Match-day squad when everyone's fit & available

[Stanley]

-------------------Kenny-----------------

Young---Onuoha---Ferdinand---Taiwo

Taarabt---Barton----Diatike-----Traore

------------Cisse-----Zamora-----------

Subs
Cerny
Gabbidon
Hill
SWP
Buzsaky
HH
DJ

Bearing in mind MH likes 4-4-2, is this our best team?

[thefatgod1]

Don't forget Faurlin

[vblockranger]

SWP on right instead of Taarabt for me..

[bushcelt1]

best team for me and a competetive bench. have hall in before gabbidon.

[Stanley]

Don't forget Faurlin

He'd be challenging JB and Diatike for a place but that won't be until he's back next season.

[Rebel R's]

-------------------Kenny-----------------

Young---Onuoha---Ferdinand---Taiwo

Taarabt---Barton----Diatike-----Traore

------------Cisse-----Zamora-----------

Subs
Cerny
Gabbidon
Hill
SWP
Buzsaky
HH
DJ

Bearing in mind MH likes 4-4-2, is this our best team?

Yes it is (as Faurlin is out long term)

[QPRDROG]

If Diakite turns out to be a good player that will be a very strong team

[stainrodisalegend]

-------------------Kenny-----------------

Young---Onuoha---Ferdinand---Taiwo

Taarabt---Barton----Diatike-----Traore

------------Cisse-----Zamora-----------

Subs
Cerny
Gabbidon
Hill
SWP
Buzsaky
HH
DJ

Bearing in mind MH likes 4-4-2, is this our best team?

I agree with that. As ever with us, Adel is the enigma: too good to leave out but tricky to fit into a 4-4-2 when we already have two main strikers. On his day think he is still the most talented, dangerous football player at the club but will need to prove himself to Hughes rather than Hughes having to prove himself to Adel, which is how it sometimes felt under Warno. Wouldn't write off SWP yet as he has to be given a run on the right. Also Buz can have a role, particularly at home against smaller clubs. The great thing is we finally have a few options on the bench.

[Weareqpr6]

SWP on right instead of Taarabt for me..

Taarabt has been the one player we have been missing, lacked so much quality in recent weeks !

[Stanley]

I agree with that. As ever with us, Adel is the enigma: too good to leave out but tricky to fit into a 4-4-2 when we already have two main strikers. On his day think he is still the most talented, dangerous football player at the club but will need to prove himself to Hughes rather than Hughes having to prove himself to Adel, which is how it sometimes felt under Warno. Wouldn't write off SWP yet as he has to be given a run on the right. Also Buz can have a role, particularly at home against smaller clubs. The great thing is we finally have a few options on the bench.

Agree, plenty of nice permutations...

E.g:
- JB and Adel switching positions
- Buzz coming in for JB or Diatike (who are both more defensive midfielders)...etc.
...all depending on the oppo.

[DeepcutHoop]

Agree, plenty of nice permutations...

E.g:
- JB and Adel switching positions
- Buzz coming in for JB or Diatike (who are both more defensive midfielders)...etc.
...all depending on the oppo.

I think Barton is far better as an attacking option than we've seen so far. If Diakite is a proper DM then we may see more of this.

[qprbrisbanedivision]

Am thinking thats a team that can do us proud if all fit....not forgetting Faurs...

[Del]

I like the fact there are plenty of fluid options within that starting 11 to adapt mid game if required, or if the nature of the games allows, such as

A 433:
Young---Onuoha---Ferdinand---Taiwo
---Barton----Diakite-----Traore
---AT/SWP---Zamora----Cisse-

352:
----Onuoha---Ferdinand---Taiwo
Young---Barton----Diakite-----Traore
------------AT/AB/SWP
----------Zamora----Cisse----

Alternate 352:
---Onuoha--Diakite---Ferdinand
Young---Barton----Traore----Taiwo
------------AT/AB/SWP
---------Zamora----Cisse----

Or when in posession and building from the keeper, spread starting positions ala Barca:
Onoura------------------Ferdinand
Young---Barton---Diakite----Taiwo
AT/SWP---Zamora---Cisse---Traore

Also we are wondering how MH will accommodate AT but he may not want to play Traore LM like we all want, instead preferring a more orthodox attack minded player in a bit of a free / floating role, in turn leaving space on the left for Taiwo to bomb into, same as Gerrard and Cole for England on that side. In that case it could be:

Young-----Onuoha---Ferdinand------Taiwo
SWP-------Barton----Diakite--Taraabt
-----------Zamora----Cisse-

At the end of the day we have now got a cracking squad with plenty of options and cover for suspensions and injuries, plus lots of power, pace, steength, height etc. Nobody will fancy playing against us and i can't wait to see them gel!

Thanks Tony and Amit, and good work Mark Hughes.