Starting 11 on Saturday?

DC won't necessarily choose this but I'd like it to be this.
Mildenhall
Leadbitter Clarke Parkes Brown (if fit)
Monakana Mansell (if fit) Lines Montano
Harrison (if fit) Easter

I would trust a penny of my hard earned money on Monakana not starting, much as we need width.

Is McChrystal definately out? Thought DC said it will be close if he makes it in time.

Is Brown out as well? Thought he was back!

I would start Mansell instead of Sinclair in CM.

Mildy --------------------------------------


------ Lockyer ------------- J.Clarke -- Parkes -----------------Brown ------



------ Monakana -------------- Lines ----- Mansell ---------------Gosling -----


------------------------------ Easter ----- Taylor ------------------------------


Subs = Preston, Sinclair, O.Clarke, Montano,Lucas, Harrison, Blissett

Yep, the title of the op is indeed correct.....I'll be starting at 11 on Saturday *hic!*

Mildy

Lockyer Clarke Parkes Brown

Montano lines Mansell Gosling

Taylor

Easter

Of the 12 of so years I've properly been following Rovers, I'd say this is easily the toughest I've found predicting the starting 11 for the opening game. On a positive note this might keep the players on their toes as well as making Chris Wilder and Northampton's preparation difficult, but on the flipside is it a concern that DC doesn't know his best team and tactical preparation isn't as sharp as it could be? I don't know.

I personally don't buy into DC's philosophy of adapting selection to suit opposition, I understand minor tweaks but this isn't the Premiership and much teams are much of a muchness. Whilst I don't want this to seem like a dig at DC as let's face it he got us up and this is a new season, I get the feeling his tinkering probably cost us more points that it won us.

In the lower leagues I personally like a 4-4-2 formation pretty much modelled on the UTD teams of the late nineties/early noughties with one flying winger (Giggs) and a more technical wide midfielder (Beckham) who can beef up the middle and cover if the full back bombs on.

It's a common argument as to whether you pick the team and mould the formation or pick the formation and mould the team, there isn't a right or wrong answer, but I feel IF fit Sinclair, Mansell and Lines all have to play. I don't think any of them are as natural as Monkhouse as playing the 'Beckham' role, but I feel this is our best option.

This isn't my prediction of DC's team, but what I would play if Mansell and Brown are fit is below. I haven't seen either of the new wingers in action, but considering I don't rate Gosling very highly I'd be inclined to gamble that at least one of them offers more than him. The only pre-season game I've attended was Mangotsfield where Harrison wasn't great and other pre-season reports haven't been favourable of him but he has to start for me. If Easter is fully fit he edges ahead of Taylor.

Mildenhall

Lockyer
J Clarke
Parkes
Brown

Gosling/Montano/Monkaka
Mansell
Lines
Sinclair

Harrison
Easter

If Brown isn't fit I'd put Leadbitter at RB, Lockyer LB. If Mansell isn't fit I'd probably be inclined to go with two out and out wingers rather than attempt the same formation above but with Ollie Clarke as the extra midfielder.

Typical....a football discussion and 1973 no where to be seen

The ECB for financial reasons are thinking of fielding an England team with less than 11 players. Only way they can think of making matches last more than 3 days. Anyone want cheap tickets for trent bridge on Sunday or Saturday?