06 Sep 2012 17:42:59
Just out of boredom, what would your first XI + Subs be if you had a fully fit squad to choose from?

Mine would be as follows:- 4-1-3-1-1

Llrois
Walker Kaboul Vertonghen BAE
Sandro
Lennon Dembele Bale
Dempsey
Ade

Subs:- Friedel, Naughton, Dawson,
Siggs, Parker, Defoe, Coulibily.

Don't think its a bad first XI, subs ain't either but after these 18 + 1-2 others (Livermore, Gallas etc)
the squad is a bit on the thin side. But maybe things ain't as bad as we fear. Should be goals in the line-up, Walker & Vert chip in with a couple each, Lennon and Dembele with 10 between them, Bale with 8-12, hopefully Dempsey and Ade with 10+ each (Being a bit conservative with Bale,Ade and Dempsey)

Hopefully Siggs will chip in with a fewas well as Defoe from the bench.

COYS

THFC4EVER

There is no reason to be negative! I think we will have a good season. I would play:

Lloris
Walker very kab bae
Lennon sandro dembele
Dempsey ade bale

Subs: friedel, caulker, Dawson, siggs,, Huddleston, parker, Defoe.

With Dempsey coming in and playing just behind ade a lot. The starting 11 has about 60 goals in it there (if you include verts goals) so I think we definitely have goals in the team.

I don't see how 4-1-3-1-1 would work as a formation, too narrow, but that would be my starting XI too.

4-2-3-1

Lloris
Walker Kaboul Vertonghen BAE
Sandro Dembele
Lennon Dempsey Bale
Ade

I don't like when people make comments on formations along the lines of "it seems to narrow". I think it's a bit of an over-simplification.

I mean the only difference in a 4-1-3-1-1 and a 4-4-2 is a striker dropping back and a midfielder dropping back, it doesn't really reduce the width or it doesn't have to if the wide players in the midfield push out.

Formations are fluid so just because a player starts in a position doesn't mean he will be rooted to the spot. The 4-1-3-1-1 and 4-4-2 could in practice be very similar. One of the two midfielders is likely to adopt a more defensive role and in the same way one if the strikers is likely to play off of the other, which would mean one dropping back.

I hope what we will see from villas-boas in the next game is a 4-3-3 as we know this is his preferred way to play. I will be interested to see who he plays in the wide-right attacking position as although Lennon seems like he might move in there he doesn't have the greatest final ball or finish.

Anyway I'm looking forward to see how villas-boas is going to play with his full squad at his disposal (assuming that Ade does get fit).

How about a 3 5 1 1

lloris
vertoghen gallas dawson
lennon sandro dembele livermore bale
dempsey
ade

based on fit players at mo. then when fit parker in for livermore and kaboul for gallas. Dont like walker being out so he could replace lennon and him and bale play as wing backs. both have enough in tanks to get up and down pitch.

ANT