Who does the next manager build the starting 11 around?

[martinjohn]

Very few players have not been dropped or kept out of the side at some point this season by Bonner (the only exceptions that come to mind are Andrew, Morrison and Digby (who only lost his place due to suspension)). So if you were telling the next manager "this player is essential", who would it be and where would they play?

For me, I'd say the following are crucial to our starting line-up:

1) Liam Bennett in either a wing back position or as a winger. 

2) Lankester... I know that will divide opinion, but I believe we're always a better side with him in it and he's our best option in the number 10 role.

3) James Brophy on the left.

4) Michael Morrison as the commanding central defender. 

The rest of the places are up for grabs for me.

[El Goodo]

Boring answer but I think it really depends on who we appoint & what way they want to play. We have a squad that should be able to play different styles in pretty much any formation, but who the key players are in those vary depending on what we're trying to do.

Not a surprise to hear coming from me probably, but I think genuinely the only person that would be more or less a guaranteed first choice in any of them is Brophy.

[Andrewlang]

Bomb them all out. The only answer I can give is that I never want to see them in a United shirt again...

...but, yeah, lol etc, depends. Lankester could be excellent in the right team, he finds space brilliantly and he's willing to take on a shot or two which is braver than most in the side. I've liked his performances coming off the right more than playing through the middle actually.

McConnell too. I have no idea where I'd play him though, I don't think he played wide often in the youth team so maybe I'd see him as a number 10 or box to box.

If Thomas managed to recapture the form of early season he'd be a catch too.

Cousins...perhaps. Clearly there is a decent player there even if the application yesterday was a little 'showy' for me.

Brophy, obviously. No hiding those stats though so who knows on that one.

Other than that, yeah, up for grabs. What I'd like is to see Yearn and Jobe really push for a place in the team. I think Jobe is good enough to be the athletic legs alongside Morro, he's a good ball player too. I think Yearn would be a great number 10.

The big losers I think will be one of the centre backs where we might want to prioritise pace, and Digby where we might want to prioritise ball retention. Possibly May. Possibly Ahadme if you're looking to make room in the side. Possibly Bennett if the new manager wants money to spend and we have to cash in. Right back feels like a more 'expendable' position when you have a good player compared to this time last year when we were getting offers for Smith.

Andrew

[danielcufc]

Nov 29, 2023 13:44:12 GMT martinjohn said:

Very few players have not been dropped or kept out of the side at some point this season by Bonner (the only exceptions that come to mind are Andrew, Morrison and Digby (who only lost his place due to suspension)). So if you were telling the next manager "this player is essential", who would it be and where would they play?

For me, I'd say the following are crucial to our starting line-up:

1) Liam Bennett in either a wing back position or as a winger. 

2) Lankester... I know that will divide opinion, but I believe we're always a better side with him in it and he's our best option in the number 10 role.

3) James Brophy on the left.

4) Michael Morrison as the commanding central defender. 

The rest of the places are up for grabs for me.

I agree with your first 3 but Morrison needs to be used in the correct way. He needs to be that commanding central defender as he's no Lloyd Jones. We can't have him slowly passing from side to side either. Been a bit disapointed in him leadership wise if I'm honest in recent weeks as well. He should have been Bonners lieutenant on the pitch but seen little of it.

[Andrewlang]

Morro has been a chippy all season, yeah.

Andrew

[squeeze.]

Liam Bennett won’t be here beyond the Summer but he’s an asset while he’s here.

Morrison is important, maybe got 18 months left in him if used properly.

Shouldn’t overlook Ryan Bennett while he’s here but he’s been a bag of shite (recently) and if he left I wouldn’t be too bothered.

I still like Okedina but he’s not made a great argument to be around.

Dunk, I guess, more in a sort of holistic link.

McConnell, Hoddle & Yearn are the future. Jobe deserves a chance.

Digby, great servant and stuff yeah. Thomas has looked lovely at moments.

Probably a goalscorer in Okenabirhie for a front footed team.

The rest could be replaced tomorrow and I wouldn’t really care.

[cambsno]

Nov 29, 2023 16:10:58 GMT squeeze. said:

Liam Bennett won’t be here beyond the Summer but he’s an asset while he’s here.

Morrison is important, maybe got 18 months left in him if used properly.

Shouldn’t overlook Ryan Bennett while he’s here but he’s been a bag of shite and if he left I wouldn’t be too bothered.

I still like Okedina but he’s not made a great argument to be around.

Dunk, I guess, more in a sort of holistic link.

McConnell, Hoddle & Yearn are the future. Jobe deserves a chance.

Digby, great servant and stuff yeah. Thomas has looked lovely at moments.

Probably a goalscorer in Okenabirhie for a front footed team.

The rest could be replaced tomorrow and I wouldn’t really care.

Ryan has probably been my player of season so far, a lot of very solid performances.

[malotru]

Nov 29, 2023 16:19:40 GMT cambsno said:

Nov 29, 2023 16:10:58 GMT squeeze. said:

Liam Bennett won’t be here beyond the Summer but he’s an asset while he’s here.

Morrison is important, maybe got 18 months left in him if used properly.

Shouldn’t overlook Ryan Bennett while he’s here but he’s been a bag of shite and if he left I wouldn’t be too bothered.

I still like Okedina but he’s not made a great argument to be around.

Dunk, I guess, more in a sort of holistic link.

McConnell, Hoddle & Yearn are the future. Jobe deserves a chance.

Digby, great servant and stuff yeah. Thomas has looked lovely at moments.

Probably a goalscorer in Okenabirhie for a front footed team.

The rest could be replaced tomorrow and I wouldn’t really care.

Ryan has probably been my player of season so far, a lot of very solid performances.

I agree, couple of high profile big errors that led to dropped points but no different to players at the other end of the pitch who miss 90th min penalties or smash it straight at the keeper when it’s easier to score…cough cough Lankes….cough

[lionel]

So, I would drop Danny Andrew straight away. He was dreadful last night.

Ahadme did not look up for it and Cousins is just way to casual on the ball and slow of the ball.

They all need to get their fight back.