Starting XI

[DonnyBazR0ver]

  Five new players in that team that have only been watched playing against non league sides who play two, three, and four levels below the level we are at this season.
  The next two games starting with todays match should give a better idea of where we are at, and if the new lads are all that.
  When you look at Peterborough's result at Peterborough Sport compared with ours it's not good optics to get carried away with.
We have lost Street, Anderson, Olowu, and a keeper who were four of our stand out players over last season plus Crew who finished the season well, only time will tell if we are as strong as we were at the end of last season which is the standard we will have to match to be even safe at this higher standard.
  Only in the last period of last season did some of the players we signed last season such as Sbarra and Gibson start to become the players we hoped they were when we signed them,  the same with the keeper who improved dramatically and Crew who took time to settle in.

Agree. I think the big question marks are with the central defense and how they operate as a back 5 including keeper. How well they play whoever is selected will play a big part in how Sterry and Maxwell can trust them and get forward.

By the looks, we've got options in midfield which makes me think Bailey will play CB to set the standard in that first game at least. We finished strongly because he held things together well at the back, giving us the platform for the attacking players to do their stuff. Possibly Grehan might fulfill that role as he settles in, alongside McGrath or Pearson or O'Riordon providing the aerial defense. Then of course it's managing the transitions, converting defense into attack which has been our main strength. McCann will want us to be relentless, which we'll need to be against teams who play a similar high tempo.

[GazLaz]

Surely we cant be considering Gibson for a start?

Fairly sure he will surprise some people this season. He was good last season.

[Alan Southstand]

He’ll surprise me if he starts!

[scawsby steve]

Leave it to GM. He knows more than any of us.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Thing is, it's good competition. Even if he doesn't start, not a bad option to bring on from the bench.

[steve@dcfd]

After this weeks results from the squadGM will have some difficult decisions to make against first Blackpool preseason game then Exeter.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

https://youtu.be/uIF97VNo17Q?si=kEo5qWgHr0nzAl_-

Good indication in today's post match what he wants to see next week v Blackpool. It should be competitive as it was v Middlesbrough last pre season.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Anyone want to change their minds after seeing the Blackpool game?

I had Bailey at the back with Gotts in midfield but as McGrath now looks fit, I would definitely but Bailey back into midfield. Still not sure on the best CB combo and I'd be happy with O'Riordom but I'll put McGrath alongside Pearson.

TLT.
Sterry, Pearson, McGrath, Maxwell
Broadbent, Bailey, Clifton
Moly, Hanlan, Middleton.

[Alan Southstand]

I’d go with that with just a slight concern over McGrath being rushed back. On that basis, O’Riordan may just have the edge.

Midfield is still a problem, imho, but right now I think you’ve selected the most ‘in form’ lads.

Strange that Ironside didn’t get any minutes, as GM’s style requires someone like a Hanlan/Ironside man down the middle (ideally Street, of course).

[Usher wide.]

Pretty clear he is going to pick the follow XI for Exeter. Assume if Grehan isn’t absolutely nailing it then McGrath comes back in when he is back fit.

TLT

Maxwell
Grehan
Pearson
Sterry

Bailey
Broadbent
Gotts

Gibson
Hanlan
Molyneux

That looks a likely line up for me too CB.

5 ‘newbies’ in with a strong 6 from last season.

Gibbo is having a good close season to date, so I feel Middleton may have to wait for a place in the starting line up, but what a strong bench we’ll have to ‘mix things up’ if & when necessary.

I’d now swap Grehan for McGrath, Gotts for Clifton & perhaps Middleton for Gibson although I wouldn’t be disappointed if we started with Gibbo.

I like TLT but I feel we’re going to miss TSL’s distribution this season to give us that option from playing it out from the back.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I’d go with that with just a slight concern over McGrath being rushed back. On that basis, O’Riordan may just have the edge.

Midfield is still a problem, imho, but right now I think you’ve selected the most ‘in form’ lads.

