The Lounge

[Colum]

I wouldn’t disagree much with your starting 11 Singapore.

Back four is 100% correct in my opinion, especially with Darius out, though I’d expect him to reclaim his spot once fit.

The rest is more tricky and depends on the formation being played.

If 4-4-2 I’d go with a diamond of Parrett (forward) and Abdou (back) with Francomb and Barcham out wide. Up front would be McDonald and Taylor if fit. If not, then Appiah. If 4-5-1 it would still be McDonald up front but add Egan in midfield in place of the other front player.

What this demonstrates, is that we have a good squad to take us into the season. I don’t expect us to set the league on fire, but we are at least capable to doing as well as last season. I actually think we’ll do a little better. So bring on the real thing and let’s get going.

[Windlesham Don]

Many thanks for the Aldershot and Ebbsfleet updates guys, now we just wait for the real stuff to begin!

I cannot help but think that the PSFs may have left the squad slightly undercooked. I’d have liked to see the starting XI for Scunny given a run out together this weekend so that they could iron out any creases in a friendly, rather than in the heat of a League 1 opener. Still, the normal three matches in a week should get them fully prepared for the season ahead!

It may be early, but I think that the first home league match against the Shrews will be important. Shrewsbury are widely touted to struggle and I feel it will be important to lay down a marker against what will probably be a weaker team in the league.

Saturday will be tough, as will Tuesday. I expect NA to play a ‘conservative’ 4-5-1 at Scunthorpe, hoping to keep it tight early on and expand into the match later on. My starting XI would be (assuming Taylor is not fit):
Long,
Fuller, Kennedy, Oshilaja, Robinson,
Abdou, Trotter, Parrett, Barcham, Francomb,
McDonald.

I’m not convinced that this team will be organised enough as yet to come away with anything, but we shall see.

A slight concern, with three games in the opening week, is the number of injuries in the squad. Meades, Charles, Soares and possibly Taylor are all potential starters and we cannot afford to lose any more in the first week.

Interesting post from Rob regarding Michael Smith. It ties up with some NA quotes and he would tick the ‘plan B’ box, however, I suspect that Smith has other irons in the fire and bigger clubs than us in League 1 may be interested. He must also realise that with our strike force there is no guarantee of him being playing every week. It would be great if it came off though…

Right, let’s start diving into the new newsletter…

COYD!!

[Windlesham Don]

Of course, while talking of formations the one I’d love to see the gaffer try (but I’m not holding my breath) is a 3-5-2 as follows:
Long,
Charles, Robinson, Fuller (centre backs),
Oshilaja, Sibbick (wing backs with pace to burn),
Abdou, Trotter/Soares, Parrett (centre midfield),
Appiah/McDonald/Taylor (best pair out of 3).

IMO this would be a great and balanced team – Darius can cover Deji when he bombs on, Baz can cover Toby. Both of the wing backs have pace to burn and can run all day. Abdou sits, protecting the defence, but Parrett is allowed to play behind the front two.

We’d be certainties for the play offs!! ;o)

[Colum]

Windlesham. Who was who said, “Attack is the best form of defence”. That would be an exciting formation, but I can’t see it happening until we’re 6-0 up in a game with 10 minutes to go, or early April when we’ve nothing to play for.

[Windlesham Don]

A suspiciously quick recovery from a calf strain by Lyle Taylor? Reading between the lines there may have been something in the rumours of a falling out behind the scenes. Either they have been sorted, or he will be off within the next four weeks – let’s hope it is the former…

[Windlesham Don]

So the first day of a new season is upon us. If we can get anything out of Scunthorpe then I will see it as a bonus – they are a good side and should be in and around the playoff places come April.

The odd thing about this season is that us UK-based non-travellers will be relying on you guys for informed opinion on the game! I hope that some of you attempt to watch the game using your overseas iFollow accounts and I’d be interested in hearing whether you manage to watch successfully (I’m on hols for Pompey and Gills games and would love the option of watching from abroad…)

Today I am going for a narrow 1-0 defeat in a tight match, but hoping that the boys can prove me wrong and give us all a boost ahead of Brentford in the cup on Tuesday and an important first home league game against Shrewsbury next Saturday.

COYD!!

[Author]

Posts