Tomorrow Vs Sittingbourne

[Matt H]

Final pre-season friendly, how will it go?

 

Batchy to start with the best XI available to him to established a settled team or field fringe players to give them a final chance to earn a place against Harrow?

 

Personally I think it'll the best the strongest XI available considering there are players still on holiday.

 

I'd like to see our strongest Reserve left-back start tomorrow in their natural position and if he's available, Edwards to start ahead of Edgar.

 

----------- Russell -------------

- West - Patten - Everett - LB -

- Fanny - Dobbo - J. Edwards - Cohen -

----- Rowe ------ Curran --------

 

(As far as I know Halle & Gordon are on holiday, and Mustafa is still injured).

[warleystar]

not sure if you've been watching any of the pre-season games Matt??

 

Andrew West has had a terrible pre-season and should definately not make the starting line-up, too in-consistent and too many mistakes.

 

ben pattern has looked out of sorts all pre-season and is not yet ready for 1st team action. Chris Moore should definately play in front of him, Mooro has had a decent pre-season and his experience is so vital.

 

John edwards I believe is strugging with a knee injury and lacks fitness.

 

And your biggest omission for me is crow?? despite his age he never lets the club down. He could play in his orthodox left back position or in midfield. with such a small squad crow's experience and quality is so important, I think he is also having a good pre-season.

 

My starting team would look like this

 

Gk - James russel

RB - Andrew West (replaced by Frank Everett when Richard Halle is fit again)

CB - Chris Moore

CB - Ben Pattern

LB - Craig Davidson

RM - Gab Fanibuyan

CM - Kevin Dobinson

CM - Ryan Edgar/Craig Davidson

LM - Gregg Cohen

CF - Leon Gordon

CF - James Rowe

 

In my opinion we still need a couple of quality players of stablished ryman prem level to play in mid-field and at the back

[Matt H]

As much as Crow still wants to play in his left-back position, it was evident last season that most Clubs had him sussed and attacked down that side - Something that was well addressed by John by putting Westy, then later Ainsley in that spot.

 

Within the current squad, Halle would be my first-choice left-back, he has looked comfortable there when required and linked up really well with Cohen, particularly against Brightlingsea.

 

Dobbo walks into our Midfield and with the prospect of not many appearances from Mustafa this season, Fanibuyan replaces him out on the right. Here you have a case for Crow wearing 6 and Dobbo 8 in relation to the shirts numbers traditional representations. Edgar has been poor and only slots into the team when better players are injured/suspended.

 

Left midfield picks itself with Cohen as does the strike partnership of Rowe and Leon Gordon.

 

I would like to see a younger version of Crow playing left-back and another David Lee like midfield to creative opportunities from nothing, failing that someone to play on the right-wing instead of Mustafa so Fanibuyan can move back into the middle.

[ronin]

Halle at left back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Our best player on current form and a natural at central defence/midfield and you want to put him at left back

[Matt H]

Apart from Crow there isn't anyone else and warleystar doesn't believe Westy warrants a place in the starting XI so Halle is the next realistic option.

 

The only player apart from Crow and Westy to have played in that position for us.... Or as I said in my original post, we bring in our best left-back from the Reserves.

[ShedBoy]

I would start with the probable starting 11 that will play at HBFC next Saturday..

 

My starting team would look like this

 

Gk - James russel

RB - Frank Everett

CB - Chris Moore

CB - Ben Patten

LB - Andrew West

RM - Gab Fanibuyan

CM - Kevin Dobinson

CM - Jon Edwards

LM - Gregg Cohen

CF - Leon Gordon

CF - James Rowe

 

I agree that we probably need 2/3 players in certain positions, LB, CM and possibly CB to give us abit more quality in key areas.

 

Richard Halle comes in at CB once he is fit which shouldn't be too long fingers crossed..

 

We still have a week until the season starts so new signings may still come in although it has to be done within a structured budget..

 

Should we look at loan options?

 

Im sure Batchy will have us ready as always for the Ryman Prem kick off next Saturday.

 

[The Great Eckscape]

One option at centre back as the season progresses is Ricky Allen in the Reserves. A very good young player, I reckon he could feature at some point this season.

[YELLOW]

Like what I've seen of Allen so far. Looks a decent player and can see him being part of the first team before the season is out.

[Matt H]

Would like to see Allen and Reynolds included in the first team most weeks if only as named Subs. After three seasons of post-Conference football it's about time all those promises of bringing Youth players through the ranks started to show substance.

 

Allen and Reynolds the first ones for this season and as the likes of Crow, Dobbo, Moore, Mustafa etc hang up their boots more to push through in the coming seasons.