Grapevine
Football Guru
- Joined
- May 16, 2018
- Messages
- 1,242
I think there are several things to consider.....
Oxley looks by far the popular choice to start in goal...
Elvis and Ralph pretty much pick themselves!!!
As does Milligan and from reading KBs comments Mantom.
Other than that I’d say there are lots of ifs and buts....
It’ll be two from 3 (or four if Shaughnessy signs) and Lennon looks a certain starter too, so who to partner him? Shaughnessy (if signs), Kiernan or White? Kiernan as a player, for me but KB may well go with Whites winners mentality and reliability...
I think the friendlies have shown he favours the 433 with three central midfielders so with Milligan and Mantom seemingly nailed on, had Dru done enough?
He looked full of zest at Billericay but hints of a hamstring injury at Dagenham with a possible protected 45 v Millwall and another 60 mins at Gillingham two days later haven’t been quite the same.....whereas Hyam missed much of pre season but came back and played Millwall and Gills.....my feeling is KB likes Hyam and is yet to be fully convinced by Dru....
On the day will he opt for the more solid /experienced three of Hyam, Milligan and Mantom??
In the wide areas the same can be said of McLaughlin.....he missed two weeks injured then had a less than convincing appearance v Millwall.....yet he remains a popular choice with fans who still believe he’ll find the form of two seasons ago.....Goodship and Hutchinson have both had promising pre seasons and it could be a decision based on who offers a more solid consistent performance in the heat of a first day of the season.....my feeling is going with Goodship AND Hutchinson will be seen as too much of a risk. Goodship has got the nod to start in all the “bigger” pre season games and so my guess is Macca and Goodship.....
Up front, something isnt quite right about Humphrys.....he started the games on fire but hasn’t seemed the same in sub appearances at Dagenham or Gillingham and didn’t look entirely happy v Millwall......the fact he’s away back up north at this time of season is a worry and if it’s a funeral it must be someone close (god forbid) for him to be away do more than just the actual event.....Robinson did his chances no harm at all with a couple of goals off the bench v Millwall but in truth that’s the only real contribution he’s made in pre season....
Again it may be a case of KB opting for a 100% committed and focussed Robinson.....
My feeling is this.....opening day away to to Coventry KB will happily take a point and that may be enough for him to leave anyone who is seen as a slight risk or minimal gamble to be on the bench and the side to be made up of as much experience and reliability as we have....
I expect the bench to be :-
Bishop
White
Kiernan (if Shaughnessy signs)
Hutchinson
Humphrys
Yearwood
Kelman
Oxley looks by far the popular choice to start in goal...
Elvis and Ralph pretty much pick themselves!!!
As does Milligan and from reading KBs comments Mantom.
Other than that I’d say there are lots of ifs and buts....
It’ll be two from 3 (or four if Shaughnessy signs) and Lennon looks a certain starter too, so who to partner him? Shaughnessy (if signs), Kiernan or White? Kiernan as a player, for me but KB may well go with Whites winners mentality and reliability...
I think the friendlies have shown he favours the 433 with three central midfielders so with Milligan and Mantom seemingly nailed on, had Dru done enough?
He looked full of zest at Billericay but hints of a hamstring injury at Dagenham with a possible protected 45 v Millwall and another 60 mins at Gillingham two days later haven’t been quite the same.....whereas Hyam missed much of pre season but came back and played Millwall and Gills.....my feeling is KB likes Hyam and is yet to be fully convinced by Dru....
On the day will he opt for the more solid /experienced three of Hyam, Milligan and Mantom??
In the wide areas the same can be said of McLaughlin.....he missed two weeks injured then had a less than convincing appearance v Millwall.....yet he remains a popular choice with fans who still believe he’ll find the form of two seasons ago.....Goodship and Hutchinson have both had promising pre seasons and it could be a decision based on who offers a more solid consistent performance in the heat of a first day of the season.....my feeling is going with Goodship AND Hutchinson will be seen as too much of a risk. Goodship has got the nod to start in all the “bigger” pre season games and so my guess is Macca and Goodship.....
Up front, something isnt quite right about Humphrys.....he started the games on fire but hasn’t seemed the same in sub appearances at Dagenham or Gillingham and didn’t look entirely happy v Millwall......the fact he’s away back up north at this time of season is a worry and if it’s a funeral it must be someone close (god forbid) for him to be away do more than just the actual event.....Robinson did his chances no harm at all with a couple of goals off the bench v Millwall but in truth that’s the only real contribution he’s made in pre season....
Again it may be a case of KB opting for a 100% committed and focussed Robinson.....
My feeling is this.....opening day away to to Coventry KB will happily take a point and that may be enough for him to leave anyone who is seen as a slight risk or minimal gamble to be on the bench and the side to be made up of as much experience and reliability as we have....
I expect the bench to be :-
Bishop
White
Kiernan (if Shaughnessy signs)
Hutchinson
Humphrys
Yearwood
Kelman
