What was our best starting 11 last season (or the two years before that)?
This time last year there'd be debates over the best keeper, the best back four and how to set up the midfield. This year the only real debate is about perhaps Basey or a new left back coming in for Youga, and Shelvey behind Burton or Burton/Gray with McLeod/Dickson.
For once we know what our best team is, and most fans agree. Obviously that's partly down to a lack of options, but we probably won't have more than 3 or 4 signings at the most, and they won't change the shape and set up of the team much at all.
Although it's mainly down to lack of options, it does looks as though Parky knows what our best XI is and what formation to use and more importantly, unlike Pardew, is sticking with it.
In August, the starting XI is what you're measured on. Post-new year, it's the depth in the squad. All we know so far is that the first XI seems able to compete.
[cite]Posted By: Telnotinoz[/cite]Maybe we have found our level with the players we have at our disposal?
For me Racon, Shelvey, Bailey and Dailly are all Championship players, Sam and Semedo should be and are on their day, Burton isn't when it comes to goalscoring but the rest of his game is.
I guess it could be argued that Elliot and Llera are League One standard, and I think most would agree Youga is.
Problem is after that Gray is the only striker that anyone might suggest is Championship quality, and we haven't seen much of Small at all. Rest of the squad is youngsters and players like Spring and Sinclair who are probably League One players as well.
So first 11 would compete in the Championship, as a squad though we'd struggle with injuries and suspensions to more than one or two first eleven players.
Comments
This time last year there'd be debates over the best keeper, the best back four and how to set up the midfield. This year the only real debate is about perhaps Basey or a new left back coming in for Youga, and Shelvey behind Burton or Burton/Gray with McLeod/Dickson.
For once we know what our best team is, and most fans agree. Obviously that's partly down to a lack of options, but we probably won't have more than 3 or 4 signings at the most, and they won't change the shape and set up of the team much at all.
It looks like that's the very thing Parky is now beginning to achieve.
And he seems to have the dressing room.
The players performances suggest that they are right behind him.
For me Racon, Shelvey, Bailey and Dailly are all Championship players, Sam and Semedo should be and are on their day, Burton isn't when it comes to goalscoring but the rest of his game is.
I guess it could be argued that Elliot and Llera are League One standard, and I think most would agree Youga is.
Problem is after that Gray is the only striker that anyone might suggest is Championship quality, and we haven't seen much of Small at all. Rest of the squad is youngsters and players like Spring and Sinclair who are probably League One players as well.
So first 11 would compete in the Championship, as a squad though we'd struggle with injuries and suspensions to more than one or two first eleven players.