The First Eleven

That would only leave us with one striker. Naismith is a trier but, in terms of skill and ability, heÂ’s shocking really.

Swap Mirallas dor Lennon? No chance.

One has a record of almost a goal every 3 starts, plus an assist every 3/4. The other, while being a good runner and hard worker, has a club record of like a goal every 8/9 and not many assists.

Lennon did decent last year, but wasnÂ’t that great, in a 3rd of his games dis almost nothing. considering the shite the team put out, he gave us a lift. But we must not over-rate the guy. Mirallas is a better (more effective) player.

Also, the game has moved past the best 11. Now its about having a first choice 17/18 at minimum, with players on the bench of equal quality as those on the pitch. And that bench of yours is very weak, with half of them likely to be injured or unfit half the season.

Fran. Both players have good points and bad points.

Mirallis is a class player with pace, skill and is a contant goal threat. If we need to score heÂ’s probably our most dangerous weapon.

On the flip side, heÂ’s not a team player and makes life difficult for Baines. In fact, before Kev ended up in front of him, Baines was the top assist player in the whole of Europe, so while weÂ’re gaining goals in one area weÂ’re losing them in the other.

Lennon is not just about Lennon. He help lift the whole squad and quickened the rhythm and tempo. When he drove forward, we all drove forward. In one particular home game he cut inside about 40 yards out and you could hear Big Dunc screaming, "Drive-Drive-Drive".

Mirallis and Lennon are two very good footballers. IÂ’ll take them both.

Mirallas would have to start for me; he is our best attacking threat. There is no way Lennon is any were near as good as Mirallas.

No chance of Roberto leaving out Barry. Roberto loves Barry and will pick him every game that heÂ’s fit. And personally IÂ’d pick Osman over Barkley, little Leon makes things happen. Why pick Barkley when the best he can offer us over the entire season is two goals and maybe one assist?

Dick, Roberto loves Barry because heÂ’s a good player. He loves him so much he played him too much when he wasnÂ’t fit last season. Barry was the big fall guy last season; needs pace and movement around him and rarely got it. I lost count of the times he looked up, saw no movement, got caught in possession, got called names by all and sundry on here. Like Baines he was played regularly when not fit and was another victim of MartinezÂ’s caution.

Shain. Martinez will not leave out Barry, especially the way things are at the back now Distin has gone. Every high diagonal ball in the direction of Stones, Jags and Howard scares me to death and Barry will often mop up.

He also supplies on-the-ground protection, often taking yellow cards as he prevents counter-attacks with a professional foul. He might be a bit slow these days but he knows the game and directs things in the centre of the park. Lots of fans donÂ’t like him but Martinez rates him highly. HeÂ’ll be in the first team.

My eleven -

Howard,
Coleman, Jags, Stones, Baines
McCarthy, Osman/Cleverley (Barry/Besic against better teams)
Deulofeu, New signing (Kagawa), Mirallas,
Lukaku

Bench: Robles, Oviedo, new CB, Cleverley/Osman, Barkley/Naismith, Barry/Besic, Kone.

Then we also have: three of the aforementioned dual options not making the squad, as well as Gibson, McGeady, Pienaar, Hibbert and younger players.

The consensus? We have far too many central midfielders (makes the Cleverley signing odd), and could do with letting one of Pienaar and McGeady go.

The Cb, and then a creative midfielder, should be our primary concerns. After that, another striker would not go amiss, but honestly I think our squad is too large anyway, and both Mirallas and Naismith could operate down the middle. IÂ’d like to see the CB and creative mid come in, and two to leave, with Garbutt going out on loan.

Forget Lennon now they have Dellboy and Mirallas down the right. ItÂ’s a guessing game what RMÂ’s preferred starting eleven will be and everyone of us has a different idea.

Barry is a good player but is getting a tad slower, hence the increasing mistimed tackles, and the same can be said of Gibson but thatÂ’s due to long layoffs due to injury. Cleverly may just be the key but in an attacking role.

If Barry is the shoe-in with Macca playing deep as last season, then the question arises who are the other two midfielders going forward? The choice is either Barkley with Cleverley or a choice of the others like Osman, Pienaar, Gibson and Oviedo etc.

I canÂ’t see much changing up front with Lukaku alongside Dellboy or Mirallas unless another striker is signed which doesnÂ’t seem likely.

Shain, "served the club well", McGeady? Kone? I donÂ’t think so... even Gibbo hasnÂ’t really, as he has had so many injuries!

Barkley canÂ’t be first choice after last season. Certainly not in the number 10 role anyway, where he offers neither goals nor assists.

I think we may play 4-5-1 this year. The midfield 3 would be Barry, McCarthy and Cleverley (Besic to deputise) with Deulofeu and Mirallas/Lennon on the wings.

Whatever we do, I hope the team is better balanced and stronger defensively than last year.

Barkley, Osman and Pienaar can be used from the bench this year. If it was up to me, IÂ’d send Barkley out on loan this year...

We canÂ’t let Kone go. HeÂ’s the only other senior recognised striker we have after Lukaku.

We are still missing a No 10 if Barkley is not ready to perform the role and Osman and Pienaar are fading. To me, this is the biggest worry. Cleverley is a good signing but not in the first XI ahead of Barry or McCarthy - and not sure if he could play in the side if those two do.

Sell Gibson? Not for me. When he came back in last season, his passing and intelligence made the difference. He does get injured too often, but one last season to see if he could pull through.

Deulofeu walks in off the back bench in Spain and gets handed a starting job?

Not in my book. The kid doesnÂ’t get a sniff of the first 11 until he EARNS it. I suspect Roberto will feel the same.

As for Osman on the bench... well, if thereÂ’s one thing we learned by the end of last season, itÂ’s that weÂ’re a much better team with him in the #10 slot... and I think neither Barkley nor Cleverley is a #10.

And No, No and No to selling Mirallas, Kone and Gibson. The former is a talent we should not give up, especially with Deulofeu unproven. And if healthy, the latter two are far more valuable for squad depth than they would ever bring in fees. McGeady will bring more and his departure wonÂ’t hurt... and Pienaar would bring... er... peanuts.

I agree on the team but not selling Mirallas. He can be a real game changer on his day and donÂ’t forget, in a team thatÂ’s short of finishers, the lad can find the back of the net.

I am not so sure on Naismith outstanding work rate but does he excite you? Does he make you feel that he can change a game? Answer no.

We all know Ross had a disappointing season last time but the lad does excite, so does Delboy. As for Pienaar, Kone,and Barry, well thank you but goodbye.