Starting XIs...

[Wooderson]

Less than a month to go now, how is your starting XI shaping up?

If it kicked off tomorrow I think we'd go:

Fitzsimmons
Tootle, Duffy, Brisley, Dan Jones
Boldewijn, Hewitt, Vaughan, Thomas
Hemmings, Dennis

 

[JJ1532]

Tricky one for us. Got a lot of depth(we'll see about the quality as the season goes on) so competition for places should be tight, early on at least. We are also a couple of players short. But, if the season started tomorrow:

Garratt
Ng, Ray, Nolan, Pickering
Jones/Ainley/Kirk, Green, Wintle, Jones/Ainley/Kirk
Bowery, Miller

Bench/squad:

Richards(GK), Raynes, Walker, Lowery, Dale, Reilly, Porter, Nicholls, Ainley/Jones/Kirk.

Like I said, looking fine depth wise, we'll have to see quality wise how we stack up to the rest of the league.

 

[valefan16]

At the moment as we look virtually complete

Scott Brown

James Gibbons
Nathan Smith
Leon Legge
Christian Montano

David Worrall
Luke Joyce
Manny Oyeleke
Luke Hannant

Tom Pope
Ricky Miller

If Howkins comes in he may oust Smith

Far far better than last season.

 

[WH_Stag]

Walker Rose
CJ Bishop Macdonald Kahn
Benning Preston Pearce White
Logan

Decent.... More than capable of doing well

 

[PaulHaddock]

I have absolutely no idea on formation and we only have 1 proper winger, which suggests we’re either going 3 at the back or 3 up top. If it were up to me...

James McKeown

Reece Hall-Johnson
Harry Davis
Danny Collins
Akin Femewo
Andrew Fox

Mitch Rose
John Welsh
Jake Hessenthaler

Jordan Cook
JJ Hooper

That’s for a 3-5-2. If it’s 3 up top, I’d keep the same personnel but swap Femewo for one of our other strikers probably. I think our defence picks itself but Harry Clifton will push for a starting place in midfield and we’ve got 4 fairly average strikers to chose from.

 

[GodsGift]

Vickers

Eardley
Wilson
Waterfall
Toffolo

Bostwick
Frecklington
O'Connor

Andrade
Akinde
Green

Subs: Smith, Habergham, Pett, Anderson, Rhead

Still expecting at least another 3/4 signings.

 

[Conker]

We literally have no idea how Flitcroft will pick his side at this stage, I would guess that Taylor and Davies start up top over Rose though, controversially.

 

[Andy Proctor]

At the moment as we look virtually complete

Scott Brown

James Gibbons
Nathan Smith
Leon Legge
Christian Montano

David Worrall
Luke Joyce
Manny Oyeleke
Luke Hannant

Tom Pope
Ricky Miller

If Howkins comes in he may oust Smith

Far far better than last season.

If we sign howkins then we will play 532 so hannant would most likely come out of that team

 

[Moomin]

4-3-3 for us looks decent

GK Pym

D - Sweeney
D - Brown
D - Martin
D - Moxey

M - Law
M - Boatenf
M - Taylor

F - Forte
F - Stockley
F - Abrahams

Then on the bench we still have the likes of Holmes, Jay, Harley, Tillson etc

Still a few players short but looking fairly strong throughout

 

[Boz]

Davies
Buxton/Caprice McNulty Ellis Monthe
Tollitt Norburn Banks Jennings
Mullin Norwood

Ridehalgh banned for first 3 games and Buxton recovering from a double hernia op. When all of the current squad are fit, we may go to 3 at the back, but only Caprice and Ridehalgh of the current squad capable of playing wing-back, though as a long-shot may try Tollitt there.

Still thing we need (and will add) a few more. Current squad good enough to stay up, but I wouldn't pitch any higher.

 

[hellogregory]

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[CTFCfan99]

Looks as though we're setting up to play 3-5-2 with the signings we've made, although we're still very light up front and it's currently anyone's guess who plays in midfield. Based on the current squad I'd go something like:

3-5-1-1
Scott Flinders

Jordon Forster
Johnny Mullins
Will Boyle

Sean Long
Nigel Atangana
Kevin Dawson
Ben Tozer
Chris Hussey

Conor Thomas

Mo Eisa


Subs from: Rhys Lovett, Brian Graham, Matt Bower, George Lloyd, Alex Addai, Ryan Broom, Tom Smith

However it does look like Eisa will be off sooner rather than later, and we need better than Graham up front so we still need at least two new forwards. Defence looks like it could be really solid though, and we've got a few promising young midfielders in Addai, Broom and Smith who could contribute.

