First name on the teamsheet.

[Delinquent]

[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=45105.msg1322301#msg1322301 date=1303892961]
Absolutely fine to discuss them, Avvy. What I was taking issue with was Oncy's view that you choose the formation first, then fit the players into it. To me, and Ryan it would seem, that's @rse about front. You first have to see what you've got at your disposal before you decide how you're going to use it to get the job done.
[/quote]

That's certainly true of the England team, in that Fabio has a predetermined pool of players to choose from, and must choose the best combination for the job.

I'm not sure it's applicable at club level though, except perhaps in the short term. In the long term, it's obviously not unusual for a manager to favour a particular style of play, and to acquire players who they believe suit that style best. Although obviously some managers are a little more adaptable than others.

 

[Judge Jules]

Style and formation are different things though, and Oncy mentioned formation specifically. Some formations are admittedly less versatile (e.g.it would probably be hard to play a defensive 4-3-3 successfully) but with others, e.g.4-4-2, you can certainly play in either an attacking or a defensive style. I accept these things can often not be fully cut and dried, but I thought Oncy was saying you pick 4-3-3, 4-4-2 or whatever and then fit everything else around that, which I still don't agree with.

 

[RolandG]

The formation argument is ace. Its like reading a pantomine of Rafa having an argument with himself!

 

[Judge Jules]

Pantomine? Is that like a pantomime with real explosives?

 

[RolandG]

JJ, if that tickles your fancy.

Talk of formations is overrated. Most formations are a variation of 4-4-2 with maybe 3-5-2 the exception. Nevertheless all teams are limited to 11 players.

You need flexible players in the team. Few teams play with out and out wingers. Wingers play as wide midfielders in 4-4-2.

It has to be said that in a narrow team like ours 3-5-2 and variations od 4-2-3-1 will suit us best.

Oncy's argument is only valid if you're an established coach who has built a team. Newly hired coach to save a team from relegation will play to the team and player strengths.

 

[Gerry_A_Trick]

[quote author=Delinquent link=topic=45105.msg1322307#msg1322307 date=1303893419]
[quote author=Gerry_A_Trick link=topic=45105.msg1322063#msg1322063 date=1303837519]
I'd be of the opinion that the first name on the team sheet would be the player who's replacement is furthest away from him in terms of quality.

Has to be Reina, with Carra, Steve and Suarez up there too.
[/quote]

I think you're overcomplicating things. It's just our best players, basically.

Stevie
Reina
Suarez
Carra

And as keni(?) said, probably Carroll, but that remains to be seen, to some extent.
[/quote]

Yeah, I may be answering the question of who we'd most miss(with no new replacements). Either way it's much the same list.