Starting XI v Blackburn

[Merkinagogo]

Still half expecting to see Bartley, but...

Griffiths

Furlong Phillips Heggem Styles

Fellows Molumby Mowatt Grant

Price

Heggebø

[11amstart]

What I'd pick: Griffiths; Campbell, Phillips, Heggem; Furlong, Mowatt, Price, Styles; Fellows, Heggebo, Johnston (3-4-3)

What I think we'll get: Griffiths; Furlong, Phillips, Heggem, Styles; Molumby, Mowatt; Fellows, Price, Grant; Heggebo (4-2-3-1)

I firmly believe that 3 at the back is the way Albion should go, as most teams only play with 1 striker up top; if they play 2 up top 1 of the back three becomes a sweeper or you double up on their best player.

However, I’d go 352, as I believe that with this formation you win the midfield and therefore win the game. In the middle there would be a CDM and 2 CAM, behind a proper 2 up top.

[SW4Baggie]

Not what I’d pick, but I want to be right:

Griffiths; Furlong, Phillips, Heggem, Styles; Molumby, Mowatt; Fellows, Price, Grant; Heggebo (4-2-3-1)

I’m inspired.

[Jacko]

Not what I’d pick, but I want to be right:

Griffiths; Furlong, Phillips, Heggem, Styles; Molumby, Mowatt; Fellows, Price, Grant; Heggebo (4-2-3-1)

I’m inspired.

Were you inspired by post #5? 

[wba13]

Not what I’d pick, but I want to be right:

Griffiths; Furlong, Phillips, Heggem, Styles; Molumby, Mowatt; Fellows, Price, Grant; Heggebo (4-2-3-1)

I’m inspired.

I like this team except Johnston for Grant as he’s looked excellent pre season.

[Josh1873]

Grant was arguably player of the season last year, I'd go off that rather than meaningless friendlies.

I'd be happy with either, they're both great options. But if it's a choice, Grant starts untill if/when MJ earns a starting place.

For all the negativity and doom & gloom, I do feel like we have reasonable depth. I'm aware that may not last #FireSale.

[Bob Fossil]

Grant was arguably player of the season last year, I'd go off that rather than meaningless friendlies.

I'd be happy with either, they're both great options. But if it's a choice, Grant starts untill if/when MJ earns a starting place.

For all the negativity and doom & gloom, I do feel like we have reasonable depth. I'm aware that may not last #FireSale.

Campbell and Taylor mean the back 4 are covered. After that, there's not much Josh, with likely only Diakite + kids to cover Midfield and Wallace and Johnston covering wide areas and CF!!

Dike, Maja and Bany are massive losses and pretty much eradicates our forward depth. If Heggebo gets a knock Jed will likely be our striker   Is Cleary still around?

[CA Baggie]

What we'll get (4231):
Griffiths
Furlong, Phillips, Heggem, Styles
Mowatt, Molumby
Price
Fellows, Heggebo, Grant.

What I'd Like: (352)
Griffiths
CB: Fulong/Campbell*, Phillips, Heggem
WBs: Fellows Styles
CM: Diakite, Molumby
ACM: Price
CF Heggebo, Grant\Maja*

*fitness and optional

I think this gives us so much fluidity in attack and defence. Wide CBs both comfortable at fullback position, Diakite can drop in when needed. Molumby to be just "everywhere" he was at his best when pushed really high on to the opposition when out of possession.

Given we've tried absolutely nothing new in any of the friendlies I'd be surprised if it's anything other than the "same old" that we know doesn't really work.

[MrBater]

Grant was arguably player of the season last year, I'd go off that rather than meaningless friendlies.

I'd be happy with either, they're both great options. But if it's a choice, Grant starts untill if/when MJ earns a starting place.

For all the negativity and doom & gloom, I do feel like we have reasonable depth. I'm aware that may not last #FireSale.

Campbell and Taylor mean the back 4 are covered. After that, there's not much Josh, with likely only Diakite + kids to cover Midfield and Wallace and Johnston covering wide areas and CF!!

Dike, Maja and Bany are massive losses and pretty much eradicates our forward depth. If Heggebo gets a knock Jed will likely be our striker   Is Cleary still around?

TBF Heggebo is a tank, defenders will come off worse than him. Whether he has any kind of ball control is a different matter!

[11amstart]

What we'll get (4231):
Griffiths
Furlong, Phillips, Heggem, Styles
Mowatt, Molumby
Price
Fellows, Heggebo, Grant.

What I'd Like: (352)
Griffiths
CB: Fulong/Campbell*, Phillips, Heggem
WBs: Fellows Styles
CM: Diakite, Molumby
ACM: Price
CF Heggebo, Grant\Maja*

*fitness and optional

I think this gives us so much fluidity in attack and defence. Wide CBs both comfortable at fullback position, Diakite can drop in when needed. Molumby to be just "everywhere" he was at his best when pushed really high on to the opposition when out of possession.

Given we've tried absolutely nothing new in any of the friendlies I'd be surprised if it's anything other than the "same old" that we know doesn't really work.

Against good opposition I’d go for your 352, but against weaker/mid-table teams, especially at home I’d go with 1 CM and 2 ACMs.