 

[Crewelad87]

Tricky one for us. Got a lot of depth(we'll see about the quality as the season goes on) so competition for places should be tight, early on at least. We are also a couple of players short. But, if the season started tomorrow:

Garratt
Ng, Ray, Nolan, Pickering
Jones/Ainley/Kirk, Green, Wintle, Jones/Ainley/Kirk
Bowery, Miller

Bench/squad:

Richards(GK), Raynes, Walker, Lowery, Dale, Reilly, Porter, Nicholls, Ainley/Jones/Kirk.

Like I said, looking fine depth wise, we'll have to see quality wise how we stack up to the rest of the league.

A couple of decent full backs abit like Sterry from last season, then we look good. Like you say plenty of depth there, especially going forward.

 

[Habbinalan]

Our visit to Vale Park could see a squad little changed to the one that put 5 past Vale last game of the season. Only Leon Legge has moved on from that game and he'll be on the pitch in White.

Mitov
Halliday, Taylor, Taft, Carrroll
Amoo, Deegan, Maris, Dunk
Brown, Waters

Subs: Iron, Legge, Azeez, Corr, Lewis, Davies, Knowles

Forde should be back from the stands, with Mitov dropping to the bench and Iron back with the Deveopment Team. Louis John should replace Leon on the bench. Jabo should start ahead of Waters, who may still arrive from Northampton and would be ahead of Azeez in the pecking order based on last season's form. New signing Reggie Lambe should get a start ahead of David Amoo (or Dunk?) - who would drop to the bench with Knowles probably heading out on loan at some stage.

 

[Simpo]

We need another couple of strikers, but for now:

GK Daniel Iversen (coming on loan from Leicester probs)

RB Rob Hunt
CB Peter Clarke
CB George Edmundson
LB Andrew Taylor

RM Cameron Dummigan
CM Giles Coke
CM Dan Gardner
LM Johan Branger-Engone

AM Jose Baxter

ST Jonathan Benteke (on trial, probs be signed)

High pressing style tactics.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Less than a month to go now, how is your starting XI shaping up?

If it kicked off tomorrow I think we'd go:

Fitzsimmons
Tootle, Duffy, Brisley, Dan Jones
Boldewijn, Hewitt, Vaughan, Thomas
Hemmings, Dennis

Even if Hemmings is as bang average as some Mansfield fans suggest, I’m more than happy with that lineup. A lot of pressure on Hewitt to do a lot of work in centre midfield. Depending on Vaughan’s legs. If Hemmings can hold the ball up as I’m told he does so well, then the new flying? Tricky wingers should come into their own.

This line up on paper and what I’m told about the players reminds me of some favourable Notts sides of the past

 

[Imp in Branston]

Vickers

Eardley
Wilson
Waterfall
Toffolo

Bostwick
Frecklington
O'Connor

Andrade
Akinde
Green

Subs: Smith, Habergham, Pett, Anderson, Rhead

Still expecting at least another 3/4 signings.

I think we will have 5/6 new players yet, some will no doubt be on longish loans. Cover at right back and left sided centre half for sure, then maybe central midfielder, another striker or two and a winger is what I am expecting.

 

[Son of Cod]

I have absolutely no idea on formation and we only have 1 proper winger, which suggests we’re either going 3 at the back or 3 up top. If it were up to me...

James McKeown

Reece Hall-Johnson
Harry Davis
Danny Collins
Akin Femewo
Andrew Fox

Mitch Rose
John Welsh
Jake Hessenthaler

Jordan Cook
JJ Hooper

That’s for a 3-5-2. If it’s 3 up top, I’d keep the same personnel but swap Femewo for one of our other strikers probably. I think our defence picks itself but Harry Clifton will push for a starting place in midfield and we’ve got 4 fairly average strikers to chose from.

I think we'll be adapting our lineups to suit matches. I can't see Welsh and Woolford playing every game for instance, but will be deployed as and when necessary. Not sure Fox will be used as a wing back either, I think that's why he was looking at that lad that came in on trial and started vs Cleethorpes. Did well apparently too, so it wouldn't surprise me to see him still on trial next week and featuring in the next friendly. I think our style or play, tempo and pressing is what will remain consistent.

 

[Son of Cod]

That Notts lineup is bangin'.

Tranmere strike me as a tad weak, but there are a few names I'm not familiar with. Who are Tollitt, Banks and Monthe?

Oldham I know fuck all about too, except that Baxter is amazing!

Vickers

Eardley
Wilson
Waterfall
Toffolo

Bostwick
Frecklington
O'Connor

Andrade
Akinde
Green

Subs: Smith, Habergham, Pett, Anderson, Rhead

Still expecting at least another 3/4 signings.

That's a good lineup, to be fair. Weak spots potentially Waterfall and Green? Did Wilson sign permanently then? For some reason, I thought he was only on loan.

 

[Imp in Branston]

That's a good lineup, to be fair. Weak spots potentially Waterfall and Green? Did Wilson sign permanently then? For some reason, I thought he was only on loan.

Green a weak spot, is that a wind up?

