Clarke's first team

[3points]

Haven't seen a thread for this yet. I'm not sure what he will do. I think he's naturally a little more cautious than Adkins.

Will we see any of our "injured" players making miraculous recoveries? Guthrie, Pog?

So my guess at a team is this - a basic 4-4-2
Feds
Gunter
Pearce
Hector
Obita

McCleary
Norwood
Williams
Taylor

Cox
Mackie

[Ian Royal]

I think the most important thing in picking a team is putting in partnerships that work well. Build your shape and style around that, melding the different partnerships across the side into a team.

Obviously I don't think many people are going to have much clue about what Clarke will go with, but following that sort of strategy and trying to sure up our defence would lead me to something like this, given who's fit.

.........................Federici
..Gunter*...Pearce..Cooper...Obita
................Hector.....Norwood
.........................Williams*
..McCleary.............................Blackman*
..........................Murray*

* These are the harder picks, because Gunter's been poor at full back and Kelly's done alright, Williams is probably lacking a bit in the goals department and leaving out Cox is harsh. Blackman's not ideal, but we don't really have a left winger anymore. Especially with HRK regressing like nobodies business. Murray isn't as mobile or quick as you'd like for a solo striker, but Cox isn't a line leader and HRK has delivered little there, although he has the size, speed and finishing if he can sort himself out.

By the end of the season with everyone fit?

........................Federici
..Gunter...Hector..Cooper...Obita
..............Karacan..Norwood
McCleary..........Cox................Mackie
.........................Murray

Although that's harsh on Williams and potentially Pearce.

Assuming Murray stays. If not oxf*rd knows as Pog is happy collecting his pay packet and is even slower and a much smaller goal threat than him. We have no one else to lead the line other than Samuel.

[mambo3]

I think the most important thing in picking a team is putting in partnerships that work well. Build your shape and style around that, melding the different partnerships across the side into a team.

Obviously I don't think many people are going to have much clue about what Clarke will go with, but following that sort of strategy and trying to sure up our defence would lead me to something like this, given who's fit.

.........................Federici
..Gunter*...Pearce..Cooper...Obita
................Hector.....Norwood
.........................Williams*
..McCleary.............................Blackman*
..........................Murray*

* These are the harder picks, because Gunter's been poor at full back and Kelly's done alright, Williams is probably lacking a bit in the goals department and leaving out Cox is harsh. Blackman's not ideal, but we don't really have a left winger anymore. Especially with HRK regressing like nobodies business. Murray isn't as mobile or quick as you'd like for a solo striker, but Cox isn't a line leader and HRK has delivered little there, although he has the size, speed and finishing if he can sort himself out.

By the end of the season with everyone fit?

........................Federici
..Gunter...Hector..Cooper...Obita
..............Karacan..Norwood
McCleary..........Cox................Mackie
.........................Murray

Although that's harsh on Williams and potentially Pearce.

Assuming Murray stays. If not oxf*rd knows as Pog is happy collecting his pay packet and is even slower and a much smaller goal threat than him. We have no one else to lead the line other than Samuel.

Leading Scorers for the Premier U21

C. Apoom of Arsenal
Ryan Seager of Southampton - 9 goals
Adil Nabi of West Brom - 7 goals
Dominic Samuel of Reading - 7 goals
Adam Armstrong of Newcastle - 5 goals
Sinan Bytyqi of Manchester City - 5 goals
Ibrahim Keita of Wolves - 5 goals
Tariqe Fosu of Reading - 5 goals
Adnan Januzaj of Manchester United - 4 goals
Chris Long of Everton - 4 goals
Elliot Lee of West Ham - 4 goals
Marcello Trotta of Fulham - 4 goals

[edinburghroyal]

I hope he drops Federici and Murray.

[sandman]

I hope he drops Federici and Murray.

Not sure why he'd drop the player of the year so far.

[MmmMonsterMunch]

I hope he drops Federici and Murray.

Not sure why he'd drop the player of the year so far.

Come on don't be silly.

[Pepe the Horseman]

He's obvs not been poty so far, but would be ridic to drop him.

[MmmMonsterMunch]

Personally I'd like to see what Andersen can do - new broom & all that. I'm sorry I don't rate Feds that much. He is ok but is just a standard chump keeper IMO.

Makes a lot of hollywood saves & makes things look more difficult than they are. His positioning can be very poor & doesn't command his area enough for me. It is what it is though & I don't hate the guy or anything. I'm sure he'll do a bit better once Clarke drills some sense into the back 4.

[Baggie192]

Haven't seen a thread for this yet. I'm not sure what he will do. I think he's naturally a little more cautious than Adkins.

Will we see any of our "injured" players making miraculous recoveries? Guthrie, Pog?

So my guess at a team is this - a basic 4-4-2
Feds
Gunter
Pearce
Hector
Obita

McCleary
Norwood
Williams
Taylor

Cox
Mackie

Can't comment on the player's, but, I doubt he'll go 4-4-2. He's fond of 4-5-1/4-3-3 so I would expect him to set up like that. anyway good luck this afternoon

[sandman]

I hope he drops Federici and Murray.

Not sure why he'd drop the player of the year so far.

Come on don't be silly.

Name someone else who has been so much better than him that the mere suggestion would make someone LOL then.

Not just my opinion, Adie agrees and has got very favourable comments on the recent TTE podcast for the way he's come back. I know you guys have this hang up for QPR's reserve keeper and because of an interview years ago but you really need to get over it.

[Ian Royal]

Cox and Norwood sandman you buffoon.

[Libertine]

Well here is what it is for his first game:

Federici; Gunter, Obita, Hector, Pearce (c), Norwood, Williams, McCleary, Blackman, Cox, Murray

Subs: Andersen, Cummings, Kelly, Cooper, Taylor, Stacey, Tanner

[Zana Badawi]

Well here is what it is for his first game:

Federici; Gunter, Obita, Hector, Pearce (c), Norwood, Williams, McCleary, Blackman, Cox, Murray

Subs: Andersen, Cummings, Kelly, Cooper, Taylor, Stacey, Tanner

That's a strong team.
And a weak bench.

[Libertine]

I would guess it is down to what he saw in training this week combined with player fitness. I like the fact that the kids made the bench. Our best form was early on this season when the kids were playing more...

[Ian Royal]

I would guess it is down to what he saw in training this week combined with player fitness. I like the fact that the kids made the bench. Our best form was early on this season when the kids were playing more...

I thought the last 10-15 we were crying out for a tricky finisher like Tanner or someone with the knack of scoring like Taylor. Probably for Blackman maybe McCleary.

Neither are starters obvs. But we were creating chances and not taking them. Then late on we were camped around a fixed defence looking for someone to take control and try to make something happen.

[Reading4eva]

I'd bring in Samuel and get rid of Murray. We don't need him and I don't really want him here. He's a washed up Championship player.

Williams and Karacan as soon as he's fit in the middle. I'd look at Tanner too