Starting XI v Wigan

[Optimist]

-------------Federici-------------
Gunter-Pearce-Morrison-Obita
-------------Hector---------------
Mackie-----Taylor---RobsonKanu
--------------Cox------------------
----------Pogrebnyak------------

Subs: McCarthy, Ferdinand, Cummings, Edwards, Akpan, Tshibola, Blackman

[paultheroyal]

.................McCarthy
..Gunter, Pearce, Hector, Obita
............Karacan, Williams
McCleary........Cox.............Mackie
...............Pogrenbnyak.

Sus: Federici, Kelly, Morrison, Guthrie, Blackman, Robson-Kanu, Tshibola

Assuming we complete the signings and we can get the squad fit... that's pretty awesome at this level.

What the oxf*rd is this?

[P!ssed Off]

The last shred of Ian's credibility, going down the toilet, is what it is.

[Pepe the Horseman]

He's drunk guys, let him live a little.

[Ian Royal]

I'm assuming that's your ideal line-up Ian, seeing as most of that squad is crocked.

Yeah, seemed appropriate dumping it here rather than starting a new thread.

[paultheroyal]

I'm assuming that's your ideal line-up Ian, seeing as most of that squad is crocked.

Yeah, seemed appropriate dumping it here rather than starting a new thread.

[St. Brynjar]

So right now it looks something like:

--------------------------------McCarthy----------------------------

Gunter(c)---------Pearce---------------Morrison-----------Obita

---------------------Akpan-----------------Hector--------------------

Blackman----------------------Taylor------------------------Cox

----------------------------------Pog--------------------------------

Subs: Feds, Kuhl, Cummings, Edwards, Tanner, Tshibola, Samuel

We'll do well to keep it below 4.

[genome]

I think we should start with a front three of Blackman Cox Cummings.




I don't get it

[SCIAG]

I'd like to see Kuhl, it'd be a miracle if we got anything from Wigan anyway so nothing to lose.

We have next to no chance in getting anything away against Wigan whether we play Kuhl or Akpan, and for that reason I would play Akpan.

Maybe Akpan is approaching this new season with a bit of confidence, and the determination to perform better than last season.
And you want to snub him in the very first game for a player 4 and a half years his junior who's never played a competitive game of football?

I'm seriously no great fan of Akpan, but overlooking him in CM for a CB and an 18 year old in the very first game will truly set the scene for another disappointing season for our Hope.
Give him at least one chance ffs.

No reason at all to chuck Kuhl in at the deep end at the DW. Let him get his full Reading debut at home against L2 opposition on Tuesday night in the cup.
If Akpan is shite against Wigan and Kuhl shines against Newport then there'll be a decision to make for Ipswich (H), a game that is actually winnable.

This is a thoroughly sensible post. It will look silly when King Kuhl leads us to a romping victory at the DW. However, I agree that starting Akpan is probably a good idea.

Final team from me:

McCarthy; Gunter, Pearce (c), Hector, Obita; Kuhl, Akpan; Blackman, Cox, Taylor; Pogrebnyak
Subs: Feds, Morrison, Kelly, Tshibola, Tanner, Edwards, Samuel

There's a case for Edwards ahead of Taylor (so we can play with two wingers) or Cox (for the extra defensive solidarity we would get from playing Taylor in the middle). In that case, drop Tanner or Samuel for Stacey.

[Plymouth_Royal]

Not necessarily my favoured choice but this what I think Adkins will do.

........................McCarthy.......................

Gunter......Morrison......Pearce........Cummings

.....................Hector...........................

..............Akpan.......................................

Taylor...............................,.........Obita....
.............................Cox................

.........................Pog.........................

Subs. Fed, Edwards, Kuhl, Tanner, Tshibola, Sweeney, Blackman.

[mikey0406]

I personally think that on pre-season form, Blackman should start the game tomorrow...

....now off for a lie down and a thermometer

[Royal Ginger]

I'd put Cox and Mackie (if registered in time) on the bench and go with Edwards and Blackman. The only way we're going to avoid a heavy defeat is if everyone's versed in the defensive routines.

[leww_rfc]

No Mackie this weekend, slight strain according to the OS.

Agree about Blackman starting though, lets see if that pre-season has given him some confidence.

[shaka's shorts]

Feds
Gunt. Pearce. Morro. Obita
Hector. Akpan. Taylor.
Cox. Pog. Blackman

Subs. Anderson, Cummings. Sweeney. Kuhl. Edwards. Tanner. Tshibola

I believe McCarthy could have an injury

[loyalroyal4life]

.................McCarthy
..Gunter, Pearce, Hector, Obita
............Karacan, Williams
McCleary........Cox.............Mackie
...............Pogrenbnyak.

Sus: Federici, Kelly, Morrison, Guthrie, Blackman, Robson-Kanu, Tshibola

Assuming we complete the signings and we can get the squad fit... that's pretty awesome at this level.

What the oxf*rd is this?

[UpThePrem]

Line up:

Federici;
Gunter (c), Pearce, Morrison, Cummings
Hector, Obita, Edwards, Taylor,
Blackman,
Pogrebnyak

Surprised with Cummings getting a starting place.

Not sure on the formation but thinking it could be 4,4,1,1 or even 5,3,1,1

[St. Brynjar]

This is not going to end well.

[genome]

.................McCarthy
..Gunter, Pearce, Hector, Obita
............Karacan, Williams
McCleary........Cox.............Mackie
...............Pogrenbnyak.

Sus: Federici, Kelly, Morrison, Guthrie, Blackman, Robson-Kanu, Tshibola

Assuming we complete the signings and we can get the squad fit... that's pretty awesome at this level.

Nailed it

[P!ssed Off]

This will be the formation:

.................Federici
Gunter (c), Pearce, Morrison, Cummings
..............Hector, Obita,
.......Edwards, Taylor, Blackman,
..............Pogrebnyak


Not too surprised. This was the team that played well just after HT against Wycombe and me and my mate agreed at the time that this was probably the team that should play the opening game.

Though personally I might have given Akpan a chance and kept Obita at left back to prepare for the long term.

[Royal Ginger]

I would have thought Taylor would be next to Hector with Obita on the wing and Blackman playing off of Pog.