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15 into 11 wont go !

15 into 11 wont go, that?s the problem facing Moyes this week and what a problem, great to have but I suspect difficult to manage.

The 15 players at this stage who I suspect we all feel are the front runners for a starting place ? Howard, Coleman, Neville, Heitinga, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Bilyaletdinov, Arteta, Fellaini, Pienaar, Cahill, Rodwell, Saha and Beckford.

Let's start with the shoo-in?s: Howard, Jags, Distin, Baines, Arteta, Pinnear, and Cahill and lets assume Moyes will play his favoured 4:1:3:1:1.

So who plays right back ? Coleman or Captain Neville?
So who plays the defensive midfielder ? Fellaini or Heitinga or Neville?
So who plays wide right ? Bily or er... Bily? So Bily?s in?
So who plays the lone striker ? Saha or Beckford?

I suspect that Moyes won't bite the bullet and play Coleman (just yet), he won't play Jags and Heitinga together at the back (too small a pairing) and won't play Beckford just yet.

So I suspect, injuries permitting, Moyes will play the following team at Blackburn ?

Howard
Neville, Jags, Distin, Baines
Heitinga (because Fellaini just returning after 6 months)
Bily, Arteta, Pinnear
Cahill
Saha

Subs: Mucha, Coleman, Rodwell, Fellaini, Beckford , Gueye, and Osman

The real fans' dilemma I believe is that Moyes has given Coleman and Beckford plenty of match time to demonstrate to him they can perform (and they can) but I really can't see him leaving Neville out and he?ll go to Saha as the real class act when he?s on form.

Whatever way you look at it , it really finally looks like a team/squad to challenge the top places. We still have Yak, Anichebe, Vaughan, chomping at the bit in the background as well.
Mike Oates, South Coast Posted 06/08/2010 at 22:26:10

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David Pearl
1 Posted 07/08/2010 at 15:53:43

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Howard, Mucha, Neville, Yobo, Hibbert, Jagielka, Baines, Distin, Coleman, Osman, Cahill, Arteta, Fellaini, Pienaar, Bilyaletdinov, Rodwell, Gueye, Yakubu, Saha, Beckford, Mustafi

This is the squad for Germany - however next week we need a team of 11 and 7 subs... so that means that 3 players from the above will miss out - including Silva!

Mustafi will be one of them - but try picking the other 2 out - aint it hard!!!"""

COYB

Stan Sheppard
2 Posted 07/08/2010 at 15:53:37

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Hi Mike,

I agree with your line up for Blackburn but I wouldn't be surprised to see big Vic in for Bily and the Yak having a place on the bench somewhere.

The good thing is that we have so many options. I think our strongest back 4 is Pip, Jags, Jonny and Bainsey but we have a fair bit of cover with the exception of left back.

Midfield brings up a multitude of options however the likes of Cahill, Arteta, Fellaini and Pienaar must start the season as shoe ins. Rodwell could establish a place but will probably start as an impact sub. Bily looked better in pre season when coming central were as young Gueye also looked good playing wide.

Beckford the Yak and Saha will be vying for that lone striker slot with Beckford surely getting a chance to stake a claim as Saha will pick up a knock at some point. 3 into one doesn't go and hopefully they will push each other to better things. However with a bit more quality it does give us the option to go two up top.

A bit of a selection headache for DM, which given recent seasons can only be a good thing!

Dick Anderson
3 Posted 07/08/2010 at 16:08:17

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I'd be very surprised if Bilyaletdinov started. He's looked off the pace in the friendlies even though he has scored a couple of goals. My guess for the team is this:-

Howard
Neville - Jagielka - Distin - Baines
Heitinga
Arteta - Rodwell - Pienaar
Cahill
Saha

When Fellaini gets his fitness back he'll replace Heitinga in midfield. Heitinga will probably move back and partner Jags in defence.

Colin Taylor
4 Posted 07/08/2010 at 16:39:04

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Distin a shoo-in?!? You're having a laugh... Heitinga and Jagielka will be first choice and Fellaini is a shoo-in once fit. And I would have Yakubu over Saha any day.

Joeynkoo Ludden
5 Posted 07/08/2010 at 16:43:24

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Aren't we all moving to the 4-2-3-1 formation? I'd play:
Mucha
Coleman - Jags - Heitinga - Baines
Fellaini - Rodwell
Arteta - Cahill - Pienaar
Saha

Of course DM will stick with the usual suspects, Howard, Neville, Yobo and probably Osman, Bily and the Yak too.

Ernie Baywood
6 Posted 07/08/2010 at 18:13:57

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I'll guess at:

Howard
Hibbert Jags Distin Baines
Bily Arteta Neville Cahill Pienaar
Saha

Too soon for Heitinga or Fellaini. Osman may get the right side instead of Bily.

I don't agree with it but that's what I think we'll get.

John Talbot
7 Posted 07/08/2010 at 21:49:21

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It is nice to have a choice in most positions, He will play Neville before Hibbert it is the only place to play him with the midfield as it is.....COYB

Stewart Littler
8 Posted 08/08/2010 at 01:02:52

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100% with Ernie. Subs of Mucha, Heitinga, Rodwell, Osman, Fellaini, Beckford, Yakubu. No place IMO for Coleman, Yobo, Gueye, Anichebe, Vaughan or Silva. After 3 or 4 games, I will hope that Fellaini and Heitinga come in for Neville and Distin, and then I'll be pretty happy.

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