Strange that Ironside didn’t get any minutes, as GM’s style requires someone like a Hanlan/Ironside man down the middle (ideally Street, of course).

Agree. The general movement in midfield wasn't up to scratch. They all should be constantly moving to find space and anticipating but too much ball watching. After those first 20 mins, Broadbent , the centre half's and full backs were having to play 30 yard passes, instead of 20 which of course, leaves us vulnerable to interceptions. Not particularly different to last season when it takes time to build up that understanding and best combinations. A bit of an improvement second half though so we've just got to be patient.

Yes, wonder if we'll see some movement this week with Ironside and Westbrooke not being given any minutes?

[Usher wide.]

Connor O’Riordon gave a good account of himself too against a big physical team that Blackpool are.

He’ll be pressing hard for a starting berth on his first half showing.

[graingrover]

Whilst we concern ourselves with the best eleven Grant concerns himself with the squad and squad togetherness .

[Usher wide.]

Whilst we concern ourselves with the best eleven Grant concerns himself with the squad and squad togetherness .

Isn’t it a natural thing for supporters to do, pick who they’d like to see?

It doesn’t mean we’re saying we know better than the manager, it’s ‘idling the time away’ until kick off is all.

If Grant started with Bailey in the back four, a midfield of Close, Clifton & Broadbent, Molyneaux on the left & Gibson on the right with Joe Ironside up front my first thought as they lined up would be “Well, this’ll be interesting”, not “GM’s lost the plot here”.

He manages the squad yes, obviously.

He also chooses the starting XI & deploys the tactics to win games….that we don’t do, thank gawd.

Nothing wrong with the OP. It’s not a sleight on the manager just a topic for discussion is all.

Breathe deeper & slower.

[GazLaz]

Anyone want to change their minds after seeing the Blackpool game?

I had Bailey at the back with Gotts in midfield but as McGrath now looks fit, I would definitely but Bailey back into midfield. Still not sure on the best CB combo and I'd be happy with O'Riordom but I'll put McGrath alongside Pearson.

TLT.
Sterry, Pearson, McGrath, Maxwell
Broadbent, Bailey, Clifton
Moly, Hanlan, Middleton.

I thought the game passed Gotts by yesterday.

[Alan Southstand]

Maybe trying too hard to impress? Clifton looked better after he came on, but he’s had a full season with us.

[Usher wide.]

I was watching Gotts & he didn’t impress on that showing I’m disappointed to say.

It’s ok saying he’ll need time to understand his role but Middleton didn’t seem to when he came on.

There’s no hiding place out there on that pitch. What you see is what you get….usually.

It’s one pre-season game so let’s see if Grant picks him again to start, after all he sees him everyday in training. We don’t have that ‘luxury’.

[EasyforDennis]

A bit controversial maybe but I would go with:

Ronaldo (TLT)

Back 3 of Pearson, Bailey and Mc'Grath with Sterry and Maxwell as fullbacks
Midfield of Moly, Broadbent and Middleton
Hanlon and Ajayi up front.

[scawsby steve]

A bit controversial maybe but I would go with:

Ronaldo (TLT)

Back 3 of Pearson, Bailey and Mc'Grath with Sterry and Maxwell as fullbacks
Midfield of Moly, Broadbent and Middleton
Hanlon and Ajayi up front.

One midfielder?

Wow.

[GazLaz]

A bit controversial maybe but I would go with:

Ronaldo (TLT)

Back 3 of Pearson, Bailey and Mc'Grath with Sterry and Maxwell as fullbacks
Midfield of Moly, Broadbent and Middleton
Hanlon and Ajayi up front.

I was thinking on Saturday that a change in system may be what ends up happening pretty quickly after the start of the season.

I just don’t like what happens in midfield for us. I didn’t like it last season and I don’t see where we improve in that area this season. A change in shape may force that.

