Teams for Next Season

I thought I put a thread up with what you guys see as you're starting 11 for the first game next season. Then we can discuss the pro's and con's, maybe change people's minds with where they need to strengthen. Please give constructive feedback!

If you are unsure of a position, just put a ???. I know a lot of you are going to go for Star Players, so obviously won't mention who.

Here is Real Ale's

--------------------------------Given--------------------------------
Leichsteiner------Smalling/???------------Vertonghen------------Baines
---------------Arteta--------Song/Leiva------Cabaye-----------------
---Hazard------------------------------------------Ramirez/Ben Arfa--
-----------------------------Giroud/Bent------------------------------

OR

--------------------------------Given--------------------------------
Leichsteiner------Smalling/???------------Vertonghen------------Baines
---------------Arteta--------Song/Leiva------Cabaye-----------------
---------------Remy---------Giroud/Bent------Podolski----------------

Hangover:

---------------????/Lindegaard----------------
Arbeloa/VDW----Terry(c)---Cahill----????/Mathieu
---------------Capoue----Biglia----------------
------------------Strootman------------------
Reus-----------------------------Schurrle/????
------------------Eto'o-----------------------

Thoughts on that lads, not sure if I need a creative midfielder over Capoue/Biglia/Strootman. Looking to use the wingers/Eto'o as a front 3

Ok with the squad I have atm I would line up like this

-------------------Gomes--------------
Martin--------Silva--------Taylor/Maduro------Armero
Johnson-------Merieles-----------Nasri----------Hoillett
-----------------Pato---------------Drogba-------------------

Tooze I think you want a better option up front than Pato

---------- Ter Stegan----------
Pereira---Godin---Lugano--Evra
--------------Motta-----------------
----------Sahin--Eriksen-------
Blaczs--------------------------Gotze
------------Manzuickic---------

Thoughts?

I'm considering a 3-4-1-2 as my main formation, using current players;

Handanovic

Boateng - Howedes - Badstuber

Oxlade-Chamberlain - Khedira - Schweinsteiger - Kolarov

Hamsik

Tevez - Dzeko

Thoughts?

Bull you need a better left back than Evra...

Holton Wanderers:

Either one of these two formations.


or


or

why? i think evra is fine at LB tbh.

ncfc_Tooze wrote:Ok with the squad I have atm I would line up like this

-------------------Gomes--------------
Martin--------Silva--------Taylor/Maduro------Armero
Johnson-------Merieles-----------Nasri----------Hoillett
-----------------Pato---------------Drogba-------------------

Potentially need to get away from the 4-4-2 in some cases, and Drogba can definitely lead the line.

Think a more defensive minded CM alongside Nasri would help too.

Gregers wrote:Hangover:

---------------????/Lindegaard----------------
Arbeloa/VDW----Terry(c)---Cahill----????/Mathieu
---------------Capoue----Biglia----------------
------------------Strootman------------------
Reus-----------------------------Schurrle/????
------------------Eto'o-----------------------

Thoughts on that lads, not sure if I need a creative midfielder over Capoue/Biglia/Strootman. Looking to use the wingers/Eto'o as a front 3

I'd get a creative AM for that formation I think. If you have two sat back like that it may give the impression of Eto'o getting isolated in the centre.

Can someone give me some thoughts on what formation and team I should go for?

Of the three you posted, the second one in my opinion.

Not sure if Cisse/Ade complement each other though

Wow...ok my opinions are:

Gregers - You do need more creativity in the middle. With the defensive rock you have, I could easily see you take out one of Capoue or Biglia and put in a more attacking midfielder.

Tooze - I would like to see you go 5 in the midfield.

Bull - I would seriously consider getting rid of Eriksen and using it to beef up other areas of your team. A new striker?

Marky - Great going foward, but with 3 CB's I would play midfielders and attacking FB's and rip that team apart. Oxo won't track back and I would attack your right side (think of Baines overlapping Ben Arfa on that side)

Olly - The first formation is very good in my opinion. Not a big fan of 5 in defensive. I think it could work with my team because I have two very good attacking FB's. Like with Tooze, I am not a fan of 4-4-2

I personal dont think i need a new striker.

TheBrahmaBull wrote:why? i think evra is fine at LB tbh.

Personally (as many people know) I cannot stand Evra, plus he's looking a touch past it now

Gregers wrote:

TheBrahmaBull wrote:why? i think evra is fine at LB tbh.

