What's our best XI?

[Hoganstolemywife]

We've quietly assembled quite a decent squad now ..what's our best XI? Current players only - no rumoured signings.

For me:
Sa (gulp)

Semedo
Collins
Dawson
Bueno

Neves
Nunes
Lemina

Podence
Cunha
Sarabia

 

[Matt]

Sa
Semedo - Collins - Dawson - RAN
Nunes - Neves
Sarabia - Cunha - Podence
Raul​

 

[Minimalist]

Depends what system we play... looks like we have a squad designed to be good in different systems, each of which would likely use different players.

I quite like the idea of a midfield 2 of Neves & Lemina .
And A fit Neto would be in my team.

 

[manchesterwolf17]

Sa

Semedo Collins Dawson Ait Nouri

Neves Lemina Nunes

Sarabia Cunha Podence

* Not necessarily in that formation. But I think those are our best 11 players.

 

[JohnB]

Not got a scooby about our best formation nor out best 11. Nor whether I want players on at start or after 60 mins...

Dawson starts? For who?
Beuno or RAN? Beuno maybe for a 4, RAN definitely for a 5.
Midfield - 3 or 2? Neves plus Nunes or Lemina? (Or Gomes...).
Forwards - Cunha, Sarabia and Podence but is Cunha better in a 2 or as a 1.

For Liverpool quite fancy

Sa
Collins Dawson Kilman
Semedo Neves Nunes RAN
Sarabia
Cunha Raul

For other games

Sa
Semedo Collins Dawson Bueno
Neves Nunes Lemina
Sarabia Cunha Podence

 

[Tring Wolf]

When everyone is fit and available…

Sa
Semedo, Collins, Dawson, RAN
Neves, Nunes
Sarabia, Cunha, Neto
Fabio

As it stands:

Sa
Semedo, Collins, Dawson, RAN
Lemina, Neves, Nunes
Sarabia, Cunha, Podence

 

[goldeneyed]

Would like to see:

Sa

Dawson Kilman Collins
Ait Nouri Lemina Neves Nunes Semedo
Cunha Jimenez

or
Sa
Bueno Dawson Collins Semedo
Lemina Neves Nunes
Podence Jimenez Cunha

 

[yorkshire wolf 1973]

Sa
Semedo , Collins , Dawson , bueno
Traore , Lemina , neves , Ait Nouri
cunha , Raul

potential
Nunes for Lemina
Podence for Cunha
Sarabia for traore / cunha
Costa for Raul
Kilman for Collins / Dawson

 

[Skrilla]

Sa
Collins Dawson Kilman
Semedo Neves Nunes Bueno
Sarabia Cunha
Jimenez
​

Feels a bit harsh to leave out Lemina, but I think this would make us a lot more solid, with Dawson as the steadying presence to marshall the back five. I think the fact we're trying to sign another midfielder suggests 4-3-3 is the blueprint, which Julen used for the majority of games at Sevilla.

I would really be interested to see the above in games against tougher opposition i.e. the top six plus possibly Brighton/Newcastle away (7 out of the 18 games left). Stay solid, give ourselves a chance on the counter against sides that will try to dominate the ball and press us high.

In the more open games, I expect our regular side will be:

Sa
Semedo Collins Kilman Bueno
Lemina Neves Nunes
Sarabia Jimenez Cunha
​

I know a lot want Podence to start, but I think he's too wasteful, and I think long term that Sarabia and Cunha will be our best outlets, while we have Podence and Neto on the bench to bring on regularly, as well as Hwang and Adama. Jimenez is the big asterisk of course, but I'll respect the 'no rumoured signings' part!

 

[WolfInSheep'sClothing]

Sa
Semedo Dawson Kilman Ait-Nouri
Sarabia Neves Nunes Podence
Raul Cunha

 

[Flea]

Of our players playing the number nine position..our number nine continues to look the most likely to actually score a couple of goals.
I don´t understand the critisism regarding Raul against City at all.
I think he is progressing,and he looks to play a little bit better each time.
As long as he stays in position and not drifting off,he looks sharper than anyone else when it comes to likeliness to score.
Cunha has never..and will never be a goalscorer of any magnitude..and Diego is so past any hills it´s ridiculous.

In summary then..Raul must be included in our best starting eleven.
At least as the land lies when this is written.

Sa
Semedo-Collins-Dawson-Bueno
Neves-Nunes
Sarabia-Cubgha-Podence
Raul

 

[Sedgers]

 

[CelebrityWolf]

Sa

Semedo Collins Dawson Ait Nouri

Neves Lemina Nunes

Sarabia Cunha Podence

* Not necessarily in that formation. But I think those are our best 11 players.

