Reading vs Stoke - Matchday squad

[Dare to Dr£am]

Based on what we have (I expect a striker to come in yet)


-------------------------- Federici --------------------------

Gunter -------- Mariappa --------- Pearce -------- Harte

Kebe --------- Gutheie ------- --- Karacan ----- McAnuff

-------------- Pogrebnyak ------- Le Fondre --------------

[USA_Loyal_Royal]

....................feds..............................
gunter....gorkss.....pearce.....harte............
kebe.....karacan(if fit)....guthrie.....mcanuff
................alfie.....pog.........................

[windermere_royal]

....................feds..............................
gunter....gorkss.....pearce.....harte............
kebe.....karacan(if fit)....guthrie.....mcanuff
................alfie.....pog.........................

what a waste of time signing 6 players.

[USA_Loyal_Royal]

....................feds..............................
gunter....gorkss.....pearce.....harte............
kebe.....karacan(if fit)....guthrie.....mcanuff
................alfie.....pog.........................

what a waste of time signing 6 players.

the plan is for our players who won last year to be given a chance to perform in the prem, much like norwich and swansea. i was also under the impression that a lot of our signings were meant to challenge our starters and keep everyone hungry. i think the partnership of gorkks/pearce was too good last year for mariappa to immediately get in the squad. id prefer harte over shorey atm, however i do believe shorey could be the starter in the near future if he proves himself. mccleary isnt good enough to challenge mcanuff or kebe atm. pog, guthrie, and gunter will all go immediately in imo. i believe that covers everyone, point is now we have solid backup and depth that will keep us up this season. we can add more starters next season if we stay up.

[Broxroyal]

Federici

Cummings
Pearce
Gorkss
Shorey

Kebe
Guthrie
Leigertwood
McAnuff

Hunt
Pogrebnyak

Bench:

McCarthy
Gunter
Mariappa
McCleary
Tabb
Le Fondre
Church

Assuming Karacan not fully match fit.

[USA_Loyal_Royal]

Federici

Cummings
Pearce
Gorkss
Shorey

Kebe
Guthrie
Leigertwood
McAnuff

Hunt
Pogrebnyak

Bench:

McCarthy
Gunter
Mariappa
McCleary
Tabb
Le Fondre
Church

Assuming Karacan not fully match fit.

?????why would cummings start over gunter????

[Ian Royal]

I doubt this is what we'll see but I'd personally play:

...................Federici
...Gunter..Marriapa..Gorkss..Shorey
Kebe*........Guthrie..Ledge.......McAnuff
................Pog.....Le Fondre

Taylor, Pearce, Harte, Karacan**, McCleary, Hunt, Church

* McCleary in for Kebe if he's not fit and HRK to the bench.
** Tabb in for Karacan if he's not fit.

I've highlighted the two that I think'll be the differences for our actual team based on the current squad.

[CayeneMatt]

The same back 4 have earned the right to start, although Gunter for Cummings is the most obvious headache for BM in this department.

Can't see why Shorey should start in front of Harte, unless Harte's form goes in to free fall like it did last year, although ultimately I can see them splitting it 50/50 over the course of the season.

If Ledge and Jem are fit, I think they will start against Stoke.

The most interesting selection battle is surely between Pog and Roberts for the Sunderland game, assuming that they won't/can't play together.

[Royal Ginger]

The same back 4 have earned the right to start, although Gunter for Cummings is the most obvious headache for BM in this department.

Can't see why Shorey should start in front of Harte, unless Harte's form goes in to free fall like it did last year, although ultimately I can see them splitting it 50/50 over the course of the season.

If Ledge and Jem are fit, I think they will start against Stoke.

The most interesting selection battle is surely between Pog and Roberts for the Sunderland game, assuming that they won't/can't play together.

I don't see why they couldn't play together, and i'm not sure i agree with the key inter-squad battles. For me, it's the Marriappa/Gorkss/Pearce battle that'll be the most difficult. After that it's finding the right place for Hunt.

[LJ]

Federici
Gunter
Shorey
Pearce
Marriapa
Guthrie
Leigertwood
McCleary
McAnuff
Pogrebnyak
Hunt

Bench:
McCarthy
HRK
Tabb
Gorkks
Kebe (if fit)
Church

ALF

can`t understand all this Pearce before Gorkks rubbish for the life of me.

Didn't win player of the season ahead of gorkss for nothing.

[bracksroyal10]

I think Pearce scored too many goals in and around set plays for him not to start. His aerial threat from set plays will be crucial to us this season especially if we are in games where we are likely to be pegged back for the majority of the match most likely top 4 team matches.

However think Kasper should be given the chance to prove his PL worth that he never got when he was with QPR. I imagine we will stick to a 4-4-2 for the majority of the season. The only games I can see us changing this are Man City/Utd games where it is likely we will be overwhelmed unless we put more bodies on at the back.

[SWLR]

Good thread. But in essence: there is competition for every position.