Alisson TAA Quansah Van Dijk Robertson Mac Allister Jones Szoboszlai Salah Jota Diaz Wouldn't be surprised to see something from left field like Elliot starting instead of Jota though.
Best Guess; Sa Doherty () Mosquera Toti Ait-nouri Joao Gomes Lemina Hwang Cunha Rodrigo Gomes Strand Larsen Semedo would play but suspended for the first 3 games, I'd rather play Lima than Doherty but it's probably unlikely.
Flekken Ajer Collins Pinnock Janelt Jensen Norgaard Damsgaard Mbuemo Wissa Schade New season but still decimated by injuries. Still not got any fit full backs, Toney won’t start while we’re trying to sell him, and Thiago our replacement for him is out for 6 months. Pinnock / Janelt haven’t played the last couple of pre season games either so might need to start a youth teamer at CB and LB. Hopefully won’t be too many games till we get Rico and Hickey back. Both are training but not played yet in pre season. It’ll be a good time to play us really.
Think this is probably close. Nunez, gakpo and Diaz have not given themselves much chance by returning after the tour. Trent and vvd we will have to look at. For me vvd walks into the side but trent will have work to do positionally so bradley will push him. Elliott might push szoboszlai too. Basically we will have lots of options day 1 but the style and formation shouldn't be a shock at this point.
As we were from last season, save the odd knock: Neto Smith Zabarnyi Senesi Kerkez Cook Christie Semenyo Sinisterra Tavernier Solanke If Solanke moves or wants to sit it out pending a move that's another question. Semenyo might go up top or Unal/Jebbison comes in. I imagine any transfer will drag on and on though. The hope is having a consistent side will allow us to hit the ground running this time (in contrast to last season when it took us 10 games to get a win before we absolutely stormed up the table).
Pretty much this only debates are if Robbo makes it and the midfield with Elliott & Gravenberch in with a shout. Wouldn't be surprised to see Carvalho start on the left given he's been there all pre season.
The big names have 2 weeks to force their way in. It'll be interesting to see anyway Big last friendly day coming up
Muric Johnson Woolfenden Greaves Davis Morsy Taylor Harness Chaplin Hutchinson Delap Seems to be our lineup from the Hoffenheim game the other day. With Broadhead and Hirst injured, Delap picks himself and either Hutchinson or Harness will play on the left. If you said to me last season (or the one before) that Harness would be starting in the PL (or even still at the club) I wouldn’t have believed you but he seems to be preferred to Burns atm. Maybe a fitness thing and Burns will start instead by then. Luongo for Taylor is the other possibility. Still a bit thin on the ground though, particularly wide and in central midfield. Depending on Hirst’s injury we also need Ali to get fit quick or get another striker in. Lots of transfer work to do for us still.
On paper it looks like a mismatch for sure. And it is. Even if we do manage to get someone in to play left side it won’t change that scenario. Always a chance though, however unlikely. Thing about McKenna is he makes teams greater than the sum of the parts. He’s going to have to go some this season however.
I am probably being unfair as I don't know lots about your team but on paper i think you could do with a few more pl established names.
No idea as it already looks like we will have the same injuy issues as last year, so will unlikely get our strongest XI on the pitch in 2024.
No clue but would expect something similar against City. Sanchez Gusto Tosin Colwill Badiashile Caicedo Lavia Palmer Nkunku Sterling Jackson
I don’t disagree but I don’t see us going too far down that road. Firstly wages and fees but then about the long term development. He likes young players with good academy backgrounds, players he can coach, improve and add value to. I think that’s a really strong point of his management. For sure that’s not going to be everyone we sign and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a bit more experience added, but that’s the general trend. As with all newly promoted clubs however getting the players through the door without risking the club’s future is the hardest bit. I think people will be surprised by some of our players who they won’t necessarily know too much about, there’s some decent talent in there.
I guess a lot of how you will do will depend on how McKenna does in the step up in management levels. Will be interesting to watch anyway I am annoyed we have you away first though you'll be well up for it.
Henderson Richards - Andersen - Riad Munoz - - Doucoure - - Wharton - - Mitchell Kamada - - Eze Edouard
