrier a lot of good, has a couple of mares and the fans start slating him. Goodbye young lads confidence. We need experience up front it is that simple.

Must have been all his experience that brought us back into the game at Swindon

 

[Gee]

Must have been all his experience that brought us back into the game at Swindon

See how good he is when the fans start at him for having a couple of bad games shall we. Is what he did against Swindon and Totenham not Impact like I suggested?. I go to both home and away games and when Che has started he has done nothing to suggest he is the super hero some people think he is.
I think whilst we're at it, don't play Basham in midfield as Reeds superb as well play him instead and make him captain at the same time. Auto places here we come......... Get real! They both need bringing on before you throw them to the Lions.

 

[Gavlar]

Che up front, that will get us in the auto places won't it.
We should drop Matty Done for him as he can only get 20 goals a season.
Wow Che upfront I am looking forwards to next season already!!!.
Impact player maybe at best that needs bringing on some more yet.
That would do the lads carrier a lot of good, has a couple of mares and the fans start slating him. Goodbye young lads confidence. We need experience up front it is that simple.

Only get 20 goals a season?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lol

Che Adams has huge potential, but no guarantees of the same, I cant believe Done is being knocked for only 20 goals with the crap we've had up front for the last few years.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Basham, Done, Murphy - rest all new

Cyprus , i don't know if it was said tongue in cheek or you meant it . The thing is , you do have a valid point.

The plus factor is that we have a manager who seems to have the experience and expertise for the battle ahead. He also is infectious and full of enthusiasm . The fear is , does he deal with us as a Southampton or a Reading . Out of the two , we are more like a Reading with a unbalanced squad of players , no real leaders , and a number of players who appeared not to be up for the fight , with a squad having more quantity than quality.

At Reading he had to chop and change on both team selection and tactics , which ultimately did not get the performances or results , and got him the sack.

The main issue Adkins has got to sort out , is to get rid of a lot of dead wood , take on board, that preventing conceding goals , is just as important as scoring them, and keeping the squad fresh and motivated. This means a set of new CB players , and not being dependant on 1no goal scorer .

The 3no players you mention of Basham , Done , Murphy are perhaps the only 3 players on Adkins team sheet at the moment . All the other positions are blank.

UTB

 

[Superblades]

Seeing as Brayford is out of play Flynn at RB with JCR at RM. They started playing well together and Flynn looked to have found a decent position in the team at RB.

 

[Gee]

Only get 20 goals a season?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lol

Che Adams has huge potential, but no guarantees of the same, I cant believe Done is being knocked for only 20 goals with the crap we've had up front for the last few years.

I was being sarcastic!!!

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Are we really looking to dominate a league by going 4-4-2? Everyone seems to be picking their side to fit.

 

[Gavlar]

I was being sarcastic!!!

oops, sorry fella. I think this calls for a whoosh for me ;o)

 

[Pinchy]

Seeing as Brayford is out of play Flynn at RB with JCR at RM. They started playing well together and Flynn looked to have found a decent position in the team at RB.

Agree about Flynn but, for me, Che and Murph get the wide positions if the season started tomorrow.

 

[joshua thompson]

GK - New signing
RB - Brayford/Freeman
CB - New Signing
CB - New Signing
LB - Harris
RW - Flynn
MD - Basham
MD - Scougall
LW - Murphy
ST - Done
ST - New signing

Subs
GK - Long
DF - Freeman/ Harris ( when Brayford fit)
DF - Kennedy
MD - Reed
MD - CL
MD/ATT - Adams
ATT - McNulty

I disagree slightly, keep basham cb that's his best position and sign an midfielder who will battle along with probably another that's more ball playing that the likes of coutts. I'd also sign another lb, Harris is good attacking but terrible defending and was shown against Swindon in both legs.when it goes to a striker I think one is needed however Adams and mccnulty could get a chance and should, especially if mccnulty can come up with goals like the one against chesterfield on a regular occurance, gk is also needed!

 

[Ashtonsmashton]

Just gonna go with a basic formation because I have no idea what Mr Adkins will go for

Gk- New signing but could see Long getting a chance
RB- freeman, until baryford gets back
CB- Collins or new signing
CB- Kennedy or new signing
LB - Harris
RM - new singing
CM - Basham
CM- reed or scougall
LM- Murphy, but if he goes new signing Or Done
St- McNulty or Done or Che Adams
St- new strong tall striker who is not higdon

 

[Bladesway]

Too many unknown variables but if we had a new keeper 2 centre halves, 1 central midfielder and another striker I'd say we were good to go.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Too many unknown variables but if we had a new keeper 2 centre halves, 1 central midfielder and another striker I'd say we were good to go.

Long was motm against Ranges, I know I only watched him twice but he seems to have maned up alot.