Personally (as many people know) I cannot stand Evra, plus he's looking a touch past it now

He is a proper bell end.

Marky wrote:I'm considering a 3-4-1-2 as my main formation, using current players;

Handanovic

Boateng - Howedes - Badstuber

Oxlade-Chamberlain - Khedira - Schweinsteiger - Kolarov

Hamsik

Tevez - Dzeko

Thoughts?

The front three works very well for me, it's similar to Napoli really, with Hamsik and Tevez dropping off Dzeko a bit. Dzeko can be improved on in my opinion though.

Twist makes a good point that Oxo isn't going to help the defence. You'd need someone like Maggio (didn't you have him?) who excels in getting up and down all day.

Can definitely work with the right personnel though.

Maggio is available if Marky wants him back...

TwisT wrote:Wow...ok my opinions are:

Gregers - You do need more creativity in the middle. With the defensive rock you have, I could easily see you take out one of Capoue or Biglia and put in a more attacking midfielder.

Tooze - I would like to see you go 5 in the midfield.

Bull - I would seriously consider getting rid of Eriksen and using it to beef up other areas of your team. A new striker?

Marky - Great going foward, but with 3 CB's I would play midfielders and attacking FB's and rip that team apart. Oxo won't track back and I would attack your right side (think of Baines overlapping Ben Arfa on that side)

Olly - The first formation is very good in my opinion. Not a big fan of 5 in defensive. I think it could work with my team because I have two very good attacking FB's. Like with Tooze, I am not a fan of 4-4-2

So would Alaba and Abate not qualify as two very good attacking FB's? The diamond formation I like, and glad to see you do too. I like the options I have

Ok, is anyone going to comment on my team

Looks good to me Twist, seems like you're planning to attack in the wide areas and pack the middle for counters, and if so it does the job no problem.

I prefer the first to the second twist unless you're wanting your fbs to bomb forward. If Hazard isn't going to play then I'd get rid and get a cf better than Giroud or Bent

I prefer your first one TwisT. I would also say your GK needs improving

Looks good to me Twist, seems like you're planning to attack in the wide areas and pack the middle for counters, and if so it does the job no problem.

That is the idea

I prefer the first to the second twist unless you're wanting your fbs to bomb forward. If Hazard isn't going to play then I'd get rid and get a cf better than Giroud or Bent.

Depending how Giroud does, you may well be right. I still say he will be the best signing this season. Bent I think is good, proven cover. You may not like him, but his PL goal record speaks for itself.

Only annoying thing is I really like doing in house transfers, but I am very happy with my squad now.

---------------Ochoa
Debuchy---Pepe---Sakho---Nagatomo/Caceres
---------Sandro---Ramires
Sanchez-------Ozil---------Rodriguez/Gaitan
-------------Benzema

That is my stock line up, but I like to muck about and change things based on injuries and opponents.

Thinking about a more delicate CB to read the game alongside Pepe. Although Sakho is a beast still. Also struggle to decide on the two left siders at both LB and LW.

Russell_Elmo wrote:

Cech

??? -- Luiz -- Ivanovic -- ???

Kroos -- Bender

Pedro -- Oscar -- Turan

Soldado

You need some full backs

Russell_Elmo wrote:

Cech

??? -- Luiz -- Ivanovic -- ???

Kroos -- Bender

Pedro -- Oscar -- Turan

Soldado

You need new full backs, the ?? twins have never been any good.

Otherwise a good balance, I'd sell Pedro to me though...

sodhat wrote:---------------Ochoa
Debuchy---Pepe---Sakho---Nagatomo/Caceres
---------Sandro---Ramires
Sanchez-------Ozil---------Rodriguez/Gaitan
-------------Benzema

That is my stock line up, but I like to muck about and change things based on injuries and opponents.

Thinking about a more delicate CB to read the game alongside Pepe. Although Sakho is a beast still. Also struggle to decide on the two left siders at both LB and LW.

I have to admit I liked your cup final formation a lot. Although it doesn't maybe suit Ozil, I think it was a better team

Olly wrote:

sodhat wrote:---------------Ochoa
Debuchy---Pepe---Sakho---Nagatomo/Caceres
---------Sandro---Ramires
Sanchez-------Ozil---------Rodriguez/Gaitan
-------------Benzema

That is my stock line up, but I like to muck about and change things based on injuries and opponents.

Thinking about a more delicate CB to read the game alongside Pepe. Although Sakho is a beast still. Also struggle to decide on the two left siders at both LB and LW.