Wilson signed on until 2020.

 

[Son of Cod]

Green a weak spot, is that a wind up?

Wilson signed on until 2020.

Matt Green? I mean, he's alright?

 

[Indian Dan]

Vigoroux
Taylor/Iandolo Conroy TBA Knoyle
McGlashan Alzate Anderson Smith
Richards Adebayo

4 more to come so could well change

 

[Simpo]

Oldham I know fuck all about too, except that Baxter is amazing!

We need another couple of strikers, but for now:

3-4-2-1

GK Johny Placide - Such an oddball, does Cruyff turns and pinpoint upfield passes, but can parry shots straight ahead of him.

RCB George Edmundson - Exciting youngster, one of the few who did themselves justice in the run-in. Bit slow.
CB Peter Clarke - Veteran, was incredible his first season, seemed to lose a step last season but should never have been loaned out. Looks to have lost weight (muscle mass) which should help him.
LCB Jamie Stott - Like a left-footed Edmundson, from our academy. Strangely we have another kid defender who looks good, Tom Hamer.

RWB Cameron Dummigan - Tremendous player, likes to run with the ball, badly missed when he was injured with NI U21s.
CM Ousmane Fane - Physically dominant, technically bereft. Some games you'll watch him and think he's way better than Oldham, others like he shouldn't be a footballer. Divides opinion massively.
CM Dan Gardner - Tidy midfielder, keeps the ball moving. Players' player of the season.
LWB Rob Hunt - Full of talent, I think if he plays to his potential someone will come in for him sooner rather than later. He's a right back really, but does fine on the left.

ACM Jack Byrne - Hugely skillful, makes things happen, needs to control his temper. Should get double figures playing regularly in L2, if man-managed correctly.
ACM Jose Baxter - A joy to watch, plays with a swagger, these two in the same team has the potential for fireworks.

ST Aaron Amadi-Holloway - Archetypal target man, doesn't get enough goals for a striker. Ideally will be used off the bench.

Going through that, it strikes me how young our squad is.

 

[Son of Cod]

Going through that, it strikes me how young our squad is.

Oh nice one, cheers. Sounds like you've got quite a few players who might benefit from dropping down a division. What's the general feeling among you lot? Hopeful of bouncing straight back?

 

[GodsGift]

That's a good lineup, to be fair. Weak spots potentially Waterfall and Green? Did Wilson sign permanently then? For some reason, I thought he was only on loan.

Waterfall has never let us down but, apart from Rhead and Habergham (who I both expect to be subs this season) he's the only one left from our title-winning side which tells you a lot. Either way I expect us to sign another CB. As for Green, he's now playing wide in a front three and he does a lot of the donkey work that goes unnoticed while still getting you 10-15 goals a season. Is he good enough for a side aiming for the top 3? I'm not sure but hopefully we won't be relying on his goals now we've got Akinde.

 

[Son of Cod]

Waterfall has never let us down but, apart from Rhead and Habergham (who I both expect to be subs this season) he's the only one left from our title-winning side which tells you a lot. Either way I expect us to sign another CB. As for Green, he's now playing wide in a front three and he does a lot of the donkey work that goes unnoticed while still getting you 10-15 goals a season. Is he good enough for a side aiming for the top 3? I'm not sure but hopefully we won't be relying on his goals now we've got Akinde.

Didn't Waterfall get sent off at BP the season we went up when you were well on top and we went on to win? I swear every time I've seen him, he looks like a liability.

 

[RavenBish]

At the moment as we look virtually complete

Scott Brown

James Gibbons
Nathan Smith
Leon Legge
Christian Montano

David Worrall
Luke Joyce
Manny Oyeleke
Luke Hannant

Tom Pope
Ricky Miller

If Howkins comes in he may oust Smith

Far far better than last season.

Montano is a left back now?!?!

 

[GodsGift]

Didn't Waterfall get sent off at BP the season we went up when you were well on top and we went on to win? I swear every time I've seen him, he looks like a liability.

Yeah, I was at that game. Didn't cover himself in glory with that one. I was working in Grimsby at the time and fondly remember my Mariner supporting colleague singing Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls to me the following Monday...

Most expected him to be one of those to make way last season, well I did anyway. But fair play to him, he's not really put a foot wrong and is deservedly still club captain.

 

[Conker]

Green is definitely good enough for a top three team, always has and always will be a better player than Liam Hearn too

 

[Son of Cod]

Yeah, I was at that game. Didn't cover himself in glory with that one. I was working in Grimsby at the time and fondly remember my Mariner supporting colleague singing Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls to me the following Monday...

Most expected him to be one of those to make way last season, well I did anyway. But fair play to him, he's not really put a foot wrong and is deservedly still club captain.

Fair enough, you watch him way more than me and I also thought Woodyard was overrated so I'm clearly not the best judge of Lincoln players!