Yeah this for me but with Kilman over Dawson

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Sa

Lemina Collins Dawson RAN

Neves Gomes Nunes

Sarabia Cunha Podence

 

[Big Saft Kid]

Not a clue. A bit like JL

 

[Mile End Wanderer]

Sa
Semedo Collins Dawson Kilman Toti
Sarabia Neves Lemina Podence
Costa

Play a higher line and press more like we are

Bring Cunha, Hwang, Mouts & Raul on

Raul doesn’t offer much starting whereas Costa does so that’s a good change to make

 

[A3wolf]

A key improvement for me is we have a really strong bench now whatever the starting 11 and with 5 subs allowed this should give us a significant edge over other teams at the bottom.

 

[AlexWolvesHD]

Sa
Semedo Collins Dawson Ait-Nouri
Neves Nunes
Sarabia Cunha Podence
Jimenez

If we signed a good striker its a starting 11 that would keep us up

 

[Bryce]

Sa
Collins Dawson Kilman
Semedo Neves Nunes Bueno
Sarabia Cunha
Jimenez
​

Feels a bit harsh to leave out Lemina, but I think this would make us a lot more solid, with Dawson as the steadying presence to marshall the back five. I think the fact we're trying to sign another midfielder suggests 4-3-3 is the blueprint, which Julen used for the majority of games at Sevilla.

I would really be interested to see the above in games against tougher opposition i.e. the top six plus possibly Brighton/Newcastle away (7 out of the 18 games left). Stay solid, give ourselves a chance on the counter against sides that will try to dominate the ball and press us high.

In the more open games, I expect our regular side will be:

Sa
Semedo Collins Kilman Bueno
Lemina Neves Nunes
Sarabia Jimenez Cunha
​

I know a lot want Podence to start, but I think he's too wasteful, and I think long term that Sarabia and Cunha will be our best outlets, while we have Podence and Neto on the bench to bring on regularly, as well as Hwang and Adama. Jimenez is the big asterisk of course, but I'll respect the 'no rumoured signings' part!

Sa
Collins Dawson Kilman
Lemina Neves Nunes RAN
Sarabia Cunha
Raul/Costa

in that formation or
same as you for 4-3-3

 

[waveney wolf]

When everyone is fit and available…

Sa
Semedo, Collins, Dawson, RAN
Neves, Nunes
Sarabia, Cunha, Neto
Fabio

As it stands:

Sa
Semedo, Collins, Dawson, RAN
Lemina, Neves, Nunes
Sarabia, Cunha, Podence

Fabio... seriously..oh dear

 

[waveney wolf]

This thread just goes to show how poor our options are up front.
Sarabia getting chosen a lot , is he that good ? How was he at city ? Only seen match of the day.
5 at the back for me again...
Lopetegui in goal

Semedo Collins dawson Kilman RAN.

Lemina Neves Nunes

Podence. cuhna

 

[Bondi Wolf]

Great post!

I’m 22 replies in without any moaning. What a rarity.

 

[Dan G WWFC]

Sa
Semedo Collins Kilman Beuno
Neves Nunes
Podence Sarabia Neto
Cunha

 

[Wolf in Kenilworth]

Sa
Semedo Collins Dawson Bueno
Neves Nunes Lemina
Sarabia Cunha RAN

Good options with Kilman, Toti, Gomes, B Traore, Podence, Neto, Raul

Still short in the 9 position IMO

 

[TheConcourse]

Interested to see so many pick Hugo at LB. I think he came into the team when expectations were on the floor, did pretty well, but hasn’t really kicked on.

Ait-Nouri should be waltzing in ahead of him atm.

Sa
Semedo Collins Dawson Ait-Nouri
Neves Nunes
Sarabia Cunha Podence
Costa

 

[Wanderer Til I Die]

IMO
3-4-3

Sa

Collins
Dawson
Kilman

Semedo
Neves
Nunes
Ait-Nouri

Neto
Cunha
Podence

 

[WolfInSheep'sClothing]

Raul Cunha
Podence Neves Nunes Sarabia
Ait-Nouri Kilman Dawson Semedo
Sa

 

[dewolfman]

Sa
Semedo Collins Kilman Bueno
Chiquinho Neves Lemina Neto
Raul Cunha

Proper 90s 4-4-2 team, ave’ it!

 

[Hawkguy]

Sa
Semedo - Collins - Dawson - Bueno
Nunes - Neves
Sarabia - Cunha - Podence
Raul

But Raul is not the guy, IMO. So maybe Lemina.