I have to admit I liked your cup final formation a lot. Although it doesn't maybe suit Ozil, I think it was a better team

Forgot I had Moutinho

sodhat wrote:

Olly wrote:

sodhat wrote:---------------Ochoa
Debuchy---Pepe---Sakho---Nagatomo/Caceres
---------Sandro---Ramires
Sanchez-------Ozil---------Rodriguez/Gaitan
-------------Benzema

That is my stock line up, but I like to muck about and change things based on injuries and opponents.

Thinking about a more delicate CB to read the game alongside Pepe. Although Sakho is a beast still. Also struggle to decide on the two left siders at both LB and LW.

I have to admit I liked your cup final formation a lot. Although it doesn't maybe suit Ozil, I think it was a better team

Forgot I had Moutinho

Sell him to me then

Twist, there's not really any good feedback in this page, so no comments = no problems.

I think Oxlade-Chamberlain's ability to play as a midfielder means he's track back, but I agree. Gregers, I may make you an offer for Maggio.

Marky wrote:Twist, there's not really any good feedback in this page, so no comments = no problems.

I think Oxlade-Chamberlain's ability to play as a midfielder means he's track back, but I agree. Gregers, I may make you an offer for Maggio.

I watched Arsenal on Sunday vs Koln (it was a friendly of course, so take it how you will) but Wenger was playing Oxo central as the AM.

What do you guys think about Bale as a LWB?

Tooze - If you want to play Pato, I'd play him just off Drogba in a 4-4-1-1 system.

Gregs - Sell me Terry or Cahill Defiantly think you need someone creative to sit where strootman is. Eriksen maybe

Bull - As already stated need to look for a better LB.

Marky - You need a whole new squad. Clearly it wasn't good enough last season and that's why you won the league...

Olly - I like the first and third formation. If you want to play 5 at the back I'd look to have 4 in midfield to give you width. Adebayor can lead the line with support from a midfield.

Eriksen would be a great signing for me... chances of Bull selling?

Mine...

Olly wrote:What do you guys think about Bale as a LWB?

No, he moved further forward in RL for a reason.

Hero wrote:Mine...

De Gea
Richards---Hummels---Chiellini---Cole
Toure---De Jong
Cazorla---Pastore---Moura
Higuain

Rubbish.

sodhat wrote:

Hero wrote:Mine...

De Gea
Richards---Hummels---Chiellini---Cole
Toure---De Jong
Cazorla---Pastore---Moura
Higuain

Rubbish.

Although in seriousness I reckon it may hinge on how Moura does. I watched Cazorla at Arsenal the other day and he fit right in, so I don't see a problem that side.

In all likelihood I think I'll start with Giovinco on that wing.

Be interested to see how much game time Richards/De Jong get this season towards the end of season Zabaleta was the favored RB and Rodwell's signing could mean the end of de jong at city been linked with plenty of moves over the summer.... although i hope he takes Barry's place

I think Rodwell will be more a utility player coming on for Barry etc, expect once fit again for Richards to get the nod over Zabaleta.

Better?

Handanovic

Howedes - ??? - Badstuber

Maggio - any 2 of Khedira/Schweinsteiger/Toulalan/Essien - Kolarov

Hamsik

Tevez - Dzeko

I might not go with the 3-4-1-2, just keeping my options open.

------------------Ochoa
----------Sakho---Pepe---Rannochia
Debuchy-------------------------------??
-------------Sandro---Ramires
-------Sanchez--------------Ozil
------------------Benzema

Debuchy/?? would act as midfielders but with responsibility to track back and help the defence when not on the ball. Sanchez/Ozil would support Benzema centrally mostly, but they will drift outside if there is space to.

Fearsome front three, scarier than the Hamsik/Lavezzi/Cavani trio they're emulating!

Debuchy played for France in that wingback role, just need another one on the left.

Both of these played LWB for Italy in the Euros on the opposite flank to Maggio [Only admins are allowed to see this link]

You keep forgetting poor Joao Moutinho

I know! But dependant on the success of my foreigns I will be playing him with some tactical tweaks.

I was literally just looking at Balzaretti too, he is possible, as is Dossena but I don't know how they will be rated... I'm thinking Zhirkov could be there too, but I seem to recall him being bought already.

Barca's Adriano would be good if you could prize him from Twist?

There are actually some really good options out there for the LWB/LM position. They need to basically be a midfielder that will track back, so I will have a look and see who I can prise away.