[EasyforDennis]

A bit controversial maybe but I would go with:

Ronaldo (TLT)

Back 3 of Pearson, Bailey and Mc'Grath with Sterry and Maxwell as fullbacks
Midfield of Moly, Broadbent and Middleton
Hanlon and Ajayi up front.

One midfielder?

Wow.

4 strikers?

Wow.

[StocksArmy]

I think GM will go with this…

TLT

Sterry
O’Riordan
Pearson
Maxwell

Bailey
Broadbent
Clifton

Mols
Middleton
Hanlon

[Chris Black come back]

I think GM will go with this…

TLT

Sterry
O’Riordan
Pearson
Maxwell

Bailey
Broadbent
Clifton

Mols
Middleton
Hanlon

Agree with this.

[DonnyRover]

What’s everyone’s thoughts on Pearson? For me he looks quite a way behind the other 3. I think the pairing we will end up with long term is McGrath and Grehan.

[GazLaz]

What’s everyone’s thoughts on Pearson? For me he looks quite a way behind the other 3. I think the pairing we will end up with long term is McGrath and Grehan.

He’s a box defender isn’t he. Saw him in the Championship and he was ok but looks like he’s a couple of yards slower now. Didn’t do Woody any harm not being able to run. Hopefully he can still do a job. I’d start him and Grehan.

[ravenrover]

Grehan?
Not on yesterdays performance

[Usher wide.]

What’s everyone’s thoughts on Pearson? For me he looks quite a way behind the other 3. I think the pairing we will end up with long term is McGrath and Grehan.

He’s a box defender isn’t he. Saw him in the Championship and he was ok but looks like he’s a couple of yards slower now. Didn’t do Woody any harm not being able to run. Hopefully he can still do a job. I’d start him and Grehan.

Grehan was wearing #27 against Blackpool?  Are we talking about the same player I saw in that number?

On Saturday’s performance I would play O’Riordan in place of #27.

[GazLaz]

What’s everyone’s thoughts on Pearson? For me he looks quite a way behind the other 3. I think the pairing we will end up with long term is McGrath and Grehan.

He’s a box defender isn’t he. Saw him in the Championship and he was ok but looks like he’s a couple of yards slower now. Didn’t do Woody any harm not being able to run. Hopefully he can still do a job. I’d start him and Grehan.

Grehan was wearing #27 against Blackpool?  Are we talking about the same player I saw in that number?

On Saturday’s performance I would play O’Riordan in place of #27.

Did you watch him in the MK game when he was superb?

[Usher wide.]

What’s everyone’s thoughts on Pearson? For me he looks quite a way behind the other 3. I think the pairing we will end up with long term is McGrath and Grehan.

He’s a box defender isn’t he. Saw him in the Championship and he was ok but looks like he’s a couple of yards slower now. Didn’t do Woody any harm not being able to run. Hopefully he can still do a job. I’d start him and Grehan.

Grehan was wearing #27 against Blackpool?  Are we talking about the same player I saw in that number?

On Saturday’s performance I would play O’Riordan in place of #27.

Did you watch him in the MK game when he was superb?

Nope.

We played two MK Dons sides that day, was he playing against the MK Dons XI that will kick off their season in league 2?

How did Gotts do?

[ravenrover]

What’s everyone’s thoughts on Pearson? For me he looks quite a way behind the other 3. I think the pairing we will end up with long term is McGrath and Grehan.

He’s a box defender isn’t he. Saw him in the Championship and he was ok but looks like he’s a couple of yards slower now. Didn’t do Woody any harm not being able to run. Hopefully he can still do a job. I’d start him and Grehan.

Grehan was wearing #27 against Blackpool?  Are we talking about the same player I saw in that number?

On Saturday’s performance I would play O’Riordan in place of #27.

Did you watch him in the MK game when he was superb?

I didn't go to MKD, but he certainly wasn't superb on Saturday.
What did you think of his prrformance against Blackpool?