 

[Mile End Wanderer]

Sa
Collins Dawson Kilman Toti
Neves Gomes Nunes
Sarabia Cunha Podence

Brexit back 4 for height could actually do a job if we don’t use wing backs can’t see why not it would offer us more threats from set pieces too

Or

Sa
Collins Dawson Kilman
Semedo Neves Gomes RAN
Sarabia Cunha Podence

Counter attacking favourite

 

[lostwolf]

Interested to see so many pick Hugo at LB. I think he came into the team when expectations were on the floor, did pretty well, but hasn’t really kicked on.

Ait-Nouri should be waltzing in ahead of him atm.

Sa
Semedo Collins Dawson Ait-Nouri
Neves Nunes
Sarabia Cunha Podence
Costa

Agree about Ait-Nouri. That midfield looks light though, especially with so many attacking players who probably won't be great at filling in there. If playing 4 at the back I'd slot a snotter of a midfielder (the new lad or Traore II) in.

The number 9 position remains an obvious issue.

 

[Sussex Wolf]

Like a few others commented, at this stage, I haven’t a clue. However what I would say is that as it stands, we have a much better squad now than we’ve had for a couple of years. Still missing a fully fit and sharp number 9, and maybe a bit more depth at RB, but that aside, we now have more depth and flexibility. The even better thing, is that we also now have a coach who like to actively use subs, so he can make use of that improved squad.

 

[Glow69]

Sa

Semedo
Collins
Dawson
Bueno

Lemina
Neves
Nunes

Sarabia
Podence

Cunha

 

[SingYourHeartsOut]

Interested to see so many pick Hugo at LB. I think he came into the team when expectations were on the floor, did pretty well, but hasn’t really kicked on.

Ait-Nouri should be waltzing in ahead of him atm.

Sa
Semedo Collins Dawson Ait-Nouri
Neves Nunes
Sarabia Cunha Podence
Costa

I love RAN, but I don't think Lopetegui trusts him as a FB. One of the first things Lopetegui said was that RAN needs to learn when to stay and when to go and he's pretty much only played WB or on the left of a front 3 since the restart. Not saying that's my view, but that's how JL sees it I think.

 

[Northampton_wolf]

Sa
Semedo Collins Dawson (Ait-Nouri once defenesively grounded/bueno)
Gomes
Neves Nunes/Traore
Sarabia Podence
Cunha

 

[OLDGOLD]

A key improvement for me is we have a really strong bench now whatever the starting 11 and with 5 subs allowed this should give us a significant edge over other teams at the bottom.

Nail on the head. I envisage lots of changes in starting line ups, formations and subs depending on how the game is going and the opposition. I think, bar an out and out striker on form, our squad is back to Nuno first premier league season standard

 

[Pseudonym]

Like a few others commented, at this stage, I haven’t a clue. However what I would say is that as it stands, we have a much better squad now than we’ve had for a couple of years. Still missing a fully fit and sharp number 9, and maybe a bit more depth at RB, but that aside, we now have more depth and flexibility. The even better thing, is that we also now have a coach who like to actively use subs, so he can make use of that improved squad.

I think this is the key point and a similar one made by others. Unlike previous managers who were reluctant to use subs, whether that be due to lack of depth or tactical hesitancy, JL has already shown his willingness to not only use all 5 subs but do so starting from half time if things aren't satisfying him.

So looking at squad depth at full strength , it's a better picture than just focusing on the XI.






Not featured:

- Booba (Could easily slot into side B)
- Sasa
- Chiquinho
- Costa
- Hodge
- Lembikisa

 

[Metal Wolf89]

I don't understand how fans can put Dawson straight into the first team as our best eleven when he hasn't even kicked a ball for us yet. Dawson was signed as experienced cover for Kilman and Collins. If he comes in and earns his spot fair play.

In relation to Sarabia he should play as a CAM, not fast enough to be effective on the wing.

 

[PortugueseTennesseeWolf]

What do you think about this lineup if we need a goal to draw or we’re going for the win.
Call it a 4132
Sa
Adama-Neves Dawson-RAN
Nunes
Sarabia Cunha. Podence
Raul. Costa

 

[TheTwoPigeons]

I think this is the key point and a similar one made by others. Unlike previous managers who were reluctant to use subs, whether that be due to lack of depth or tactical hesitancy, JL has already shown his willingness to not only use all 5 subs but do so starting from half time if things aren't satisfying him.

So looking at squad depth at full strength , it's a better picture than just focusing on the XI.


View attachment 32914

View attachment 32917

Not featured:

- Booba (Could easily slot into side B)
- Sasa
- Chiquinho
- Costa
- Hodge
- Lembikisa

This is the most squad depth I think we've had since coming up.

Arguably a better squad than Nuno's, almost certainly better when you compare the individual players.

If we can't stay up with this squad I'll be devastated.